Walking is one of the best exercises there is, as long as you do it the right way. According to research, it’s one of the most effective ways to lose weight. But not all walks are created equal. In some instances, you may lose more weight than you expected, while in others, you may not lose at all. That’s what makes this type of exercise so difficult. That’s why we’re only going to focus on the former: those instances where you may lose more weight while walking. So if you’re looking for a way to quickly shed those extra pounds, try taking on a 5K walk a day for a week. You may just find that it’s the key to your weight loss success.
The Science Behind Walking
Walking is not a new phenomenon. We’ve been doing it for centuries now. And while there are those who will argue that walking is not an efficient form of transportation, it’s still one of the best things we have at our disposal as humans. There are many reasons why walking is so good for our bodies, but let’s discuss the primary one: it burns calories. A 2015 study from the University of Alabama found that walking is one of the most effective ways to lose weight, and it has essentially the same effect on the human body as a full-body workout. That means if you want to shed those extra pounds, walking is a great way to do it. If you add a bit more spice to your routine, you may even learn to like it!
The key takeaway from this study, aside from the fact that walking is extremely effective for weight loss, is that there is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to getting in shape. We’re all individuals, and we all have different needs. What may be a fit for one person may not be suitable for another. That’s why we need to find what works for us individually, rather than blindly following a fad or a trend.
How to Lose Weight While Walking
So if you’re serious about losing weight, you may want to consider taking up walking as part of your regimen. But just because walking is good for weight loss, that doesn’t mean it’s easy to do. There are many things you need to keep in mind if you want to lose weight while taking a walk. Let’s discuss the primary ones.
Walking Is Good For Your Body
The first and most important thing you need to do if you want to lose weight while taking a walk is to make sure that you walk. You can’t have an effective walk if you don’t actually walk at all, can you? Walking at a moderate pace for about an hour a day will help you shed those extra pounds. If you add another hour or so to that session, you may see significant weight loss benefits. If it’s been a while since you’ve walked, then start out easy. Take it step by step. Begin with 10 minutes of easy walking and see how you feel after that. If you still feel great, add another 10 minutes and so on. You don’t want to hurt yourself. Going from zero to 60 in a heartbeat can do that.
Eat Healthy Foods
One of the things that made the 2015 study so effective when it comes to weight loss while walking is the fact that the participants had a healthy diet. They ate plenty of vegetables and fruits, and they limited their intake of salty foods and highly processed foods. If you want to lose weight, make sure that your diet is as healthy as possible. Avoid foods with added sugar, and you’ll be on your way to a slimmer you. Fad diets that promise quick results may have worked for others, but they never worked for me. If a diet works for you, stick to it, and you may just find that it’s the key to your weight loss success.
Take It Easy
If you’ve been working hard all summer, don’t feel bad about taking it easy during the winter months. Your body needs to rest and recover, so you might want to scale back your activity levels. That doesn’t mean that you have to lay low. You can still participate in some form of physical activity, even if it’s something as simple as taking a stroll or going for a hike. Find something that you enjoy, and you may just find that it’s the key to your weight loss success.
Walking Is Fun
If you take a hike with a friend, or if you go for a bike ride with a co-worker, it’s fun. Walking alone, however, is fun too. You may find that you enjoy the solitude of a solo walk and the opportunity to clear your head and relax. If you want to lose weight, you may want to consider taking a walk alone. It’s a great way to meet new people, too, as you’ll be bound to encounter others while you’re out and about.
The Best Time For A Walk
Try to schedule your walks for the early morning or late evening hours, as that’s when you’ll likely encounter the least amount of people. This will give you the opportunity to tune out the outside world and enjoy the fresh air. While a bright spring day is glorious, with sunshine and birdsong as your walking companions, an overcast winter’s day with a hint of rain or snow is beautiful too. If you want to lose weight, avoid taking walks during the hottest hours of the day. This helps avoid any overexertion and keeps your body at its ideal temperature range. Overnight walks may be more comfortable too. This is when your body temperature naturally drops, making it a more suitable time for a stroll. If you frequently find yourself waking up early in the morning, then consider setting your alarm a little earlier so that you can take a walk before work. It’s amazing what a little bit of activity can do for your mood!
If you want to lose weight, then walking may just be the answer that you’ve been looking for. Studies have shown that it’s one of the most effective ways to shed extra pounds, and it has essentially the same effect on the human body as a full-body workout. So if you want to try it, just make sure that you do so in a safe manner and keep in mind all the tips and tricks that we’ve discussed above. You may find that it’s the key to your weight loss success.