Walking every day but not losing weight? This might be the reason

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Walking is an excellent aerobic exercise that helps you maintain fitness and keeps you energetic throughout the day. However, many complain that their body weight refuses to budge despite walking for hours daily. Sometimes, dieticians even joke that ‘Walking will help you lose weight if you are courageous enough to say no to all the desserts you see on the way.’ Funnily enough, the joke hints at how it’s important to not just keep walking but also be a disciplined eater. If you are wondering why your endless walks are not yielding results, here are a few possible reasons:
Slow walking
Walking slowly is great for ensuring mental health and soothing the joints. However, it wouldn’t help you lose weight as slow walking does not raise your heartbeat. Brisk walking or climbing stairs are more effective to shed those extra kilos.
Duration
You will not lose weight if you do not walk enough. If you do not have time to enjoy long walks, make it a habit to walk small rounds after every meal. Besides, walking for at least 15 minutes after the meal could regulate the blood sugar level.
Health conditions
If you are not losing weight despite walking and following a healthy diet, consult a medical practitioner. Health conditions like thyroid, hormone imbalance or insulin resistance may be the real barrier in your weight loss journey.
Stress
High stress could increase the cortisol level, adversely affecting your metabolism. Relaxing techniques like meditation or indulging in your favourite hobbies are great for relieving stress.
Lack of sleep
Lack of sound sleep at night could result in weight gain. Walking regularly will not help if your sleep cycle is not good.
Side effects of medicines
Weight gain is a common side effect of anti-depressants, steroids or beta-blocker medicines that you take for various health conditions. These medicines could interfere with your metabolic rate, making weight loss extremely difficult.
High calorie diet
No amount of walking or exercise will help if you consume an unhealthy diet of high-calorie food and processed sugar. Consuming more calories than your body can burn would make you put on weight. Making a few changes in your lifestyle and diet is essential to shed body weight effectively.