How to walk off 2 sizes!

Scientists love the fun hack helping women like Mary Bergman take weight off 2x faster-then stay fit + healthy for good

- LISA MAXBAUER & ALLISON NEMETZ

Can walking off weight be contagious? It kinda can! Scientists say that when we stroll with a friend or a group, it helps us "catch" good habits.

A University of Pittsburgh study even found that folks in the same fitness program nearly doubled fat loss if they were encouraged to walk in a group rather than alone. And separate research found "social walking" improves wellbeing 26% more than solo treks. So it's no wonder physician Mary Bergman, 69, says the strategy has been crucial to her success while losing and keeping off 160 pounds. Read on for her inspiring story and to find out how much walking pals may benefit you.

The popularity of walking groups is rising steadily, and that’s great news for women over age 50. As it turns out, hitting the pavement helps ward off menopausal weight gain, strengthen bones, ease hot flashes and reduce breast cancer risk. “I’ve also seen many people decrease or get rid of diabetes or blood pressure medications,” notes cardiologist David Sabgir, M.D., FACC, founder of Walk With a Doc, a program that gets physicians and community members walking together. Dr. Sabgir says group walks help 93% of participants feel more empowered to live a healthy life.

And unlike solo walks that are easy to skip when life gets crazy, social walking has a spoonful-of-sugar effect to help keep us coming back for more.

#1 benefit of social walks