It doesn’t feel like you’re getting much exercise when you’re walking to meet a friend after getting off the bus, or walking along a canal on a crisp, sunny, cold fall day.
And it certainly doesn’t get more tiring than running, cycling, and HIIT. Exercise is said to be much better, especially if fat loss is your goal. But in the end, it may be the most effective thing you can do to lose excess weight.
Health expert @emilyhackettfitness is here to set the record straight. A fat loss coach knows what’s best for you. This is an easy exercise to tackle that won’t leave you dreading the gym, sweating, and not knowing what to do.
“What exercise burns more calories to lose fat?” she asked, and she answered, “It’s not running, cycling, HIIT cardio, or sit-ups.”
So what kind of exercise should you participate in if you want to reach your fat loss goals? “Actually walking,” Emily said.
she continued. “If you think it’s too easy because someone says you have to do exhausting workouts that involve spending hours at the gym, you might want to send me a follow.”
And she explained that the purpose of her account is to “make fitness real and fun.”
Emily said walking can burn up to 15% to 20% of calories, compared to only 5% with other forms of exercise.
“Plus, because it’s low-impact, doesn’t fatigue your body, and can be done for longer periods of time, you burn more calories over time without fatiguing your body,” she shared.
However, if you already have a workout routine, you don’t necessarily have to cram it in, she said, because you can put both to good use.
“Use training to build strength, flexibility and confidence,” she added. “But if you’re only exercising to burn calories, there’s no point.”
In the comments, one person said he had “lost a lot of weight” by “eating in a calorie deficit” and walking.
Another question asked, “How many steps do you need to walk a day to lose weight?”
Emily replied: “Now it’s all about how many steps you take. There’s no magic number. Start by aiming to increase your steps by 20% until you get to around 10,000.”
