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Calories Walking


Submitted by Kevin Pederson on August 20, 2010
Walking is one of the most beneficial forms of exercise as it improves overall health and also assists in the burning of calories. The benefits of walking in weight loss may not be immediately noticeable, but it is definitely effective in the long term. But just how many calories are burned while walking?
A calorie is actually a unit of energy. The food we consume leads to the release of energy due to the metabolism of the body. This energy may either be stored as fat or used in daily functioning. Exercise helps to burn the stored calories and thus assists in weight loss. However, weight loss will not occur if the consumption of calories is higher than the burning of calories. To effectively lose weight, one must eat fewer calories so that the body is forced to utilize the stored calories. One must combine exercise with proper eating to maintain healthy weight. Walking is the simplest type of exercise and has many health benefits. It improves cardiovascular health, strengthens the muscles and also enhances the mental state. The amount of calories burned while walking depends upon the body weight of the individual and the speed of walking. An individual who weighs 150 pounds stands to burn about 100 calories each mile of walking. The burning of calories while walking is greater when the body weight is higher. The type of terrain may also affect the burning of calories. The burning of calories and walking speed is also related. Brisk walking leads to a higher rate of calorie burning. Keeping in mind the body weight, speed and terrain, an individual who walks briskly stand to lose about 230 to 345 calories.
Beginners can start at a slow pace and then gradually increase the speed. A good walking speed is 3 to 4 miles an hour. Walking should be done regularly for it to be effective in weight loss. Thirty minutes of walking daily is beneficial. Once you improve your strength and stamina, you can increase the duration of time you spend walking. Walking is a beneficial cardiovascular workout which helps in burning calories and weight loss. It also helps a person remain in shape and protects from various ailments. It is important to perform this form of exercise consistently in order to reap maximum benefits. There is a difference in the rate of calorie burning while running and walking. It is advisable to select the activity which suits your physical state the best.
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Walking Exercise