The idea of walking for hours can be daunting, but long strolls are not always necessary when trying to lose weight.
A fitness expert explained walking regularly can reduce cravings and burn calories, leading to weight loss and weight maintenance.
Short bursts of walking - even just 10 minutes - can be enough to get the blood pumping. There could even be benefits of swapping the gym for a walk, according to personal trainer and sports performance specialist at Muscle Booster, Inna Skladanivska.
She said: “Walking is a simple yet effective way to lose weight and get fit. Of course, contributing factors such as speed, distance and calorie consumption will all come into play when burning calories, but generally, the more intense your walk is, the more physically fit you will get.
Walking can help you to lose weight and keep it off
GETTY“There’s no magic number of minutes, hours or miles that will guarantee weight loss; however, a brisk 10-minute walk counts towards your weekly recommended 150 minutes worth of exercise.”
Walking burns an average of 200 to 300 calories per hour, and the minutes can add up more easily than time spent doing other exercises, such as gym workouts.
Indeed, a study published in the journal Risk Analysis found those who walk briskly for over 30 minutes regularly had lower BMIs and even smaller waist sizes than those who took part in other forms of exercise, including gym workouts.
One way to increase your daily step count is to "hop off the bus at an earlier stop and walk to the office", the expert suggested.
Inna added: "Or ditch the car to do your weekly food shop or go on a hike with friends, there’s plenty of fun and easy ways to get walking more.”
Walking can do more than just burn calories, as the expert explained it can help to curb your appetite. This can banish unhealthy cravings and make it easier not to overeat.
The fitness pro continued: “Walking is a great way to maintain a healthy weight and alters hormone levels that can lead to decreased appetite and curb those sweet cravings.
"Plus, it’s an accessible form of exercise that everybody can do with no equipment necessary. It’s important not to push yourself too hard though, and always stay true to what feels right for you.”
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Getting off the bus early and walking to work is a good way to get extra steps in
GETTYWalking 10,000 steps a day is often hailed as the ideal number for weight loss and weight maintenance, but experts explained you can start smaller when trying to burn fat and calories more "easily".
Walking has more health benefits than simply weight loss, too. Inna explained IT can boost your immune system, improve your overall mood and even increase life expectancy.
The gentle form of exercise can also help ease joint pain, keep your mind sharp and help you to get a better night's sleep.
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