Walking is one of the most popular leisure activities globally, with an estimated 3.7 billion individuals participating in some form of walking each year. More individuals are walking than ever before, with 75% of the world’s population identifying some form of physical activity as a necessary part of their daily routine.
Walking is a great way to destress and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Emerging research suggests that a 30-minute stroll may be all you need to help combat those holiday weight-gain bulges and get back on track with your goal weight. If you’re looking to shed some pounds, it might be worthwhile to consider giving it a try.
The Evidence Behind Walking as a Weight Loss Strategy
Walking is not a new concept. Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, credited walking with helping to improve his patients’ health. Since then, the practice of walking as a therapeutic intervention has grown exponentially, with modern research now validating the health benefits of walking. Emerging research suggests that a physically active lifestyle may help to prevent type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and certain kinds of cancer.
Walking is a low-cost and easy way to get active, and it’s something that anybody can do – even if they don’t have the time to commit to a structured exercise routine. You don’t need any special equipment to walk, and you don’t need to have any previous experience to get started.
If you’re looking to shed some pounds, walking is a viable option. You don’t need to go overboard and commit to a strenuous exercise routine, looking for the best walking shoes for weight loss instead, as there are plenty of low-cost options available that will enable you to get the benefits of walking without risking injury.
The Emerging Evidence That May Suggest 30 Minutes a Day, Or Less, Is The Optimal Walking Interval For Weight Loss
Walking is a simple, easy way to get active, and it’s something that anybody can do – even if they don’t have the time to commit to a structured exercise routine. You don’t need any special equipment to walk, and you don’t need to have any previous experience to get started.
Emerging research now suggests that prolonged walking may not be beneficial for weight loss. A 2017 study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology investigated whether or not there’s a particular optimal walking duration for weight loss, and whether or not this differs for men and women. This randomized clinical trial included more than 5,000 adults from the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico, with participants assigned to one of three groups: 10 minutes per day, 20 minutes per day, or 30 minutes per day. After four years, the individuals who walked for the shortest amount of time (10 minutes per day) had the largest average weight loss, with men in the group losing 3.4 pounds and women losing 2.9 pounds.
While this study was limited to North American populations, it does suggest that the practice of walking for 30 minutes per day, or longer, may not be the best way to go about losing weight. Instead, it may be better to walk for a shorter time interval, since there are likely other factors at play beyond just the amount of time that you spend on your feet.
Why Is Walking Beneficial For Your Health?
Walking is one of the most popular leisure activities globally, with an estimated 3.7 billion individuals participating in some form of walking each year. More individuals are walking than ever before, with 75% of the world’s population identifying some form of physical activity as a necessary part of their daily routine.
Walking is a great way to destress and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Emerging research suggests that a 30-minute stroll may be all you need to help combat those holiday weight-gain bulges and get back on track with your goal weight. If you’re looking to shed some pounds, it might be worthwhile to consider giving it a try.