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Sunday April 28, 2024

What are best daily walking distance, steps to lose weight and stay fit?

Few steps are not enough to stay fit but ideal daily walking distance is required for optimum physical health

By Web Desk
March 15, 2024
A girl walking on a road. — Unsplash/File
A girl walking on a road. — Unsplash/File

Most adults should strive for 10,000 steps of daily walking distance for overall health as less than 5,000 steps is indicative of a sedentary lifestyle; however, a person's age, present level of fitness, and health objectives affect how many steps they are required take on average, as per Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

A good low-impact exercise that can help people maintain or increase their physical fitness is walking. The majority of Americans only walk 3,000–4,000 steps a day (about 1.5–2 miles), according to Medical News Today.

As a result, many Americans are not taking as many steps as they should to improve their health, as doctors typically classify persons who walk less than 5,000 steps a day as inactive.

Walking can help a number of body functions, according to the Arthritis Foundation. Here is a list: 

  • Muscle strength
  • Range of motion
  • Blood flow
  • Flexibility
  • Balance, which can help prevent falls
  • Joint stiffness
  • Mood and sleep
  • Breathing

Additionally, walking can help prevent or treat illnesses including osteoporosis, obesity, and age-related memory decline.

Depending on a person's target weight, food intake, and present weight, there are several actions that need to be taken to lose weight. But for most people, 10,000 steps is a good target.

More strenuous walking may also be beneficial for someone who wants to use it to increase their strength, flexibility, or stamina.

Walking uphill, for instance, uses three times as many muscle fibres than walking on a level surface. Therefore, those who walk up hills to get many of their 10,000 steps will get a more comprehensive workout.