A woman has flaunted her 130lb weight loss online – before revealing the unusual secret behind her new physique.
The Reddit user, who goes by @lkurz88, took to the platform discuss her unusual fitness habit.
The post, which featured staggering before and after pictures, was titled: ‘Costco is my gym membership!’
Explaining further, she wrote: ‘I work right around the corner from a Costco.
‘Since August of last year I have gone over to Costco and walked for about 40 minutes!
‘The employees thought I worked there at first, and now they all know me and say hi!’
She continued: ‘I’m down 130lbs and counting! Thanks to Costco for being more fun than a gym! I can exercise and get good sales!’
The candid upload has so far received more than 3,700 upvotes – with many readers flooding to share their support as well as admitting to using the same exercise method.
The Reddit user, who goes by @lkurz88, flaunted her 130lb weight loss online – before revealing the unusual secret behind her new physique
‘Congratulations! What an awesome post. So many people don’t realize that walking to or in a store, mall or lifestyle shopping center can give you your workout for the day or week!’ one wrote.
‘Very cool, great pictures! Staying fit is a life-long mission. I’m glad you found something that works for you,’ another shared.
‘It is funny you mention this because I go once or twice a week just for the exercise. Pick up what we need but the main goal is movement. Love this,’ someone else added.
Costco offers an array of goods across a seemingly infinite number of aisles.
On average, it takes a shopper 30 to 40 minutes for a fast paced trip to the store but, for those who enjoy the process of browsing, it can take anywhere from 1.5 to 2 hours to navigate.
And it seems like the Reddit user might be onto something.
The simple act of grocery shopping, often perceived as a mundane weekly chore, can have more fitness benefits than meet the eye.
An hour of wandering the aisles, selecting goods, and pushing a steadily filling cart can actually torch a notable number of calories, placing it almost on par with a low-intensity calisthenics routine.
The simple act of grocery shopping, often perceived as a mundane weekly chore, can have more fitness benefits than meet the eye (stock image)
Scientific studies have shown if customers spend a considerable amount of time shopping, the cardiovascular benefits are akin to taking a brisk walk.
This is because increasing step count through regular mild activities of exertion can increase the heart rate which in turn contributes positively to heart health.
Beyond muscle engagement, the simple act of pushing a heavy cart is a weight-bearing exercise promoting bone health and improving bone density.
Experts explain that as we push against resistance (the loaded cart), our bones adapt to the load, becoming denser and stronger over time.
This is particularly important as we age and naturally begin to lose bone mass, making exercise like this crucial in combating conditions like osteoporosis.
The combination of muscular and skeletal engagement during a grocery run not only benefits our muscles but also fortifies our bones.
‘From shopping to washing and everything in between, if you’re too busy to hit the gym then it’s worth going about your daily tasks with gusto to help burn the maximum calories,’ as hailed health guru Mark Healy was all to keen to endorse existing research.
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I lost over 130lbs by going to Costco… now strangers say I look great