The daily walking target of 10,000 steps is widely recognised as the goal in order to see improvements in your health and weight management. But while taking 10,000 steps a day can improve your fitness, without any dietary changes it will not be enough for you to see any weight loss. If your primary aim is to lose weight you will need to follow eating principles as well as the walking targets. However, if you feel you may find it difficult to cope with both the walking and the diet, then just follow the walking plan. You will definitely feel better, see improvements in your body shape and find that your clothes fit better. Some of my clients who have completed a 28-day programme focusing on the walking alone have experienced such improvements in their self-esteem, confidence and energy levels that they have immediately enrolled in another 28-day plan and addressed their eating as well.

Taking 10,000-12,000 steps a day and changing your eating habits will result in weight loss and inch loss. If you want to experience weight loss but are not prepared to adjust your eating habits, studies have shown you will need to take in the region of 20,000 steps a day. Even without weight loss, regular moderate exercise will reduce your abdominal fat and insulin resistance. This improved fitness is important for decreasing the risk of chronic diseases.

Buy Joanna Hall's book, Step Counter Diet

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Walking and weight loss