Walking Is the Secret to Weight Loss

We'll be honest: You need more than one tool in your belt if you're trying to lose weight. But walking makes all of them work better. Here's how.

- ALYSSA JUNG

Say you were the bookshelf-building type (maybe you are!): You wouldn't try to do it with just a bunch of wood, right? You'd need a saw, a hammer, some nails, maybe a level and sandpaper too. A literal toolbox to create the thing you want.

If the thing you want-besides a nice new bookshelf-is to lose weight, you still need a toolbox, just one of a different sort. Paying attention to what you eat and how much you sleep, doing regular physical activity, managing stress effectively, and staying well hydrated are all crucial to a healthy you. "The same things that help your body function at an optimal level are key when it comes to losing weight," explains Darria Long, M.D., an emergency physician, a clinical assistant professor at University of Tennessee School of Medicine, and founder of trueve.com. "People may think all these good-for-you habits are unrelated, but we have solid evidence that they are interconnected and play important roles in weight loss." So you've just got to put them together in a way that leads to losing weight. One insider trick to help you do that involves something we know you love: good old walking! Walking is such a powerful activity that it can help every other healthy habit you adopt work harder. By being strategic about how your walks fit into your eating, sleeping, and other activities, you can easily and effectively shed weight. "I love walking as a wellness tool because everyone can do it and you don't need equipment," says Denise Austin, a fitness expert and walking superfan. "Good walking shoes and somewhere to do it are all you need." Who's ready to lose some weight?!

WEIGHT-LOSS TOOL:

Eating balanced meals