You know the old saying about something being too good to be true? Well, when it comes to losing weight by counting steps, it really IS.
Sure, you can join the millions of other folks counting their steps all day and night.
Go ahead and buy a fitness tracker and obsess over how far you walk each day. Even set goals and then beat them.
But, at the end of it all, what will you have to show for it? Sore feet and worn-out shoes. But not a whole heck of a lot else.
Because new research exposes the reality of the step-counting craze. And while there ARE plenty of great reasons to make sure you move more each day, weight loss isn’t one of them.
Because as it turns out… you simply CAN’T just sweat your way to a slimmer body.
Why step-counting WON’T lead to weight loss
I’ll admit it. I’ve fallen for it too, checking my fitness tracker near the end of the day and seeing I’m still a couple thousand steps short of my goal.
So like so many others, I start walking in circles in the living room.
Now, I’m not going to knock that. It IS good to keep up and on your feet as much as possible, as being sedentary leads to a slower metabolism and a higher risk of chronic disease and early death. And that’s especially true as you get older.
But as a weight-loss tool, you may as well toss your Fitbit into the trash. Because as the new study shows, they’re pretty much worthless.
Researchers gave university students step counters and goals of 10,000, 12,500, and 15,000 steps a day, six days a week, for nearly half a year.
The results? Well, in short, the more they walked… the more they ATE. The students not only didn’t LOSE weight. They actually GAINED a couple of pounds.
Try THIS to shed those extra pounds
This isn’t exclusive to students, of course. Studies have shown again and again that people who embark on exercise programs typically don’t lose weight and, in many cases, gain a little.
But like I mentioned earlier, don’t give up walking and counting steps. It’s good to keep moving. And a goal of 10,000 steps a day or more is worth hitting if you can pull it off. It can help you stay strong, flexible, and independent as you age.
But if you’re trying to shed some extra pounds, that’s clearly not going to cut it. Eat a little better instead.
It’s not as hard as it sounds. Start with simple steps like quitting processed foods, especially empty junk carbs. Eat more fiber-rich foods, as they’re filling and will help control appetite.
As you eat better, you’ll find you eat less. And as you eat less, you’ll lose weight, and all that step-counting is entirely optional.
If you’re interested in losing more than a few pounds, you can try an actual low-carb diet or intermittent fasting. Both approaches will have you shedding the extra weight fast.
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