I'm a personal trainer and former competitive athlete, but the stress of working as a registered nurse for the last three years resulted in my completely falling off my exercise program.
This significant lifestyle change also led to me gaining 30 pounds and developing chronic pain and depression. The statistics prove I'm not alone. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only 28% of Americans get enough structured exercise and daily movement.
This year, I decided to recommit myself to my mental and physical health and return to the gym. For the last 6 months, I've been hitting my strength training workouts 2-3 times weekly and feeling much better for it. However, I knew that to meet all my physical activity requirements, I'd need to work my heart as well as my muscles.
I decided to embark on a 30 days of walking journey by adding an additional 30-minute walk into my day for one month. I'm naturally competitive, so I knew that by setting a daily goal for myself, I'd be motivated to stick to it long-term.
In this article, I'll share my incredible results after walking 30 minutes a day for one month, as well as the health benefits of walking, backed by the latest research. I'll also share everything you need to know to start your own walking journey and reap the benefits of daily movement for life.
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Health Benefits of Walking Every Day: What I Discovered
As a personal trainer, I've noticed my clients are often surprised when I include daily walking in their weekly goals.
As a fitness professional, I know that simply squeezing in a few workouts a week is not enough to prevent weight gain and chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, and stroke. This is because most of us live a sedentary lifestyle, sitting most of the day and not getting enough exercise throughout the week.
In combination, this one-two punch leaves us at risk for many chronic health conditions in addition to a loss of mobility, muscle tissue, and bone density as we age.
The benefits of walking 30 minutes daily for a month, equating to 3,000-4,000 daily steps for most, are substantial, especially for those who are completely sedentary. Those benefits increase the more you can walk, so there has never been a better reason to get moving today.
GymBird Beginner Fitness Program
Best for beginner at-home routine
Access our 6 week at-home program, gain a strong fitness foundation, and start feeling your best all for less than the cost of a single month at a gym! Developed and demonstrated by certified personal trainer with over ten years of experience.
Instant access to 6-week workout plan
Demonstration videos for proper form
At-home workouts - minimal equipment needed
Decreased All-cause Mortality
All-cause mortality (ACM) refers to death attributed to any cause for a particular population in a specific period. ACM is a handy metric that helps us understand complex topics and risk categories in medicine.
Certain activities have a high ACM, such as smoking or a sedentary lifestyle. Smoking increases your all-cause mortality by 40%, and sitting for 6-8 hours daily is associated with significantly higher mortality rates.
One 2019 Harvard study found that walking 4,400 steps daily significantly reduced ACM in older women. This is big news as most Americans struggle to reach their minimum physical activity requirements.
Increased VO2 Max
You may not think of walking as cardio if you are a fit person exercising regularly, but it absolutely counts! In fact, walking has been shown to improve your VO2 max–a measure of cardiorespiratory health and sports performance–which represents how much oxygen your body needs during exercise.
A higher VO2 max means a healthier cardiorespiratory system.
Improved Mental Health & Mood
We have long known that exercise has mental and physical benefits, including walking.
A 2018 study published in Environment and Behavior shows that walking in nature lowered our primary stress hormone called cortisol and improved mood better than simply watching nature scenes or physical exercise alone.
A landmark study published in The British Journal of Sports Medicine in February 2023 also showed that physical activity is up to 1.5x as effective in treating depression, anxiety, and stress as medication or therapy.
Walking then is an excellent addition to your fitness regimen and a great way to increase your mood, lower stress, and improve your mental health.
Better Sleep Quality
Getting enough sleep is crucial for our health, and abnormal sleep patterns (either too much or too little) increase your all-cause mortality risk.
A study published in Sleep Health showed that regular daily walks increased sleep duration and quality for both men and women. Interestingly, similar results have been observed for those with insomnia and those without it.
Boosts Your Immune System
Multiple studies have shown that moderate-intensity exercise, such as a brisk 30-minute walk, helps our immune system defend against pathogens and fight illness.
Impact of Walking Every Day on Weight Loss or Maintenance
If you're targeting weight loss, body fat reduction, or weight maintenance, embarking on a 30 days of walking challenge is a phenomenal tool you should be using.
Engaging in a 30-minute walk daily for a month can burn an additional 100 calories a day, with 10,000 steps burning around 400 calories daily. Also, 42 studies have shown that regular walking effectively decreases body fat.
Furthermore, walking up to 12,000 steps daily, especially when combined with regular exercise, notably decreases fat in the hips and abdomen areas while also improving cholesterol and blood sugar levels.
By adding the small daily habit of a 30-minute walk, you will not only burn more calories but, crucially, you'll build the practice of everyday movement. After a month or two of walking 4,000 steps a day, you will have built trust in yourself and increased your confidence.
Suddenly, shooting for 6,000 steps a day won’t seem that hard. This is how you build daily movement and structured exercise into your life: by setting small and achievable goals, you can stick to.
It's clear that walking is an effective tool to help improve body composition, weight loss, and weight maintenance, and the more you can walk–the better.
Cardiovascular Health and Walking
Aerobic exercise, such as brisk walking, is required to keep our cardiovascular system healthy. In fact, it's one of the best interventions modern medicine has available to fight aging and keep your memory sharp and arteries clear. Regular aerobic exercise is better than any drug, and walking is the best way to start.
Cardiovascular benefits of regular walking:
- Decreased blood pressure
- Decreased risk of diseases like heart attack, heart disease, and stroke
- Decreased resting heart rate (RHR)
- Improved cholesterol profile
Walking Is Backed by Science
It's clear that a 30-minute walk each day offers tremendous health benefits and improves your health and fitness in many ways.
A daily 30-minute walk offers the following benefits.
- Decreased all-cause mortality
- Increased VO2 max
- Better sleep quality
- A boosted immune system
- Weight loss & weight maintenance
- Decreased body fat
- Improved body mass index (BMI)
- Decreased blood pressure
- Decreased resting heart rate
- Improved cholesterol profile
- Reduced stress, anxiety, and depression
- Improved mental health
My Experience Walking 30 Minutes a Day for One Month
Before I share my 30-day walking challenge journey with you, I want to divulge a few facts about me.
- I have three large hunting dogs who require a LOT of exercise.
- I LOVE walking.
- I'm able-bodied and have zero movement restrictions.
- I have a FitBit Inspire 2.
Because of all these things, I am an active person at baseline, so my experience may differ from yours–and that is okay!
The evidence is clear that no matter where you are on your health and fitness journey, any amount of walking is incredible for your health, and remember–we all start somewhere.
Getting Started
I began my walking journey in the middle of the summer, and I had been kicking around in the same tattered sneakers for quite a while, so I bought a new pair. I always find new exercise gear highly motivating as it excites me to use them.
I am also blessed because I live directly next to a park and nature preserve, so finding a safe place to walk outdoors was not a problem.
Because I'm competitive, starting a new fitness routine is typically fun and exciting for me, and I jumped right into walking.
My FitBit allowed me to carefully track my daily walks, letting me gamify the process and have fun with it.
I loved throwing on my headphones each day and listening to music or a story as I walked, and my dogs loved the extra activity, too.
The first week went off without a hitch, and I met my goal of walking at least 30 minutes (or 4,000 steps) a day.
Challenges & Triumphs
By the second week, I ran into a problem with the weather.
This summer was one of the rainiest in my memory, continually challenging my new happy habit.
I certainly could drive the 15 minutes to my gym and walk, but I preferred walking outdoors and getting the added exercise for my pups.
So, instead, I began looking at the weather report every morning.
The summer storms typically hit in the afternoon, so I was able to squeeze in my walk early in the day.
It was the reverse sometimes, so I had to be flexible.
In general, I found it relatively easy to squeeze in my 30-minute walk somewhere.
By the end of the third week, I noticed I had more energy throughout the day and wasn't relying on my afternoon cup of coffee anymore.
I was also sleeping better. In general, I felt lighter, happier, and more hopeful.
Getting out in nature, listening to music, and that extra daily activity left me feeling great.
My Results After Walking 30 Minutes a Day for One Month
I had no specific goals when I started this journey other than achieving 30 minutes of walking every day.
But I was blown away by my results.
After just one month of walking 30 minutes daily (in addition to my three weekly strength workouts):
- I lost 1.5 inches off my waist
- I had more energy and needed less caffeine
- My stress was lower, and my optimism was higher
- I was ready to increase my step goal
What surprised me most about my results was how the simple habit of walking transformed other aspects of my life for the better.
After just a few weeks of keeping this promise I made to myself, I was willing to add more healthy habits like eating protein with every meal and adding a weekly cardio class.
This is the magic of habit building: it is a skill in and of itself.
When you learn how to build habits and keep your promises to yourself, you build your capacity to establish new habits.
Other Daily Waking Success Stories
I'm not the only one who has succeeded with a daily walking habit and achieved impressive results.
Check out these success stories from people like you who have used walking to improve their mental and physical health, lose weight, and keep moving as they age.
Testimonials
Check out Kayla Nelson's vlog, where she shares her experience walking 30 minutes a day for one month. Kayla is a physical therapist who works 12-hour shifts at the hospital.
Kayla's 30-minute daily walk results included:
- More energy
- Boosted mood
- Improved sleep
- 1.5 inches off her waist
- 0.5 inches off her thighs
This article explores Jess Bantleman's experience trying the 30-day walking challenge. Jess is a social media manager in the UK.
Jess' 30-minute daily walk results included:
- Increased mental clarity
- Improved core strength
- A sense of accomplishment
Rebecca Thomas is a 47-year-old restaurant owner who used daily walking to help her lose 50 pounds. She credits starting small and building the habit over time to her success.
Blog Posts
Check out these blog posts for more information on the benefits of walking 30 minutes every day.
8 Amazing Benefits of Walking: A 30-Minute Walk Can Completely Transform Your Day.
30 Minutes of Daily Walking Can Change Your Life!
Why you should be walking (at least) 30 minutes per day!
Why I Love Going on My 30 Minute Walk Every Day
Walking & Hiking Forums
How to Get Started Walking 30 Minutes a Day
I have some tips if you'd like to try your own 30-minute daily walking challenge but need help figuring out where to start.
First, Know Your Why
We are all walking for different reasons, and it's crucial you take the time to think about why you are starting now. There are no wrong answers! Once you've got it, write down your reason and put it up somewhere you will see it every day.
This will help you tap into that deeper desire when you're struggling with motivation.
Decide Where and When You Will Walk
Walking outside is fantastic, but you'll have to deal with the weather and bugs. Walking on a treadmill is great, too, and you may want to do both. Either way, think about what you prefer and stick with it.
Next, make a plan. Whenever you are creating a fitness routine (or making any health change), you want to make the right choice, the easiest one for future you.
Most people think that being healthy and fit means you have ironclad willpower, but the fittest people know that willpower has very little to do with it. Instead, fit people consistently engineer their environments to make healthy choices, the easiest ones available.
If you have a predictable schedule, you could schedule your walks for the whole month. If not, schedule them one week at a time and treat them as essential appointments. You wouldn't skip a doctor's visit or a 1:1 with your boss, so prioritize your appointments with yourself equally.
Lay out your walking clothes the night before and make sure your water bottle, headphones, etc. are ready too.
Anticipate Challenges
You know what they say about the best-laid plans. No matter how dedicated you are to your fitness goals, life will inevitably get in the way at times.
You must acknowledge that and build the mental resilience to overcome the curveballs you know may come. How do you build mental resilience? You give yourself compassion and grace when you make a mistake.
The all-or-nothing mentality plaguing many of us regarding fitness and our bodies is unhealthy. You are not perfect if you hit your daily walking goal for the month or terrible if you don't.
You are a resilient, strong, capable human being making strides to honor your body with movement and become a healthier version of yourself.
If you miss a day (or a week), simply get right back at it. No shame or blame is required. And when you're back in the habit, take the time to evaluate the moment you got off track. Consider it simply as a scientist reviewing a failed experiment with no judgment, just curiosity.
Is this something that has happened before? Why?
Was there any way to predict it?
Could I have handled the challenge differently?
Illness, crisis, and craziness happen, and sometimes you just need to take time off. Other times, we fall off the wagon due to poor planning or lack of follow-through, which we can address.
Get Walking
You've written down your why, you have a plan in place, and you're ready to tackle any challenges that come your way.
Now it's time to walk. Because walking is so low impact, most people do not need a warm-up. However, if you've been entirely inactive, you plan on walking quickly or on an incline; walk at a leisurely pace for at least 5 minutes first.
If you have severe health issues, you can check with your healthcare provider first, but most people can start walking without a problem.
Bottom Line: Walking 30 Minutes a Day for a Month Results
Walking 30 minutes a day for a month was a fun and easy way to increase my daily movement. Daily walking is an evidence-based approach to losing or maintaining weight, improving heart health, and boosting your mood and energy levels. It's also a great adjunct to support your mental health.
After 30 days of walking, I lost inches off my waist, and my mood and outlook on life improved considerably.
For those inspired to embark on their own 30-minute daily walking journey for a month, here are tips to maximize your results and enhance your experience.
- Know your Why -This is crucial for maintaining your motivation and focus along your journey.
- Make a Plan - Habits don't form themselves, so think about where and when you will walk. Also, set yourself up for success by using calenders, reminders on your phone, and laying out your walking gear ahead of time.
- Anticipate Challenges - Life happens, so when things inevitably knock you off your fitness course, simply jump back into it as soon as you can.
More Walking Advice from GymBird Experts
- Walking Guide: How Walking Fuels Vitality and Wellness
- 10+ Walking Workouts for More Vitality and Wellness
- Cardio vs Walking
- WalkingPad Review: Everything You Want to Know About Walking Pads + Our Top Pick
- How to Get the Most Out of Your WalkingPad
Resources
BMC Psychology. Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health, anxiety, and depression.
US Department of Health and Human Services. Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans.
CDC. Updated Maps of America's High Levels of Inactivity.
American Journal of Preventative Medicine. All-cause mortality Attributable to Sitting Time.
JAMA Internal Medicine. Association of Step Volume and Intensity With All-Cause Mortality in Older Women.
Environment and Behavior. Health Benefits of Walking in Nature: A Randomized Controlled Study Under Conditions of Real-Life Stress.
British Journal of Sports Medicine. Effectiveness of physical activity interventions for improving depression, anxiety, and distress: an overview of systematic reviews.
Sleep Health. Walk to a Better Night of Sleep: Testing the Relationship Between Physical Activity and Sleep.
Physiological Reviews. Exercise and the Immune System: Regulation, Integration, Adaptation.
British Journal of Sports Medicine. Is there evidence that walking groups have health benefits? A systematic review and meta-analysis.
American Heart Association: Circulation. Prospective Association of Daily Steps With Cardiovascular Disease: A Harmonized Meta-Analysis.
