Lets have a chat about Walking replacing your workouts during the Summer...
Walking is an ever popular "physical" activity...
It was the most popular reason for quitting the gym/stopping working out for the summer while I worked at the gym. Walking is a great form of exercise and don't get me wrong I think it might be the best form of exercise for some... you can go for a walk for FREE and you can do it no matter how fit you are or what it is your goals are. And hey I get that it's nice outside and that you enjoy being outside, so do I, but is it enough?
Lets break it down...
An average woman that weighs about 180 lbs burns 178 calories walking for 30 minutes.
If that same woman did a 30 min elliptical workout as well as a moderate weight lifting workout for 30 minutes she burns 604 calories.
So for that woman to equal the calories burned from doing both the strength and cardio workouts she would have to walk for 1 hour and 40 minutes! Are you going to walk for 1 hour and 40 minutes at least 3 times a week to make up for not doing a full workout?
While that may seem likely, and I'm sure that most have the best intentions and may keep that up but what about the muscle tone you have gained throughout the colder months? If you don't use it you lose it...
I know that no one wants to be inside at the gym on a sunny Saturday (least of all me) but to be honest with you, your more likely to keep up your strength and muscle tone over the nicer summer months (when more of your body is showing) if you do continue to go to the gym or at the very least continue your strength training workouts.
I know that you might be going to the cabin or going camping every weekend, but lets be honest how often do you workout on the weekend? Plus you can still get in 3 to 4 workouts if you go to the gym or make exercise a priority Monday to Thursday...
And finally how can we forget that the most common thing to do in the summer is to gather with friends and family... and what do we do when we gather?
We EAT!
Were are taught from birth that at a gathering there MUST be food! Which is fine and if you moderate your eating than its not a big deal but... the most common food we eat in Summer when we gather is BBQ and we wash it down with beer or other high calorie alcoholic drinks, even if you don't drink the fruity beverages we are more inclined to drink during summer are higher in sugar and calories as well... So BBQ is kinda of a lose-lose situation when you pair it with reduced workouts and no strength training.
Long story short...
Walking is great for you and your body, I love walking and its something you can do no matter your age, weight, or your athletic ability, however pair it with some strength training and you have the recipe for success when it comes to losing weight and toning up! Don't sell yourself short over the Summer... Enjoy the nice weather, family outings, BBQ and drinks but keep up with your strength workouts so you don't have to start over next fall!
