Most of us work out because we are chasing some version of an aesthetic, performance, or general health goal. We might want to improve our body composition, gain strength, feel better, or, most commonly, some combination of all three.
This fitness hack isn’t going to spike your heart rate or make you sweat the way a workout at Cosmic Fitness will, but it is still a powerful fitness hack that is accessible to anyone at any time.
When it comes to fat loss, in particular, a lot of people don’t realize that weight loss is dictated by total calorie expenditure throughout the day. If you go hard during your workout but then go on to stay primarily sedentary for the rest of the day, it is possible that you may not expend the appropriate amount of calories to illicit any significant fat loss.
There are also days when you may not have a chance to work out. We all get busy, and on the days you can’t make it to the gym, a simple 10-minute walk can go a long way in helping you get some movement because something is always better than nothing.
Yes, I said walking…
If you want to burn fat while maintaining as much lean muscle mass as possible, walking can be better than doing an excessive amount of moderate cardio.
To maximize fat burn while minimizing muscle loss, you must approach your caloric deficit like you would cooking a good brisket: low and slow. Ramp up the cardio and intensity notches up too quickly, and you risk losing more lean muscle than you’d like.
If you don’t have too much time to dedicate to working out each day, combining a quality CrossFit program like what we do at Cosmic, with daily walks can be a great way to maintain lean muscle while slowly burning off excess fat.
And finally, walking can be your secret longevity weapon for those more concerned with long-term health. After meals, going for a short walk can help decrease blood sugar spikes and promote better long-term metabolic health.
There is so much to gain from more steps in your day-to-day.
ONE THING TO TRY THIS WEEK. Walk More.
It’s that simple.
Nowadays, everyone has access to a wearable device or mobile App that can count their steps. Set a daily goal for yourself, ideally in the 8,000 to 12,000 step range, and commit to hitting that number every day this week.
There might be some days when you don’t get to work out, but if you walk every day, you are checking off the movement box for the day and taking a major step toward your goals.
Also, if you’re interested in trying a free week at Cosmic, contact us to schedule a visit.
