Calories Burnt by Walking

Physical exercise is an important requirement to stay fit and healthy. It is something that we read about endlessly in fitness magazines and hear about in the doctor’s clinic. Scientific research has proved time and again the importance of exercise in preventing deadly diseases like diabetes, heart conditions, and even cancer. Regular exercise definitely lives up to the hype.

Different individuals prefer different styles of exercise. Probably the easiest to pick up is walking.

Almost everyone walks. It is something that comes naturally to us and is the least intimidating form of exercise. The important trick to stay fit and lose weight is to burn more calories than we eat. Any physical exercise helps us to burn calories. The more we exert ourselves, the more we burn. It is really that simple. For individuals that have lead previously sedentary lives, walking is a great way to start a workout.

The calories burnt by walking depend on a few factors. The speed at which one walks, the time one walks for, and the age of the person. A younger person will be able to burn more calories than an older person will. Walking faster may help to burn more than a leisurely walk in the garden. Burning calories also depend on the intensity of the workout. The harder you labor, the more you burn. Walking is a relatively low-key exercise so one may need to walk a lot more to burn the same amount of calories as an intense aerobic workout. In addition, the weight of a person will also influence the number of calories that are burned by walking.

The number of calories burned in a 1 mile walk can average between 85 and 135, depending on the weight of the person. This may not seem like a lot, but if done continuously and over the years, it can help to ward off major illnesses and keep the body fit and active. Of course, one may gradually add more miles to the exercise regimen to extract more for the body. A two mile walk can help to burn between 150 and 240 calories. A three mile walk does even better, and knock off between 240 and 360 calories. A four mile walk can help you burn an impressive 350 to 420 calories, and a five mile walk can burn about 420 to 480 calories.

Although it may be difficult to motivate oneself to exercise, nothing beats the feeling of contentment after completing a challenging work out. Each person is different, and may have different preferences for exercise. Try out various options to see what suits you. Sports like tennis or swimming are fun ways to shed those extra pounds. One may like to observe nature, and so walks down the neighborhood trail maybe the way to go. One can also jumble things up for variety rather than sticking to a particular routine. The point is to exercise regularly and find a way to accomplish it so that is seems enjoyable rather than a boring chore.

Please consult your physician for inputs on a workout schedule and the type of workout needed. Each individual is unique and may have specific needs that have to be met. In all, walking is an activity that is suited for all age groups, even those who are elderly. The only requirement for walking is comfortable attire that breathes and shoes that are easy on the feet and do not cause blisters. Teaming up walking everyday with a well planned diet that provides the body with nourishment while excluding unhealthy food items is also a great way to lose weight and maintain a healthy figure.

References:

http://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletters/Harvard_Mens_Health_Watch/2009/August/Walking-Your-steps-to-health
http://dining.byu.edu/eat/exercise_chart.html

Submitted on January 16, 2014