Hello!

121 Comment

Losing weight can be difficult for anyone – you have to get your head in the right place and you have to be mentally ready for it. But for new mums, it can be even more difficult – suddenly, you have to look after a whole new person, your house and your family. This can make losing weight fall right back on the list of your priorities, but luckily, there is one thing you can do to lose weight that’s easy, free and you can do it with your baby. All you have to do is walk – 10,000 steps per day.

The average person walks between 900 and 3,000 steps per day – so you might think that getting up to 10,000 steps per day is a bit of a challenge. However, you can do it – you just need a pedometer so you can track your steps. 

How much weight could I lose?

Walking 10,000 steps every day will burn off roughly 3,500 extra calories per week. And burning off 3,500 calories per week burns off half 500g of fat – so combine your walking routine with a healthy and sensible diet and you can easily lose between 500g – 1kg a week. This weight loss is healthy, sustainable and easy – and it will help you to maintain your weight in the long term.

Generally, you need to create a calorie deficit of up to 700-800 calories per day – this will make your weight loss even more sustainable. So if you eat 2,000 calories per day, reduce your intake to around 1,700 or 1,800 – this calorie deficit probably won’t even be noticeable, but in conjunction with the 500 calories you’ll be burning off every day through walking, it’s an excellent way to melt away the weight.

Why is walking good for me?

Walking is good for you in other ways, too, aside from helping you to lose weight – it helps reduce the risk of obesity, and with it, the risk of heart disease and liver disease. Walking regularly also halves your risk of certain diseases and cancers, and it also helps you to feel fit and healthy – and the endorphins it releases will make you feel happier, too!

Walking also improves your energy levels – the more you walk, surprisingly, the more energetic you’ll feel. It also improves your posture.

How quickly should I walk?

Research has shown that if you walk your 10,000 steps in a brisk half hour or hour, it is better for you than if you take those steps leisurely instead. A brisk walk gets your cardiovascular system working, which reduces the risk of heart disease and heart attack – it also reduces the risk of high blood pressure later on in life. Walking briskly also burns more calories off, so the faster you walk, the more effective the exercise. However, if you can’t get your steps in in just half an hour, that’s fine too – any exercise is much better than none.

How can I Increase the number of steps I take?

It might seem a scary prospect to increase your steps to 10,000 per day, but there are a few ways to do it at home with your baby.

  • Put your baby into a pram and pound the pavements – and the hills, as you’ll burn off twice as many calories if you walk up a big hill. The pram also creates resistance, making the exercise more effective.
  • Hold baby tightly in your arms or put them in a sling and have a boogie around the house!
  • You’ve got floor space – so use it! When your baby is napping, run up and down the stairs, do laps around your living room or run round the garden.
  • Use your spare time. You might not think you have any spare time, but take periods such as television commercials as an opportunity to exercise – jog on the spot or run round your house and you can really increase your step count for the day in just a few minutes.

If you’re new to exercise, speak to your doctor or midwife before starting.

  • This should help get me motivated and walking again, once my ankle heals.

    Reply

  • So great to get out…alone!!

    Reply

  • I try to walk more often

    Reply

  • I’ll have to get out and walk more.

    Reply

  • 10,000 steps would take you longer then half a hour and a hour

    Reply

  • wow that there are such great tips and ideas to drop the weight.

    Reply

  • This is a great article Rhian. After delivering my bub I started with an aim to walk 10,000 steps a day and have to say it has helped me move some of those kilos I gained – still have more to go but good motivation

    Reply

  • thank with these tips and my soup i am on my way to skinnyness

    Reply

  • an interesting read thanks for it

    Reply

  • Wow I am trying to lose weight so this information is very useful for me I am going to try this.

    Reply

  • I used to think I walked enough, but recently I invested in a Fit Bit Zip and discovered I usually only walk around 7500 steps a day. Now that I can see it, it has motivated me to walk more.

    Reply

  • Since I am not allowed to drive for another 4 weeks after having a c section and then having my gallbladder removed I have been walking a lot more! hopefully that will aid in my weightloss

    Reply

  • a good reason to get out of the house more

    Reply

  • This article has just inspired me to find that pedometer of mine which remains hidden in the spare room and put it back to use. It will help me get healthier, physically and mentally while also keeping me motivated to reach 10, 000 steps per day

    Reply

  • I love a quick walk. Its very relaxing.

    Reply

  • Great tips. Will definately give it a go.

    Reply

  • Well I definitely need to get a pedometer then so can work on thay many steps a day. So needing lose some baby weight

    Reply

  • We have a couple of acres, so doing 10,000 steps a day isn’t so hard, except in winter.

    Reply

  • I won a FitBit in May on MoM, it is wonderful, it is encouraging me to increase my steps all the time, I’m now doing between 12000 and 25000 steps per day depending on what we have on:) Now, time to work on that diet!


    • What is a fit bit?Sounds interesting!



      • Congrats Beagle, am looking at buying this or something similar.

    Reply

  • Wow that is a lot of steps, but I suppose if you constantly running around after kids the 10,000 steps would go quick

    Reply

Post a comment

To post a review/comment please join us or login so we can allocate your points.

↥ Back to top

Thanks For Your Star Rating!

Would you like to add a written rating or just a star rating?

Write A Rating Just A Star Rating
Join