{"id":3285,"date":"2025-07-12T04:01:08","date_gmt":"2025-07-12T04:01:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/3285\/"},"modified":"2025-07-12T04:01:08","modified_gmt":"2025-07-12T04:01:08","slug":"why-walking-more-is-just-as-powerful-as-dieting-for-fat-loss","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/3285\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Walking More Is Just as Powerful as Dieting for Fat Loss"},"content":{"rendered":"

We get it \u2013 the key driver of fat loss<\/a> is creating a calorie deficit<\/a>. But there\u2019s more nuance to the numbers than the simple equation ‘eat less, move more’ would suggest. The best way to achieve that deficit depends on a range of individual factors, from lifestyle<\/a> to preference. That said, exercise scientist Dr Mike Israetel may have a smart, sustainable strategy to help you get leaner.<\/p>\n

‘Just your step count<\/a> can get you as lean as your dietary adherence and genetics are capable of getting you,’ says Dr Israetel on Chris Williamson’s Modern Wisdom<\/a> podcast.<\/p>\n

‘The two big factors that stand out \u2013 maybe three: sustainability, enjoyment, and time cost. Competing with other activities through the day. On these three, step tracker and step counting is like a huge deal. I don\u2019t want to oversell it, but it kind of wins on all counts,’ Dr Israetel explains.<\/p>\n

Why Is Walking So Effective for Fat Loss?<\/p>\n

The key advantage, Dr Israetel says, is accessibility. Williamson asks, ‘So, the advantage of steps, walking<\/a>, is that it is not constraining as many other things that you can do as sitting on an assault bike?’<\/p>\n

‘And doing nothing but that,’ Dr Israetel confirms. He explains that using a step tracker makes all movement count, from structured walks to everyday activities. Playing with your kids, walking to the shop, or tidying the house all contribute to your total, giving you flexibility to go over one day and ease off the next.<\/p>\n

‘You\u2019re aggregating that across \u2013 totally \u2013 that\u2019s the thing that matters in the end,’ says Israetel.<\/p>\n

You may have heard of ‘the afterburn effect’, or ‘EPOC’ as it\u2019s known (excess post-exercise oxygen consumption). Dr Israetel argues that this is one of the most overrated things in exercise science: ‘It\u2019s just not that big of a deal.’<\/p>\n

‘What\u2019s much more of a concern is sustainability,’ he says. ‘If you think you have to run-jog<\/a> for cardio because it\u2019s intense and it\u2019s going to burn that fat in a super special way and your knees start to hurt, you stop jogging. There goes your diet plan.’<\/p>\n

How to Up Your Step Count<\/p>\n

We’re sold \u2013 but how do we start? Dr Israetel advises that if you’re already quite active: ‘Maybe set your goal at 8,000 steps<\/a> every day on average.’<\/p>\n

‘But if you are a person who does nothing else, peg your steps at 10 or 11k a day,’ he recommends.<\/p>\n

In order to increase long-term adherence, working with your preferences is key: ‘As long as you’re getting the calories going some way, it can be as monotonous as you like. Some people, they do a podcast, they walk around the block 18 times \u2013 they love it, they want nothing else. That\u2019s me. Other people, they need some different stuff. Different is great.’<\/p>\n

He explains that what you don’t want to do is the same thing repeatedly that you hate: ‘Especially if it’s high impact and high intensity.’<\/p>\n

To conclude, Dr Israetel says, ‘Consistency is an enormous superpower in a fat loss diet, because consistency means honouring the plan you chose.’ So, if you’re finding it hard to move more, focusing on your daily steps could make all the difference \u2013 as consistency is key.<\/p>\n

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