The NHS has shared a tip for people trying to lose weight: getting off the bus a stop or two early can help increase daily movement. The health service explains that to lose weight, people need to use more energy than they consume, creating a calorie deficit where the body relies on fat stores for fuel.
Small changes can make a difference
The NHS Better Health website notes that even ten minutes of movement each day can make a difference. A webpage dedicated to losing weight states: "Changing what you eat can help you lose weight, but moving more can help you keep the weight off. Getting more active brings many other health benefits too. Even ten minutes a day can make a difference."
The guidance suggests: "Start small by finding easy ways to fit more activity into your daily life and build up from there. For example: Stand rather than sit when you can, like on train or bus journeys, or try getting off the bus a stop or two early and walking the rest of the way." Motorists are advised to park a little further away than needed, take the stairs instead of the lift, or walk up escalators.
Free resources and apps
The NHS offers free exercise plans, home workout videos, and apps such as the Couch to 5K app for beginners and the Active 10 app to track daily walks. Highlighting the benefits of brisk walking, the NHS website says: "Sometimes overlooked as a form of exercise, walking briskly can help you build stamina, burn excess calories and make your heart healthier. You do not have to walk for hours. A brisk 10-minute daily walk has lots of health benefits and counts towards your 150 minutes of weekly exercise."
