Woman Burns 38 Pounds After Discovering This Simple Walking Secret
Are you walking every day but aren't achieving the weight loss results you desire? There is a way to majorly up your walking game, according to one expert. Melissa Chiappone, AKA Mel the Midlife Health & Fitness Coach, lost 38 pounds in her late 40s and helps other women do the same. In a recent social media post, she reveals a genius hack that enabled her to lose weight and build muscle while getting her steps in. "I thought everyone knew this fat loss hack, but apparently not," she writes in the Instagram caption.
Weighted Vest Helps a Lot
"If you are a woman over 30 and you prioritize getting your steps in, but you're not wearing a weighted vest, you're missing out on a lot!" she says in the post. "Wearing a weighted vest while walking can be a great way for you to level up your fitness routine without drastically changing your workouts." She goes on to list some "key benefits."
Increased Calorie Burn
According to Melissa, the first major benefit of "rucking" is increased calorie burn. "Adding weight increases the intensity of your walk and helps burn more calories," she says in the post.
Improved Strength and Bone Density
The next benefit is improved strength and bone density. "The added resistance can strengthen muscles, especially in the lower body, as well as help improve bone density. This is important for women, particularly in midlife, as it helps combat osteoporosis and maintains muscle mass," she explains.
Improved Cardiovascular Health
There are also heart health benefits. Melissa says "improved cardiovascular health" is a major benefit of wearing weighted vests. "It challenges your heart and lungs, improving cardiovascular endurance over time," she says.
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Posture and Core Engagement
Want to improve your posture while engaging your core? Wear a weighted vest! "It forces you to engage your core muscles to maintain good posture, which can lead to better balance, stability, and reduced risk of injury over time," Melissa suggests.
Camila Cabello's Trainer Also Recommends Weighted Vests
Other experts agree that wearing a weighted vest can be a game changer. Celebrity fitness trainer and health and wellness expert Jenna Willis. The Los Angeles-based fitness expert, whose clients include Camila Cabello and Lala Kent, recently spoke to Body Network and recommended adding resistance in the form of a weighted vest or ankle weights. "When you wear a weighted vest or add some ankle weights to your walk, you are carrying extra weight as you walk, making your muscles work harder to move your body forward," she says.
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It's Similar to Walking on an Incline
She said that it works just like walking on an incline. "Similar to adding an incline, your muscles need more energy, which equals you burning more calories. While putting a higher demand on your body, in turn, you are burning more calories and building strength simultaneously!" she continued.
It Improves Cardio
There is also scientific evidence backing up the many benefits. The first focuses on cardio. A study conducted by the University of New Mexico found that using weighted vests increased VO2 max when women wore them while walking slowly on the treadmill.
It Can Also Improve Bone Density
Another study found a link between bone density and wearing a weighted vest. Older participants of the study who wore a vest increased bone density by 1% in comparison to the group who didn't wear a weighted vest. Over the course of the study those who didn't wear a weighted vest experienced a 0.6% decrease.
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And, Hip Bone Density
It can also improve hip bone density, according to a study published by The Journals of Gerontology. When postmenopausal women wore a vest, hip bone density loss was prevented, and bone mineral density was maintained over a period of 5 years. And if you enjoyed this article, take advantage of these 31 Fitness Tips Every Beginner Needs to Look Sexy, According to Coaches.
