Doctor explains why walking may be more effective than running for fat loss: ‘When you run, your body is mainly…’

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Anesthesiologist and pain management doctor Kunal Sood explains the key differences between walking and running – and why walking may actually be more effective for fat loss. In an Instagram video shared on October 2, the doctor explains how the body’s metabolic response differs between the two — and how it affects weight loss.

walking vs running

According to Dr. Sood, for some people walking can actually help burn fat faster than running. This is because running is a higher intensity activity than walking, which causes the body’s metabolism to function differently.

The doctor explains, “When you run, which is a high-intensity workout, your body will primarily use carbohydrates for energy. Running will also increase your cortisol. Your body will want to refuel on carbs after running. This, combined with the increase in cortisol, will increase cravings for carbs. So although running will burn more calories, it can make some people more hungry making it harder to meet the calorie deficit.”

Benefit

Although walking may be more effective for fat loss, both activities have their own benefits. While walking is a low-intensity activity that helps maintain a calorie deficit without significantly increasing appetite, running may be more effective for some individuals without strict fat loss goals. Dr. Sood explains, “There are other benefits of running such as for some people it can improve their mental health and in that case running may still be a better option for you.”

Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. It is based on user-generated content from social media. HT.com has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them.