Walking to lose weight is one of the best ways to start losing weight. Walking is not only good for weight loss; there are also amazing benefits for mental health.
If you have not tried to lose weight before, try this year and realize all the fantastic benefits that walking to lose weight can offer!
The benefits of walking for weight loss
Everyone can go for weight loss! This is a great way to lose weight and keep it off, because it’s not a fad or an unsustainable exercise plan. As for the equipment, you only need a comfortable pair of shoes and clothes for running or walking.
Physical benefits
Walking is a low impact activity. This makes it a safe activity for people who struggle to run, are easily injured or are overweight. Walking most often burns fat when performed for more than 30 minutes. Walking to lose weight can even improve your cholesterol levels!
Check out this calorie burn calculator to see how many calories you burn in an activity.
Mental health benefits
Walking for weight loss has proven benefits for mental health[1]. Was there a stressful day at work? Take a 30-minute walk and feel the stress melt away. Children and your partner’s nerves? Go for a walk and reset your mind by taking care of your body. Play a podcast, listen to music, listen to an audiobook and get even more mental health benefits!
How to go for weight loss
Walking to lose weight is easier than you think. You can start by estimating how much you are currently walking or doing other physical activities and then strive to add another half hour a day on most days of the week. Here are some considerations if you are considering running, if you are overweight.
Where to go for weight loss
Walking in parks and other green areas has huge benefits for mental health[2]. People who walk in green areas say they have more self-confidence and a better general mood. People also report that “feelings of anger, depression, tension and confusion decrease significantly and energy increases.[3]. Try to walk in green areas such as parks, hiking trails, mountains and beaches for an extra boost to mental health.
Even going to the mall has been shown to benefit the elderly[4]!!
Still have questions about walking for weight loss? Check out the frequently asked questions below:
Walking for weight loss: FAQ
1. Can you lose weight by going to lose weight?
Yes, walking to lose weight works! Prolonged walking in conversational mode will mostly burn fat. The key to walking for weight loss is to increase how many calories do you burn and how many calories you consume per day.
For example, you can maintain your current diet and just add 30 minutes more walking a day than you currently do. Eventually you will lose weight this way.
However, if you are trying to lose weight, you should probably also look at your current diet. Chances are that you are consuming too many calories, which has led to the need to lose weight.
The good news is that by reducing some calories and going to lose weight, you will increase the speed at which you lose weight! You burn more calories while walking and generally consume fewer calories. Take the facts about healthy weight loss.
It’s hard and can be awkward for a while, but stick to it and believe you will!
See our best tips for diet and weight loss!
2. How many steps a day to lose weight walking to lose weight?
The short answer is more than you are currently doing. 10,000 steps is approximately equal to 2,000 – 3,500 calories (about a quarter of a kilogram to half a kilogram of body weight). If you add an extra 10,000 steps a day (about half an hour of walking), then you will probably lose about a quarter of a pound of body weight per week just by walking a little more each day.
If you are new to the gym, 10,000 steps (half an hour) may seem like too much. This is good. Start with just 1000 steps more each day. Add more steps every day as you get healthier and your body can handle it.
Be slow and be patient: being overweight does not happen in one day and will not be corrected in one day.
3. How much walking to lose weight?
The short answer is more walking than you are doing right now. Try at least 30 minutes of walking to lose weight a day. If you can’t start from there, start with just 10 minutes and move on. There is no upper limit, other than what your schedule allows and what your body can safely handle.
If your schedule prevents you from walking to lose weight, interrupt your walks. Instead of an hour’s walk, try 2 30-minute walks. Sneak in walks, park further away, walk to places you might otherwise drive, or take walks with friends, family or pets.
Don’t dive into the details – just start walking!
4. Does walking to lose weight burn fat?
Yes, walking to lose weight burns fat. It also burns the other two macronutrients, carbohydrates and proteins. The first few minutes of walking will burn mostly carbs. However, your body will give priority to burning fat after about 30 minutes.
5. Running against Vs. Walking: What burns more calories?
It’s a little complicated, but running burns more calories than walking. However, you can walk longer than you can run, which leads to more calories burned. If running hurts your joints, try walking to lose weight. Walking to lose weight is also a great way to build your body so that you can eventually try to run.
6. Is walking for weight loss the fastest way to lose weight?
No. But this is one of the most sustainable and achievable ways to lose weight. If you seriously want to lose weight and be healthy, it will take time and commitment. Shorten shortcuts and commit to staying healthy this year by walking to lose weight.
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