With many gyms closed in 2020, walking remained one of the easiest and best ways to exercise. A consistent walking routine can be an excellent way to lose weight and get rid of excess belly fat, which is why it’s no surprise our most popular stories reflect this.
Here, our 10 most-read walking stories of 2020, plus a bonus editor’s pick — taking it to 11. Cheers to getting in more steps in 2021!
1. HOW MUCH DO YOU REALLY NEED TO WALK TO LOSE WEIGHT?
A dedicated walking program paired with a well-balanced diet can be an excellent way to lose weight. While upping your weekly walking time helps, so does intensity level.
2. YOUR 6-WEEK BELLY FAT BLASTING WALKING PLAN
This program mixes high-intensity intervals with power walking and easy active recovery days to maximize your calorie burn and blast dangerous belly fat.
3. 10 WALKING MISTAKES TO AVOID IF YOU WANT TO LOSE WEIGHT
Hint: The same pace and the same route can get old fast. Find out if you’re guilty of some of these common walking faux pas.
4. WHAT THIS 1-MILE WALKING TEST SAYS ABOUT YOUR FITNESS
Learning your VO2 max (the technical term for the maximum amount of oxygen your body can use while you’re doing intense aerobic exercise) with this test can help you improve your fitness.
5. 11 WALKING TIPES TO LOSE WEIGHT FASTER
It turns out there’s a right way to use your arms, and correct posture can yield a higher calorie burn.
6. 5-WEEK CALORIE-BLASTING HIIT WALKING PROGRAM
High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is a great way to increase your cardiovascular endurance and burn more calories in a short amount of time. This program helps you work your way up to a 5K, interval-style.
7. SHOULD YOU WALK TWICE A DAY?
Whether your goal is to build fitness, train for a marathon, or simply break your workout into shorter, more manageable workouts, walking twice per day might be just what you need to up your step count overall.
8. HOW YOU CAN WALK OFF BELLY FAT
We know belly fat is one of the most dangerous types of fat, but the good news is, it’s also one of the easiest to lose. The secret is staying consistent and walking in the right heart rate zone.
9. WHY WALKING IS YOUR KEY TO LOSING WEIGHT AND KEEPING IT OFF
Not only is walking a terrific low-impact exercise to help you shed pounds, but it also has mental health benefits, which support weight loss, too.
10. 10 EFFECTIVE WALKING PROGRAMS TO JUMPSTART 2020
We started the year with walking plans for everyone — including a beginner program for weight loss, a 4-week treadmill plan and a 2-week program to kickstart fitness. If you missed them, don’t worry, you can always try any of these programs in the new year (or whenever you like!)
BEST WALKING SURFACES FOR YOUR JOINTS, RANKED
All walking surfaces have their pros and cons, but some are easier on your body than others. Hint: Don’t overlook pool walking.
Make progress every day while you work on mini fitness goals, like walking more steps. Go to “Plans” in the MyFitnessPal app for daily coaching and easy-to-follow tasks to keep you motivated.
