Here’s why walking is the best exercise to lose weight

When it comes to losing weight, we only think of diets and hardcore workouts. Natural ways like yoga, swimming and walking play an important part in losing weight. Walking has endless benefits including weight loss, controlling diabetes and cholesterol levels. If you are someone who doesn’t lift weights and has no patience for yoga, walking is the best exercise for you.

“Walking is considered as a nearest activity to perfect exercise,” says Dr Amar Singhal, interventional cardiologist, Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute, Delhi. “It’s the easiest way to increase physical activity and improve fitness. It is popular and accessible to all, with a minimal risk of injury.”

Walking for Weight Loss

HOW DOES WALKING HELP IN WEIGHT LOSS?

Walking burns calories – In order to lose weight, you need to shed those extra calories. The more physically active your body is, the more calories you lose.

Walking burns belly fat – A lot of fat is stored near your belly area. This can also increase the risk of type 2 diabetes and many other health complications. Any kind of aerobic exercise like walking is effective to reduce belly fat.

Burns belly fat

Walking helps in keeping the weight constant – Many people, who lose weight, gain it back soon. Walking helps to build lean muscles so that you can burn calories even at rest. It increases the amount of energy you burn day-to-day. Preserving lean muscle can help in reducing metabolism, making your results easier to maintain.

 

HOW MUCH TO WALK EACH DAY TO REDUCE WEIGHT?

    Make it a point to walk for at least 150 minutes i.e. 2.5 hours a week.

    You can walk more on some days and less on the others.

    You must keep increasing your speed day by day.

Keep increasing your speed

    Try not to skip more than a day in row.

    Install any fitness app or make use of a fitness band to check on the number of steps you’ve walked. This will help you aim for bigger numbers.

Track your fitness

    If you cannot walk for 30 minutes at a stretch due to work, break it up into walking twice a day.

    You would burn 100-300 calories in 30 minutes.

    Walk for 30 minutes a day.