The OUR Wellness Steps Challenge is in full effect. Make sure you are getting those steps in! The American College of Sports Medicine recommends that you get at least 10,000 steps in a day. Most people who use walking to burn calories and lose weight walk at a moderate intensity pace. How do you know if you're walking at a moderate intensity pace? It's easy using this Rating of Perceived Exertion Scale.
This scale gives you physical body cues to know what intensity level you are walking at. The physical body cues for moderate intensity level walking would be breathing heavily, ability to hold short conversations, still somewhat comfortable, but becoming more noticeably challenging.
Yes, walking is a great way to lose weight. It is the most accessible form of exercise, as it doesn't cost you anything to do it. But are you doing it wrong? Research has shown that alternating your intensity levels while walking between moderate intensity and short periods of light intensity will use your body's fat as fuel. In doing this your body will use fewer calories, but the calories that are being used are coming from fat. Here is a great article that goes into more detail about the science of it: “How to Best Burn Calories While Walking.”
Whether you are walking to lose weight, or to increase your overall fitness, or if you are trying to win an Amazon Gift card (prizes for the Steps Challenge drawing), just get those steps in!
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