We all know how fun and relaxing it is to go out and feel the fresh breeze of air gently flow through our skin. Seeing the blue skies and the bright and revitalizing heat of the sun surely does help us ease the pressure and stress in our daily lives. But how can you enjoy this? Well, the answer to that is by simply going on a hiking adventure whether by yourself or with someone else.
There’s nothing better than connecting yourself to the natural world. However, hiking is not just merely about relaxing and enjoying nature. It’s more than that because getting to go hiking to lose weight is a fact. In this article, you’ll get to know everything about it.
Can Hiking Help You Lose Weight?
Yes, hiking help you lose weight because it is through it that your fat reserves get burned up. It’s in the burning of fats that you lose the mass that adds to your added weight. Other than that, it also improves your cardiovascular performance. An improved cardiovascular system leads to better bodily functions, which then makes the burning of fat easier.
How Hiking Helps You Lose Weight?
1. Burns Calories
The main reason as to why hiking helps you lose weight is because it burns calories. Every time you move and exert effort, you burn calories. In the case of hiking, you move your entire body, especially your legs. You carry your weight as you move and you move your arms by swinging it back and forth. All of this happens while all of the muscles throughout your body work together in giving you the stability so that you won’t fall over.
2. Improved Metabolism
When you go hiking, your body’s metabolism process improves. When this happens, your body’s functions start working properly. Your digestive, circulatory, and nervous system become in good shape, which then results in the improvement of your metabolism. Metabolism is the chemical process that converts the food you eat into energy. The better your metabolism process is, the better you are at turning the food and drinks you take in raw energy.
3. Gives You a Positive Outlook
Going on a hike also helps improve your psychological health. This happens because you get to connect with nature. We, humans, have an innate characteristic of becoming happy when we are exposed to a wider environment. By simply going to a new place, seeing something new, or meeting new people, we become happier because we don’t feel alone. It’s with this feeling of happiness and satisfaction that you get a positive outlook on life. This positive vibe is then what motivates you to strive harder in losing weight.
Comparing the Calories Burned in Hiking, Walking, Swimming, Dancing, and Running
Hiking is way better than walking because you burn more calories when you go for a hike. If you weigh 175 pounds, you’ll burn about 1,100 calories once you go hiking for two hours. On the other hand, you’ll only burn around 500 calories if you’re just walking for two hours. That’s how big the gap is.
But when hiking is compared to swimming, the latter is more efficient in burning calories. If you weigh 180 pounds, you can burn as much as 1,600 calories for two hours. This happens because you exert more energy and effort as you move through water.
If you go dancing for two hours you’ll burn around 960 calories. You don’t burn as much calories when compared to hiking because your don’t walk through different terrains when dancing.
You’ll get to burn a whopping 2,000 calories if you go running for two hours straight. If you really want to get maximum results, it’s recommended that you go running. Just be sure you have the stamina and endurance so that you won’t sustain any injuries.
However, hiking will be more dangerous than the other methods.You should always be prepared as there are many wild animals. For this reason, you need to have a boot knife and the right way to wear them.
How Much Weight Can You Lose When Regularly Hiking?
Learning about how much weight loss you’ll get in hiking has a lot to do with your current weight. The rule of thumb here is the lighter you are, the less weight you lose. This is because you exert more effort in carrying your body if you weigh more, thus burning more calories. If for example, you weigh 175 pounds.
You hike for two hours three times a week. By the end of that week, you’ll lose around a pound of weight. But if you’re heavier than 175 pounds, the amount of weight loss that you’re going to achieve will also increase.
Conclusion
Yes, hiking is a very useful exercise if you want to lose weight. Going on a hike burns more calories than walking because you move your entire body. All of the muscles and bones throughout your body exert effort in supporting your weight, keeping your stable, and helping you to move.
The unhealthy calories, fats, and toxins inside your body are all flushed out in the form of sweat when you go hiking. This leads to a healthier and fit body. Aside from the physical benefits that you’ll get out of hiking, you’ll also feel an improvement in your psychological health.
You’ll feel happier and more motivated in life thanks to the connection you get when you on a hike. Indeed, hiking is what you need if you want to live a strong, healthy, and fit life.
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Going on a Hiking to Lose Weight? Learn About the Surprising Facts
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Hiking is proven to help you lose weight as it burns lots of calories. You not only get stronger, but you also become happier with your life.
Bio: Hi there, I’m Melanie Campbell, Founder at Ardentfootsteps.com. I’m here to give you expert advice and proven tips on how to make the most out of your camping adventure.