The #1 Reason Walking is the Key to Losing Belly Fat
Summary:
Lower Hunger Hormones: Walking does not increase hunger hormones like running does, preventing compensatory eating.
Sustained Caloric Burn: Walking burns calories steadily without the intense appetite spikes from high-intensity exercises.
Practical Benefits: More time spent walking means less time near tempting snacks.
Combine with Resistance Training: Adding resistance training to walking helps build muscle, increasing overall fat burn.
The #1 Reason Walking is the Key to Losing Belly Fat
Walking might seem like a leisurely activity, but when it comes to losing belly fat, it might just be your secret weapon. Fitness expert Thomas DeLauer breaks down why walking can be more effective for fat loss compared to other high-intensity exercises like running. Here’s a step-by-step guide based on his insights.
The Science Behind Walking for Fat Loss
Thomas DeLauer shares his personal experience, noting that he got significantly leaner through walking compared to running. This might seem counterintuitive since running burns more calories per minute. However, the science behind this is fascinating.
Hormonal Response to Exercise
A study published in the Journal of Obesity examined the hormonal responses to different types of exercise, including walking and running. The study found that running significantly increased hunger hormones such as ghrelin, peptide YY, and GLP-1. This increase in hunger can lead to compensatory eating, making it harder to maintain a caloric deficit essential for fat loss.
Source: Journal of Obesity
Walking vs. Running: Caloric Burn and Fat Loss
While running burns more calories in a shorter amount of time, it also increases appetite, which can lead to overeating. Walking, on the other hand, does not induce the same hunger response, which can lead to the better form of cardio. As DeLauer explains, walking for two hours might burn the same calories as running for 45 minutes, but without the urge to overeat afterward.
Practical Benefits of Walking
Walking not only helps in burning calories but also keeps you away from the kitchen and tempting snacks. Spending more time walking means less time near food, reducing the chances of unnecessary snacking. Additionally, walking predominantly burns fat as fuel, making it an effective exercise for targeting belly fat.
The Role of Diet in Fat Loss
DeLauer emphasizes the importance of diet over exercise for fat loss. A study in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology demonstrated that caloric restriction resulted in significantly more weight and fat loss compared to exercise alone.
Source: European Journal of Preventive Cardiology
Combining Walking with Resistance Training
For optimal results, combine walking with resistance training. Building muscle increases your metabolic rate, allowing you to burn more fat even while at rest. Muscles act as metabolic sinks, enhancing fat oxidation during activities like walking.
Conclusion
Walking is a powerful tool for losing belly fat, primarily due to its low-intensity nature, which does not trigger increased hunger hormones. By combining walking with a balanced diet and resistance training, you can achieve significant fat loss and maintain a healthy weight. As always, tailor your exercise routine to your personal needs and preferences for the best results.
For more fitness tips and insights, keep following Thomas DeLauer's channel.
Read More From The Skin Sophisticate
