I Lost 250 Pounds With 5 Simple Walking Tricks

Lacey_Baier23 — Copyright laceybaier/Instagram

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by complex weight loss routines or extreme diets? You're not alone. Lacey Baier, a nutrition and fitness coach and the voice behind a popular YouTube channel, understands this struggle firsthand. After losing over 250 pounds and maintaining her weight loss, Lacey now shares her "cleanish" approach to health—a balanced, sustainable lifestyle that prioritizes nutrition without sacrificing enjoyment. In this article, she reveals how something as simple as walking can be a game-changer for your weight loss journey and overall health.

The Myth of Hardcore Workouts for Weight Loss

Many people believe that losing weight requires intense gym sessions and grueling cardio workouts. However, Lacey Baier challenges this notion. "While I do love a good heavy, sweaty weightlifting workout, and it's been really helpful for my weight loss journey and my own self-confidence, plain, old, simple, boring walking can be very beneficial as well," she explains in her post. Lacey adds, "Plus, it's also great for your overall health, even if you're not trying to lose weight."

Understanding the Calorie Deficit

Before diving into the benefits of walking, it's crucial to understand the foundation of weight loss. Lacey emphasizes, "If you consume more calories than you burn in a day, you're going to gain weight. In order to lose that weight, you need to burn more calories in a day than you're consuming. And that's called a calorie deficit." This concept, known as a calorie deficit, is key to sustainable weight loss. Lacey recommends aiming for a 500-calorie deficit each day as a good target for losing weight.

The Pitfall of Extreme Dieting

Lacey warns against the common trap of extreme dieting. "The problem that a lot of us have is that we try to overdo it, we restrict too much. And then your body does another problem where you start doing a yo-yo diet and it's just this endless cycle of gaining weight and losing weight because you're not finding a sustainable lifestyle that works for you that you can do forever, that loses the weight and then keeps it off." Instead, Lacey advocates for finding a sustainable lifestyle that works for you long-term.

The Science Behind Walking for Weight Loss

To back up her claims about walking, Lacey cites a 2017 study. "There's a trial published in 2017 where a group of participants were following a calorie deficit diet, and they did this moderate walk five days a week," Lacey explains. The results were impressive: "Just doing that decreased weight, decreased body fat percentage, and lower levels of insulin and cholesterol in the blood. And that all meant that they were also at a lower risk for cardiovascular disease and insulin resistance."

The Mayo Clinic experts support these findings: "Regular brisk walking can help you maintain a healthy weight and lose body fat." They also note additional benefits: "Prevent or manage various conditions, including heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, cancer and type 2 diabetes."

Consistency Trumps Intensity

An interesting finding from the study was that participants who walked for longer periods didn't see better results. Lacey elaborates, "Interestingly enough, participants who were walking the four to six hours in a week wound up not having the same good results. And they attributed that to the fact that those who are doing the longer walks were actually less consistent in getting that done every day." This highlights a crucial point: "Moderation and consistency is really the key to weight loss success," Lacey emphasizes.

Practical Walking Goals for Weight Loss

For those who can't commit to 30-minute daily walks, Lacey offers an alternative approach. "If you can't find 30 minutes in a day to consistently walk every day, that's not a problem," she reassures. She then explains, "Interestingly enough, hitting approximately 10,000 steps in a day and then having actual 3,500 of those 10,000 steps being 10 to 15 minutes of actively walking, enhanced long-term weight loss." This means you can achieve significant benefits by incorporating brief, brisk walks throughout your day while maintaining an overall active lifestyle.

The Mayo Clinic experts provide a general goal: "As a general goal, aim for at least 30 minutes of physical activity a day. If you can't set aside that much time, try several short sessions of activity throughout the day. Any amount of activity is better than none at all."

The Added Benefits of Resistance Training

While walking is excellent for weight loss, Lacey also advocates for incorporating resistance training. "Adding in just even 10 minutes of resistance training can have a ton of benefits," she explains. Lacey suggests various forms of resistance training, "whether that's in the form of weight training, bodyweight exercises, resistance band workouts, or even body conditioning workouts like Pilates or yoga." The benefits are numerous: "Those will actually have a really cool benefit of increased metabolism for longer after the events. Not to mention that it's also going to help you improve your muscle mass, your strength, your posture, your overall mood and flexibility and confidence, and just your general overall lifestyle."

Embracing a "Cleanish" Lifestyle

Lacey's approach to weight loss and health is rooted in what she calls a "cleanish" lifestyle. This balanced approach prioritizes healthy habits without extreme restrictions. "It's not a total necessity, but it's a great addition for sure as part of an overall healthy, 'cleanish' lifestyle," Lacey says about resistance training, emphasizing the flexibility of her method.

Proper Walking Technique

To maximize the benefits of walking, it's important to use proper technique. The Mayo Clinic advises: "Your head is up. You're looking forward, not at the ground. Your neck, shoulders, and back are relaxed, not stiffly upright. You're swinging your arms freely with a slight bend in your elbows. A little pumping with your arms is OK."

Getting Started: Essential Gear

Before you begin your walking routine, make sure you have the right equipment. The Mayo Clinic recommends: "Choose shoes with proper arch support, a firm heel, and thick flexible soles to cushion your feet and absorb shock. Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes and gear appropriate for all types of weather, such as layers in cooler weather."

Setting Realistic Goals

When starting a walking routine, it's crucial to set achievable goals. The Mayo Clinic suggests: "For most healthy adults, the Department of Health and Human Services recommends these exercise guidelines: Get at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity a week, or a combination of moderate and vigorous activity."

Tracking Your Progress

Monitoring your walking progress can be a great motivator. The Mayo Clinic advises: "Keeping a record of how many steps you take, the distance you walk and how long it takes can help you see where you started from and serve as a source of inspiration."

Staying Motivated

Maintaining motivation is key to a successful walking routine. The Mayo Clinic offers these tips: "Set yourself up for success. Start with a simple goal, such as, 'I'll take a 5- or 10-minute walk during my lunch break.' When your 5- or 10-minute walk becomes a habit, set a new goal, such as, 'I'll walk for 20 minutes after work.'"

Walk Your Way to Better Health

Lacey Baier's insights, supported by expert advice from the Mayo Clinic, reveal that sustainable weight loss doesn't require extreme measures. By incorporating regular walks into your daily routine and potentially adding some resistance training, you can achieve significant health benefits and long-term weight loss success. Remember, consistency and moderation are key. As Lacey suggests, "Go take a walk to get those steps in today," and start your journey towards a healthier, happier you. "Once you take that first step, you're on the way to an important destination — better health," Mayo Clinic says. And if you enjoyed this article, don't miss 12-3-30 Walking Method: 20 Proven Tips to Lose Weight Faster.