If your idea of a good workout involves breaking a sweat, getting your heart rate up and finishing feeling totally spent, Celebrity Traitors<\/em> star Miranda Hart wants you to take a different approach.<\/p>\n The comedian and actor revealed that one of the simplest forms of movement \u2013 walking<\/a> \u2013 is a regular part of her routine. And not just any walks \u2013 short, slow-paced walks with a focus on mindfulness and nature. Speaking to BBC Woman\u2019s Hour<\/em><\/a>, Hart said she does 20-minute, \u2018very slow\u2019 walks around a field over brisk \u2018power walks\u2019.<\/p>\n She doesn\u2019t chase a particular step count<\/a>, pace or calorie burn, and she\u2019s found that slowing down has completely changed the way she experiences movement, while improving both her physical and mental health.<\/p>\n \u2018I walk slower,\u2019 Hart told Woman\u2019s Hour<\/em>. \u2018And so I look up more and I look around. And it\u2019s the slower pace that really calms my mind.\u2019<\/p>\n There are no complicated intervals or weighted vests<\/a> involved, and yet Hart\u2019s walks have been instrumental in rebuilding a \u2018mind-body connection\u2019 to help her \u2018trust her body again\u2019 after being diagnosed with Lyme disease in 2020. But it\u2019s not just about the mental benefits.<\/p>\n While a gentle 20-minute walk won’t provide the same cardiovascular stimulus as running or a faster-paced walk, it can absolutely still contribute towards your overall physical activity.<\/p>\n In fact, one study<\/a> discovered that women over 50 who walked slower burned more fat than those who sped through their strolls. The researchers theorised that walking at faster speeds could leave you breathless, which makes your body more likely to use blood sugar (a.k.a. glucose) for energy. At slower speeds, you may be more likely to burn fat instead.<\/p>\n Other research<\/a> shows that while it might not count towards the 150 minutes of moderate physical activity recommended by the NHS, even slow, leisurely walks can boost your fitness when they replace sitting time.<\/p>\n A big bonus of Hart\u2019s slow walking routine for anyone who finds traditional exercise intimidating, exhausting or simply unenjoyable is that rather than waiting until you have the time, energy or motivation for a full workout, all you have to do is get outside, walk for 20 minutes and pay attention to what’s around you.<\/p>\n It’s a refreshingly low-pressure place to start: no personal bests, no step targets and no need to finish feeling exhausted.<\/p>\n Want to train like <\/strong>Liz Earle<\/strong><\/a>? Liz\u2019s PT, Michael Garry, has created a 4-week training plan exclusively for members of the WH COLLECTIVE. It\u2019s designed to remove one of the biggest barriers to fitness: time. You\u2019ll train for just 35 minutes three times a week \u2013 Liz\u2019s exact strategy to build muscle, boost metabolism and support long-term health. Tap the link below to unlock 14 free days of training and start Liz\u2019s plan today.<\/strong><\/p>\n![\"miranda](\"https:\/\/hips.hearstapps.com\/hmg-prod\/images\/eeec05b5-970e-4e6c-b6c7-4ce6d82ab1e4.png?resize=980:*\" "\\"miranda")
<\/p>\nMiranda Hart’s walking routine<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/section>\n
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Why slow walking still counts as exercise<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/section>\n
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![\"liz](\"https:\/\/hips.hearstapps.com\/hmg-prod\/images\/351426c4-9f0a-4e8e-a712-448b9fe02ac5.jpg?resize=980:*\" "\\"liz")
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