Most of us understand the importance of exercise for health. However, many people don't realize that an active lifestyle is just as important (if not more) than hard training. In fact, many of the healthiest people in the world never go to the gym. They move more during the day, walking in the park, tending the garden and going on evening walks with friends. Do you want to become one of them? How long do you need to walk? Some believe that what 10 thousand steps a day gives you completely changes your body.
ContentWhat 10K Steps a Day Benefits: Michelle's Overall Results Improved Weight Maintenance Enhanced Mood Better Sleep Better Digestion Stronger Relationships Final Verdict: What 10K Steps a Day Benefits
Others are skeptical. WomanEL wants to share with you the results of the experience of yoga instructor Michelle King. For a year she walked 10 thousand steps a day.
What 10 thousand steps a day gives: Michelle's overall results
Walking 10,000 steps a day seems tiring at first glance. But with a little planning, it can be an achievable goal. Most days, Michelle reached 10,000 steps by adding three 30-minute walks to her routine. She usually took her first walk in the morning with the dog and a cup of coffee in hand, a second walk in the afternoon, and a third walk before dinner with her husband.
This new routine took some getting used to, but after a few weeks it became just as familiar. like brushing your teeth. A year later, she felt healthier and happier than ever before.
Improved weight maintenance
Regular walking helped Michelle reach a weight she felt comfortable at and ensured she maintained that weight. Why? Because walking was less strenuous than other workouts she was used to (like CrossFit or Bootcamp) and didn't require any equipment, it was easy to stay consistent even during holidays and vacations.
- Research shows that a consistent daily routine is key when it comes to losing and maintaining weight.
Heightened mood
Michelle would have good days followed by days of extreme depression that made it difficult for her to get out of bed. After she started walking regularly, she noticed that her good days gradually became more frequent and her depression became less intense. She attributes much of this improved mood to spending more time walking in lakes and parks.
- Research has found numerous mental health benefits of being in nature, including reduced stress, improved mood, cognitive functions and creative abilities.
Sound sleep
Before Michelle started hitting 10,000 steps, she spent her evenings watching Netflix or scrolling through social media. Exposure to blue light made it difficult for her to fall asleep. By trading evening screen time for a regular walk, she found it easier to fall asleep.
- Studies have shown that exposure to sunlight helps regulate the body's internal clock (circadian rhythm), improving sleep quality.
- Research shows that walking 10 to 15 minutes after eating helps adults who experience frequent bloating feel less bloated. Walking can also help reduce anxiety, which is associated with a number of gastrointestinal problems.
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Improved Digestion
She suffered from several stomach problems that often caused her to experience bloating and discomfort after eating. Walking didn't solve all of her stomach problems, but it did help her feel less bloated after eating.
Stronger relationships
Ordinary walks open up the opportunity to get closer to people, Source: freepik.com
While walking alone won't relieve loneliness, it does provide a great opportunity to connect with others. Many of Michelle's walks were spent spending time with her mother or husband. If she had no one to go out with, she would call a friend with whom she had not spoken for a long time. These frequent conversations helped her feel more connected to people and helped strengthen her relationships.
Final verdict: what gives 10 thousand steps a day
Is it worth taking 10,000 steps a day? In Michelle's opinion, that's a resounding yes. Walking 10,000 steps a day for a year had a positive impact on her life and changed her approach to fitness. “Even though I don't do as many structured workouts as I used to, I feel better, happier, and healthier than before I started this challenge.”
According to the Mayo Clinic, is 10,000 steps per day goal that's right for you depends on your fitness level and what you want to achieve. First, find the tracking system that works best for you. Use a fitness tracker or download a free app. Determine how many steps you currently walk per day and use that number as a starting point. Then work your way up to 10,000 steps by adding 500 to 1,000 (or whatever number suits you and your schedule) additional steps daily every two weeks.
If you're already taking more than 10,000 steps a day day, aim higher and set your daily step goal at 12,000.
But don't get too caught up in the numbers. The goal is to walk more, to the extent that is comfortable for you.
Do you dream of living a long life? Walking will help with this: this is the amount that is most effective.
