Brisk walking is powerful for weight loss, to say the least. There have been countless studies to prove this, and among them is the one done by scientists researching on health at the University of Pittsburgh. The study proved that overweight people lose weight after walking for 30 to 60 minutes a day. And that’s regardless of lifestyle habits, they averred.
Another American study said brisk walking at least 4 hours a week can help lose about 9 pounds even as brisk walkers age. It’s a known fact that brisk walking can also lower your LDL (bad cholesterol) and help raise your HDL (good cholesterol) at the same time that you can easily manage your weight. And fitness experts see that brisk walking is going to be the fitness trend in the future as more people prefer the great outdoors for gyms to spend their workouts in. Brisk walking is a lot cheaper, too—no costly gym membership and special getup.
Normal Blood Sugar
There’s a powerful bonus, too. An interesting study on brisk walking and normal blood sugar levels done in the Alps and deliberated on by the American Heart Association said brisk walking does so much good for heart and blood sugar health. And it has all to do with brisk walking uphill and downhill.
The mechanics goes this way: brisk walking uphill gives the muscles concentric workout that normalizes triglycerides (that’s good cardiovascular health for you) and brisk walking down hill gives the muscles eccentric workout for better glucose tolerance that normalizes blood sugar levels. And with doctor’s approval, diabetics with heart conditions can take on brisk walking as a “healing” workout daily.
Imagine hitting three birds with one stone—weight loss, heart health, and blood sugar health with just brisk walking. That’s not to mention the feeling of well-being and emotional high after a brisk walk session (powerful for fighting stress and improving sleep), plus stronger lungs. And how about muscle toning and body cell rejuvenation?
Take the Stairs
Always take the stairs if you’re going up 2 to 3 floors. If you’re a beginner, take a rest each floor before proceeding to the next, especially if the building has a high ceiling height. Take it easy with each step, gaining speed gradually and then resuming normal cadence as you reach the final steps.
If there is no uphill street or rolling terrain in the neighbourhood, find a building with 2 to 3 floors and use it for your brisk stair climbing. Better if your own house has 2 to 3 floors. Or visit the mall regularly and use the stairs there. If your office has stairs, use it always and do take “stair-climbing” breaks now and then.