Spring is an opportunity to rediscover the pleasure of walking outdoors. And that’s good because walking makes you lose weight. But one question nags us: how long do you have to walk to lose 1 kg? Sports coach Guillaume Feillu answered us.
Walking is excellent for your health. You need to walk from a young age and as late as possible. This is the advantage of this physical activity: everyone can practice it without restriction and in all seasons. Additionally, it can help with weight loss. “Weight loss varies depending on each person’s body and metabolism, explains sports coach Guillaume Feillu. Some people will lose 2 kg in a week, and others 1.5 kg in 1 month. But how long do you need to walk to lose weight?
According to the coach, you must keep in mind the importance of eating alongside walking. “To think that an hour of walking every 2 days will make you lose weight is heresy if nothing is changed. For example, if your reward is to eat a hamburger after exercise, your weight will not change an inch. A balance between sport, diet, sleep, and the number of liters of water you drink is absolutely essential” warns the expert.
It is therefore essential to balance your diet if you want to lose weight while walking: with starchy foods, meat for proteins and vegetables. “Sport is complementary to a good diet. It must generate a slight calorie deficit in order to cause weight loss. Walking in addition can, in this situation, contribute to weight loss. You increase your metabolism, use the muscles of the body and the heart, so you will lose your excess pounds a little more quickly” he unfolds. But then, how long to walk to lose 1 kilo?
“Walk as often as your fitness allows: twice a week, every other day, every day… Walk as soon as your body has recovered and is ready, whether it’s 15 minutes, 30 minutes or 2 hours. Try to be regular in your exercise. Just remember to fight against a sedentary lifestyle and you will notice chain reactions that are beneficial for your body” answers Guillaume Feillu. If possible, combine 30 minutes of brisk walking twice a week to accelerate weight loss. Brisk walking speed is generally between 5 and 6.5 km/h.
“What makes you lose weight is the set of good practices that you will put in place, because it is not just sport or diet, even if they are two basic pillars” insists the coach. “Finally, do not hesitate to call on professionals to make personalized choices, because what is effective for one is not necessarily effective for another.”
