Man Walks 30,000 Steps Daily for 30 Days and the Results Were Unexpected
We all know walking is good for us, but how much is too much? YouTube comedian WheezyWaiter decided to find out by challenging himself to walk 30,000 steps every day for a month. His journey offers insights into the physical and mental effects of extreme walking and might just inspire you to lace up your shoes and hit the pavement.
The Challenge Begins: Treadmill Desks and Blisters
WheezyWaiter kicked off his challenge with enthusiasm, investing in a treadmill desk to help reach his daily goal. "I got a treadmill desk because I think that's the only way I can possibly do this," he explained in the post. However, the sudden increase in activity took its toll. "I have blisters on my toes from ramping up my steps these past several days," he admitted.
The Health Benefits of Walking
While WheezyWaiter's challenge was extreme, even moderate walking can have significant health benefits. Barry Franklin, director of preventive cardiology and cardiac rehabilitation at Beaumont Hospital, tells the American Heart Association, "Walking does several things to improve health. It lowers your risk factors for cardiovascular disease, decreases body weight and fat stores, decreases blood sugar levels, modestly improves your lipid profile, and reduces chronic stress."
Finding Time: Walking in Circles and Multitasking
As the challenge progressed, WheezyWaiter found creative ways to fit in steps. "Walking around in circles in the kitchen" became a common strategy. He even incorporated walking into his work routine: "I just wrote my entire wheezy newsletter… and I just got four or 5,000 steps without even thinking about it." WheezyWaiter often found himself walking late into the night to reach his goal. "9:40 PM I amped up the speed of the treadmill, and I actually feel invigorated. The human body is stupid. You make it go. It wants to go," he noted.
The Power of Consistency
Certified personal trainer Stephanie Mansour underlines the importance of consistency: "If walking is your main source of exercise, set a goal of logging at least 30 minutes a day. If weight loss is your goal, aim for longer walks of 45-60 minutes when you can."
The Physical Toll: Soreness, Fatigue, and Unexpected Benefits
The extreme walking regimen had both positive and negative effects on WheezyWaiter's body. "Soreness in one leg. This is a bit of a challenge," he noted early on. Later, he experienced unexpected improvements: "Remember that foot issue I was having like four years ago at the beginning of this challenge? Not there anymore. My feet feel fine. It's amazing how the body can acclimate."
Despite the physical challenges, WheezyWaiter noticed his body adapting. "Today was not hard. This stuff's easy. I don't see why anyone would ever complain about it," he quipped sarcastically after a particularly grueling day.
The Importance of Pace
Franklin emphasizes the importance of walking speed: "There's good data to suggest the most protective walking speed is above 3 mph, which corresponds to more than three times the energy spent at rest. If you can get above that exercise intensity, the benefits are profound."
Mental Challenges: Willpower and Motivation
WheezyWaiter often struggled with motivation. "I'm completely exhausted unless I get a second wind. I don't know that it's happening this time," he shared during a particularly tough day. However, he found that pushing through often led to positive results: "If I just will myself to get up and walk, I almost always feel better even with these extreme amounts." The challenge often tested WheezyWaiter's resolve. "Every time you sit you're like, wow. Wasting opportunity," he observed, highlighting the constant pressure to keep moving.
Stress Relief and Mental Health
Cancer Research UK notes, "It's the perfect way to zone-out and rid yourself of any daily stress. Plus, the exercise-induced endorphins released will leave you feeling better than ever by helping to improve your mood."
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Unexpected Insights
The challenge led WheezyWaiter to appreciate walking in new ways. "Walking's great. Definitely smells like skunk right now. Maybe weed or skunky weed," he observed during an outdoor walk. He also noted the mental benefits: "It's kind of amazing how the brain just relaxes when you walk. It's pretty good."
WheezyWaiter found himself appreciating unexpected moments during his walks. "Definitely wouldn't have seen this if it wasn't for this challenge. Probably be watching Taskmaster or something, which is equally as good, but this is very cool," he reflected while enjoying a scenic view.
Setting Realistic Goals
The Mayo Clinic advises, "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.'"
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Weight Loss and Calorie Intake
WheezyWaiter noticed interesting effects on his weight and appetite. "When I did 20,000 steps a day, I eventually lost 15 pounds, but this time I'm tracking my calories, and I'm basically meeting my calorie requirements for the day every day… my weight is basically staying the same," he observed, adding, "Seems harder to lose weight on 30,000 steps, which is weird. Maybe I'm draining my body of so much energy that I'm just craving more food."
The Cumulative Effect of Walking
Tony Gentilcore, CSCS, tells Runner's World, "One day where you walk a mile doesn't seem like much, but over the course of a week, month, year…that all adds up. There's a lot of empowerment and motivation that can be drawn from that."
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The Final Stretch
As the month-long challenge came to an end, WheezyWaiter reflected on his experience. "I feel really glad that this is over. I mean, honestly, it was not as disruptive as I thought it was going to be because of the treadmill desk situation," he concluded. While he didn't plan to continue walking 30,000 steps daily, the challenge gave him a new perspective on movement and exercise.
In the end, WheezyWaiter's extreme walking challenge demonstrated both the benefits and challenges of pushing your body to its limits. While 30,000 steps a day may not be sustainable for most people, his experience shows that incorporating more walking into your daily routine can have surprising physical and mental benefits. And if you enjoyed this article, don't miss 12-3-30 Walking Method: 20 Proven Tips to Lose Weight Faster.
