It is no secret that walking is one of the best ways to lose weight. Studies have shown that it’s not only beneficial for the human body, but for the environment as a whole. The American Institute of Stress tells us that spending just 30 minutes a day on their feet can reduce their cortisol levels by as much as 60%. What is more is that exercising naturally decreases the levels of the hormone that causes us to store more fat. Cortisol is a hormone that the body produces when under stress. The lower your cortisol levels, the more “available” fat you are able to use.
How far should you walk? This question has plagued weight watchers and joggers alike. It is well established that the number of steps taken per day can affect weight loss. However, the scientific community is still trying to answer the question of how many miles to walk or how many calories to expend on a daily basis in order to lose weight. As the perfect metabolism trainer, Healthline tells us that there is no strict guideline to follow in terms of the distance walked or calories burned. Instead, it depends on your weight loss goal and current physical condition.
The recommended daily amount of calories you should be consuming depends on your weight. If you are currently at a healthy weight, you should be expending fewer calories than you consume. Begin by looking at how much energy you need to maintain your current weight. For example, if you need 3,000 calories to stay at your current weight, you should be taking at least 9 miles per day to achieve your goals. Remember, it is recommended that you walk at a slow pace in order to increase the amount of calories you are expending. The amount of calories you need to maintain your weight will increase or decrease depending on whether you are gaining or losing weight.
If you are underweight, you should be looking to increase the amount of calories you are eating. The amount of energy you need to maintain a low body weight depends on various variables, the most important of which is your activity level. The calories you need to maintain a low body weight can be determined by subtracting your activity level from the number of calories you need to eat daily. Your ideal activity level depends on the number of calories you need to maintain your current weight. For example, if you need 2,000 calories a day to maintain your current weight, you should be doing at least 2,000 calories worth of exercise per day. Studies have shown that most people who are underweight have a significantly lower metabolic rate than those who are of normal weight. The faster you can increase your basal metabolic rate, the more weight you will be able to lose.
When you start losing weight, you should continue to increase the distance you walk each day. However, this increase should be gradual. After you have reached your desired weight, you should continue to walk at the same low intensity as before in order to maintain your health and metabolism. If you drastically increase the intensity at which you walk after you have lost a certain amount of weight, you may end up overshooting your goal and putting yourself in more obesity-related ailments. What is more, a significant increase in calories burned can cause you to gain weight again if you are not careful.
The Best Walking Gear
While there is no strict guideline as to how many miles to walk per day in order to lose weight, you should be getting some exercise anyway. There are a few things you should keep in mind when selecting the gear you will need to hike around the city or countryside. The first thing to keep in mind is the surface you will be walking on. Asphalt, concrete, and marble are all bad news, especially if you are putting a lot of pressure on the joints. Wood and gravel are the preferred surfaces, as they absorb the impact of your steps and prevent it from being transferred to your joints. If you are unable to choose between these two options, choose wood, as it is the healthy alternative. If you are in a big city and need to walk on concrete, try to find a cracked surface or a parking lot with a lot of gravel on it. This is the best option for you because it allows you to move around with less stress on your joints and gives you more freedom of movement.
A second factor to consider is the climate you are in. If you are in an extremely cold place, like the North Pole or the upper reaches of the Arctic Circle, you should select warmer gear which helps your body stay warm. You should also pick hiking boots that are insulated and cushioned to prevent your feet from getting cold. What is more, if you are in a really cold place, you should also pick some sort of gloves to keep your hands warm. Thin gloves are best for this purpose, as they keep your hands at the optimal temperature. When choosing gear for a hike, it is also important to look at what type of clothing or accessories you will need. For example, if you are going into the wilderness and plan to stay overnight, you will need some sleeping gear. This includes a sleeping mat, a sleeping bag, a camping mattress, and a headlamp. If you are a female and are planning to go on a hike with your girlfriends, you will need outfits that are comfortable and secure enough to keep you covered in case you get wet. This also includes proper hiking boots and raincoats. If you are a male and are going on a hike with your dad, you will need a jacket and a tie to keep him warm and secure. Remember, this is just a small fraction of the items you will need for a successful hike. When selecting the gear you will need for your walk, make sure to purchase quality items that will serve you well for many years of use. This should not be something that is just worn once and then thrown away like most people do with their clothes these days.
The Most Popular Hiking Destinations
While there is no strict guideline as to how many miles to walk per day to lose weight, you should be getting some exercise anyway. There are a few places around the world that people go to for their walks. If you have hiked before and have a good idea of what places you like, you can select some of the most popular hiking destinations and plan your next trip. In the following list, we will discuss the top 10 most popular hiking destinations, which one are you most excited about visiting next?
Argentina: Backcountry Walks, Lakes, and Glaciers
Located in the southern part of South America, the world’s eighth-largest country prides not only on its exquisite wine and barbecue, but also on its spectacular geography. Traveling there is not only about finding a walk you can do, but also about discovering a new culture. The country’s magnificent geography ranges from the Andes Mountains in the north to the Lakes District in the south. One of the best things about Argentina is that the climate is perfect for walking – no other country in the world can compare. The longest continental mountain range on Earth is found in Argentina, which spans across the country for over 3,000 kilometers. A lot of the walking trails in the region are well marked and have been maintained by the government agency, Province of Buenos Aires, which makes the whole process of finding a walk much easier. There are also a lot of lakes you can explore, some of which are quite large, like San Antonio de Yrbayes. If you are a fisherman, you can also go on a fishing trip on one of the many Argentinean lakes. The geography of the country is spectacular, and seeing the Andes mountain range from the inside is an unforgettable experience. Getting lost in a city is one thing, but getting lost in the wilderness is another. It’s an experience you will never forget. With more than 60 kilometers of coastline, Argentina is truly paradise for water sports enthusiasts.
Chile: The Lakes District and the San Juan Islands
Bordering with Argentina, Chile is located in the southern part of South America. Its capital city, Santiago, is one of the most beautiful in the world. Not only is it a hub for culture and history, but it also has a very unique geography. The largest lake in the area is called the Laguna de Guadalupe, and it is surrounded by volcanoes and lush forests. This makes it a haven for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts. There are also over 200 kilometers of coastline, with some of the most exclusive beaches found along that coastline. You can also go on a cruise ship around some of the islands in the region, like the San Juan Islands, and see the jagged peaks of the Andes mountain range from on deck. The islands also have some of the finest wineries in the world, which you can visit after your cruise. An absolute must-see for any tourist in Chile is the country’s largest copper mine, for which the country is named. Tourists have the unique opportunity to wander around inside the mine and see the modern-day miners working hard to bring the copper to the surface. If you visit the area in the winter, you will have the opportunity to walk along with the miners and get a firsthand look at this fascinating process.