I know it’s an odd title, but I am curious about your thoughts. I have been a big fan of walking for most of my life and have been working out regularly for years.
Recently, I’ve focused more on weightlifting and do cardio occasionally through elliptical, treadmill, or basketball. However, my wife and I just had a baby, and she wants to lose her pregnancy weight by being more active and going on stroller walks with our baby.
This aligns with my interests and allows me to spend time with my family, but it’s a time crunch for working out. So, I’ve decided to cut out cardio during workouts and focus on our evening walks, which are usually 3.5-4 miles long.
The thing is, walking 4 miles daily can help you lose weight by burning calories and boosting metabolism, but for better results, pair it with healthy eating and other exercises like strength training.
Back in 2011, I weighed a hefty 500 pounds and my life felt pretty bleak. Then, out of the blue, an ex-boyfriend reached out to me through email, saying he hadn’t forgotten about me and wanted to meet up. At the time, I was relying on twelve different medications just to get by. Getting that email made me think differently. Even though I’d tried to lose weight before, this time something clicked. I lived near this really long block in the city, and attempting to walk it always felt impossible. It would take me ages just to go around it. As we kept talking, I felt embarrassed about my appearance and pushed him away, even though I still loved him. But knowing he cared about me so much sparked something inside me. That day, I made a decision: I stopped taking all my meds, drank only water, and started walking. At first, it was tough. I had to push myself to walk even just a few blocks before circling back. But gradually, as I pushed myself further, memories flooded back, surprising me. It was like my brain was waking up. I started remembering things I never thought I would. Over the next year and a half, I shed 150 pounds. I even went back to school. Though I still struggle with my weight, I’ll never let myself go back to how I was before.
I did this for years, and it was a terrific way to build up my stamina so that I could eventually start cycling and jogging when I wanted to increase my fitness.
I resumed walking after a period of inactivity, and I now feel far better walking that distance each day. As mentioned by others, beneficial to both the body and the psyche.
Congratulations on your new addition! Integrating family time with physical activity through walking is highly beneficial. Walking 4 miles daily can significantly improve cardiovascular health, aid in weight management by burning around 300-400 calories, and enhance mental well-being through stress reduction and mood improvement.
From personal experience, walking has been integral to weight loss and maintaining overall fitness, fitting seamlessly into daily routines and complementing strength training. To optimize your routine, prioritize compound movements in weightlifting, consider short, intense workouts, use walking as active recovery, and track your progress. This balanced approach will help you stay active, spend quality time with your family, and support your wife’s post-pregnancy weight loss journey effectively.