Walking Thought To Significantly Promote Weight Loss

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A recently conducted study has shown that walking briskly for 30 minutes proves more fruitful in reducing weight than going to the gym for half an hour.

The London School of Economics carried out the study in a bid to discover which method of exercise promotes the most weight loss. In the outcome, the leader of the study, Dr Grace Lordon, derived that people who walked (briskly) regularly had a lower BMI and a smaller waist than those who partook in a regular form of sport.

Government guidelines maintain that in order to keep weight at a ‘normal’ BMI, you should ensure that you do a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week. By definition, “moderate exercise” is outlined as any form of exercise that increases your heart rate and causes perspiration.

Amongst the range of different exercise methods that were found to improve BMI were; running, cycling, brisk walking, jogging, swimming, rugby, football, dancing, and squash. However, one of the paramount benefits of walking is the fact that it is free and therefore ideal for those who either don’t want to or are unable to fork out money for a gym membership every month. Moreover, it is easier to slot into day-to-day life. You can easily squeeze in a quick brisk walk home from work or on your lunch break without having the hassle of physically going to a gym. Walking has also previously been connected to improvements on mental health conditions.

Thinking about taking a hike? Then make sure that you have the right kit for the job! With the weather getting colder, you may want to consider wearing layers. This will still allow for breathability, but will also give you flexibility to take off layers dependent on the weather or how warm you get. Shop layers here

Looks like rain? Don’t let that stop you from your daily walk! You don’t need to look like an outdoor geek to keep warm and dry in shower, there are a range of stylish urban options available to shop here

If you are intending on going for a walk away from home or a bit further out, ensure you carry enough water to see you through your workout – being dehydrated and away from a water source is less than ideal and could be dangerous. Take a small rucksack to carry your water, snacks and any other essentials required for the walk. Shop rucksacks here

Checking in on your form and correcting yourself a few times throughout your walk will make for better endurance. If you feel you need more support then walking poles are ideal – especially for ascents and descents. Shop poles here

Dr Lordon also added that she felt her findings provide an argument for a national campaign to promote walking, and it is estimated that almost 80% of the UK population is not meeting the government’s target of regular exercise guidelines. This ultimately costs the NHS almost £1 billion every year. Although the gym might not be your go-to choice, walking on a treadmill is bouncier and has less impact on your joints and bones, proving a good way to see out an injury or provide extra support if your joints are a bit weaker.

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