Walking For Weight Loss

Walking, we can all do it!

It is free, simple and a fantastic way to get activity into your day, assist with weight loss and become healthier along the way!

Often, we don’t see walking as a ‘proper’ form of exercise, but a decent walk has amazing benefits and can boost stamina, burn off calories and make your heart healthier too.

Where to start with walking

When you’re thinking of adding more walking to your daily routine, the best place to start is with a decent, comfortable pair of trainers that support your feet and, most importantly, don’t give you blisters!

If you’ve not walked long distances before, or it’s been a while since you’ve done activity or exercise, start with a smaller, brisk walk and work your way up to longer distances.

When looking at how ‘briskly’ you should walk, about 3mph is considered quick and you should be slightly out of breath and your heart rate should be increased from its normal resting rate, in order to feel the aerobic benefits.

How to incorporate walking into your life

When you’re looking to get more walking into your life, the best way is to try and incorporate it into activities or things you already do.

Ways you can look to add more walking to your routine include:

• Using the stairs at home or work
• Walking short distances instead of driving
• Walking the kids to school
• Going for a stroll with a loved one
• Walking your journey (or part of it!) to work
• Finding local places to visit where walking is part of the fun

But what are the benefits of walking?

It helps with weight loss

Did you know that a quick-paced, 30-minute walk can burn over 200 calories?

Over time, walking regularly will help burn more calories and in turn, help you to lose weight supporting your weight loss diet and leading you to greater success!

Helps your heart

When doing regular, brisk walks, you can significantly help your heart and cardiovascular capacity.

Regular walking has show to help prevent heart disease, lower your blood pressure and strengthen the heart as a muscle.

Boost your mood

Just like with other aerobic activities, walking releases endorphins – your happy hormones! Endorphins trigger positive feelings in the body, similar to euphoria, meaning your mood is lifted and you have a overall better sense of well-being.

Strengthens your muscles

This one is fairly obvious, but walking is a great way to tone your leg muscles and, in some cases even your abs.

As well as this, if you’re really speeding along, and swinging your arms, you may notice them toning up too!

Helps to improve your sleep

Having regular exercise, including walking, can improve your sleep and therefore, your overall well-being.

Studies have shown that those who are poorly rested, tend to eat more and make poorer food choices as a result due to being tired and making convenient, less-healthy decisions when it comes to eating.

When you're tired, do you find you eat less healthily?