Achieving your daily step count on a treadmill can evoke a sense of accomplishment, akin to giving yourself a mental high five. As a form of cardiovascular exercise, walking may create the illusion of effectively burning calories and progressing towards your ideal body goals. The act of taking long strides and swinging your arms can suggest that walking engages the entire body. However, it is essential to reassess this notion. Jacqueline Walker, a certified personal trainer and nurse practitioner, has taken to her social media platform to clarify prevalent misconceptions regarding body toning through walking alone.

Lack of noticeable body transformation

While walking serves as a beneficial starting point, it may not yield significant results. Jacqueline Walker acknowledges the health advantages of walking but emphasizes that it does not lead to the expected before-and-after changes. She stated, “Although walking is excellent for enhancing overall health, it does not burn a sufficient number of calories to effect a significant reduction in fat or body toning. This is due to the fact that low-intensity activities like walking lack the calorie-burning efficacy of moderate or high-intensity workouts.”

Alternatives

Achieving a toned physique necessitates more than merely walking. The desired transformation is unlikely to manifest through walking alone, as it is not sufficiently intense. Jacqueline Walker recommends, “Incorporate steady-state moderate workouts alongside short bursts of high-intensity interval training (HIIT). Moderate workouts enhance endurance and calorie expenditure, while HIIT optimizes fat burning and engages a broader range of muscle groups for toning. Together, these methods efficiently burn calories and expedite body transformation, all without requiring excessive hours at the gym.”

She further noted that to attain 'real results,' individuals must elevate their workout routines and select exercises that challenge the body and boost metabolism. Walking is merely a foundational step in this journey.

Read Also: Transform Your Health: Nutritionist Reveals 6 Life-Changing Diet Habits