Does Walking Really Help with Weight Loss?
Brisk walking is indeed beneficial for maintaining good health, but when it comes to weight loss, the question becomes more complex. What should you do?
Studies show that contrary to the popular myth that walking aids in weight reduction, it turns out that the heart rate is what determines whether the calorie curve is rising or falling. It doesn"t matter if it's brisk walking or any other type of physical activity – it's important to know that in order to burn carbohydrates and fats, the heart rate must be between 60-85%. Brisk walking is indeed an added value for maintaining solid health, but regarding weight loss – there's another question here.
One of the more common problems among people who are overweight is the lack of physical activity over the years. Therefore, to convince our body to move from the rest it is accustomed to, our body (which usually prefers rest because that's its natural tendency) first needs to be challenged physically, getting used to consistent and intensive activity – without compromises. In the case of walking, as brisk as it may be – the body still gets the message that it is at rest, so the heart rate will not reach the desired levels.
One of the simple solutions is running. Surprisingly, even if it involves a person who is not used to sports activity and is not adequately trained, light running may bring them to the desired heart rate levels, not only helping reduce cholesterol but also reducing blood fats, strengthening the body, preventing osteoporosis, cancer, and more. Furthermore, during running, hormones called endorphins are released from the body, responsible for an elevated mood, so in every aspect, those who adopt running as a way of life not only get to lose weight but also improve their mental and physical health, from end to end.
People who suffer from knee issues and more should consult with a doctor before starting such activity. Of course, this article is not a medical authority of any kind.
