So, in the second half of 2025, I put the brakes on my decade-long running routine. Instead of running 3 to 4 miles almost every day (and taking only two workout classes a week), I started a new schedule. I alternated taking strength-training classes<\/a> with strictly walking days. That way, I go to a hard workout class about 3 to 4 times a week (still trying to fit in short walks when I can), and stroll for longer stretches the rest of the time, at least 3 miles.<\/p>\n Swapping running with walking gave me pause at first. On one hand, I knew plenty of people who were more physically fit than me and avoided running at all costs. At the same time, I was a runner for so long, and I worried about gaining weight or becoming more sedentary.<\/p>\n To my surprise, I ended up burning fat<\/a> more effectively than when I was running, losing about 5 pounds in about a 6-month timeframe. But the best part was mental: I felt calmer and less spread-thin, enough to actually enjoy exercising again.<\/p>\n \n Every time Julia publishes a story, you\u2019ll get an alert straight to your inbox!\n <\/p>\n \n Stay connected to Julia and get more of their work as it publishes.\n <\/p>\n I end up moving more \u2014 and burning more fat<\/p>\n I nearly doubled my average daily step count by the end of the year.<\/p>\n Julia Pugachevsky<\/p>\n Because I was so sick of running, I wasn’t moving as fast as I used to, and I couldn’t motivate myself to go any quicker. As a result, running three miles didn’t burn as many calories for me anymore, because my body had gotten used to that pace and plateaued. To see results, I would need to increase my speed, distance, or incline \u2014 the last things I was interested in doing.<\/p>\n Since walking burns fewer calories<\/a> than running, I knew I had to dedicate more time to walking to get the same results. Now, I aim for about an hour of walking a day, double the time I spent running.<\/p>\n Even so, it’s been a lot easier to keep up with. I don’t need to change into workout gear or try to squeeze in a treadmill session (that includes shower time) on my 1-hour lunch break. I just get up and go.<\/p>\n Since I live in one of the most walkable US cities<\/a>, I don’t have to plan it out that much, either. I can just get off at an earlier subway stop to walk more, or step outside when my schedule frees up.<\/p>\n It’s also been simpler to keep up with this routine when I’m on vacation. Instead of aspiring to run (and always deciding I’d rather sleep in), I commit to a daily walk or hike. That much, I can always do.<\/p>\n I get more out of my hard workout days<\/p>\n I had more energy for strength-training classes.<\/p>\n Luis Alvarez\/Getty Images<\/p>\n Keeping a steady schedule of alternating workout and walk days means I feel more rested when I take my classes.<\/p>\n Even if I find time to walk before class, I don’t feel as depleted as I would after a 3-mile jog. I find myself lifting heavier and having more energy to really push myself \u2014 which is the only way to build muscle<\/a>. Plus, I learned from wearing a heart rate monitor that I personally burn about the same number of calories in a weight training session as I do on a 3-mile jog (with the added benefit of gaining strength).<\/p>\n When I do run, I opt for shorter and much faster sprints. Most of the workout classes I take have a cardio component, where the goal is power. I aim to reach a zone 4 heart rate zone<\/a> on the treadmill, going at a more challenging pace. I’ll run anywhere from 2 to 4 minutes faster per mile \u2014 all of which is easier and more fun for me to work on when I’m not running all the time.<\/p>\n Better results, minus the stress<\/p>\n Walking helped me slow down and relax more.<\/p>\n Julia Pugachevsky<\/p>\n My mindset around running left me feeling frazzled and resentful. It seemed like all I did was work out, but I wasn’t seeing results.<\/p>\n Forcing myself to scale back and walk didn’t just improve my gym performance<\/a> or help me reach my weight loss goals faster. It also calmed me down.<\/p>\n![\"Julia](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1769234951_500_6554f5d822cf74a57397cd84.jpeg\")
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