The Simple Solution for Weight Loss: Why Walking May Be More Effective Than You Think

When I was first getting into this field and walking would get brought up, I use to scoff and think this exercise does absolutely nothing. I learned that not only is this exercise underrated, but you need to include it to get to your goals. When we think of exercise, we often picture intense workouts that leave us sweaty and out of breath. However, we often overlook one of the simplest and most effective forms of exercise: walking. Walking is a low-impact, accessible exercise that offers numerous health benefits. In fact, walking may just be the most underrated exercise out there.

Someone who strength trains for an hour during the day but doesn't move that much in between might not get to their results as quickly as someone who walks more frequently. You workout for an hour but there are about 15 more waking hours in the day, and getting all those extra steps in makes a huge difference. Your overall calorie burn throughout the day matters greatly. It seems so simple and easy, but just because an exercise doesn't make you sweat or get you out of breath doesn't mean it's not doing anything for you. In fact, for some people walking instead of doing high intensity, HIIT exercises, or constant running might get you to your goals more efficiently. I'll explain why.

Walking is also a great way to reduce stress and improve mental health. For this reason, is why it can be more efficient than HIIT for some people. Someone who is overly stressed would have chronically high levels of cortisol (the stress hormone). Doing a stressful high intensity workout in addition to being overly stressed through your job or something else will result in chronically high levels of cortisol, making it very hard for you to lose weight or can lead to other health issues. So, it can help decrease those cortisol levels and help optimize your hormones, which are extremely important for weight loss. Walking outdoors can help you feel more connected to nature, which has also been shown to improve mood and reduce stress levels. Walking is also a great way to clear your mind and get some much-needed alone time.

One of the best things about walking is that it is accessible to almost everyone. Unlike other forms of exercise that require special equipment or gym memberships, all you need for walking is a comfortable pair of shoes. You can walk almost anywhere, whether it's in your neighborhood, at the park, or on a treadmill. Walking is a great way to improve cardiovascular health. If you don't enjoy long distance running, like myself, walking gives you similar benefits and can even be more beneficial than running for hours. Regular walking can help lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease. Walking also helps to improve circulation, which is essential for overall health and wellness. So, if you're not a member of a gym or just getting into exercise don't underestimate the benefits of walking. A good goal is aiming for 8,000 steps each day. That would make a big difference in your health if you are someone who doesn't reach that step count.