Martin Lewis has shared his method for keeping physically and mentally fit - saying that while some may consider it a "bizarre habit", it has left a huge positive impact on his health.
The MoneySavingExpert founder explained that he has set himself challenging step count targets for the past seven years, and shared in his latest blog that he had managed to average a whopping 24,630 steps per day in 2022. While Martin admitted that the method was an "obsession", he added: "The health benefits over the last few years have been so positive, I don't want to let it go."
The money expert said that the huge step count amounted to 14 miles a day on average - burning 3,886 calories. But surprisingly, he revealed that his method for attaining such a high number didn't involve any intense sports or hitting the gym - saying that starting off the day on his home treadmill was only the "second biggest factor" in keeping the habit.
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Martin explained that he followed just 'one simple rule' to ensure he hit his step count each day, which was to ensure he was walking around whenever possible - whether that be outdoors or around the house. He said: "If I have a phone call to make, or a meeting that doesn't need a video call, then I do it while walking.
"If I can't get outside to walk, then I either walk around and around my office, or go downstairs and walk on the treadmill. In fact it's now instinctive that if the phone rings and I'm sitting down, I jump up before I answer it, even if it's a friend in the evening, I just jump up from my seat and start walking around the room."
Martin shared the health benefits that he had experienced from his method of keeping fit. "I'm substantially lighter than when I started stepping – no surprise, as according to my fitness tracker I'm burning 3,500 to 4,000 calories a day," he said.
"My core stability is stronger, and some of my repetitive strain injury and back pain has gone - I'd never put this together until I mentioned it to a physio and he asked if I now walked more, as apparently it's a great help for backs." He also said that the habit helps with mental health too, reducing "some of the impact" of stress and anxiety.
Several fans of the finance expert shared their own walking habits on Twitter, praising the positive impacts of the exercise method. One person said: "Martin I couldn't agree with you more, I totally believe counting steps is a life changer - it has certainly had a massive effect on my lifestyle and mental health."
Another added: "Walking has always improved my mood, made me feel connected to nature, given me a sense of freedom & improved aspects of my health as well as my fitness. Walking is a joy, a gift to yourself, even if it's around the kitchen listening to a podcast."
"Good on you," said a third fan. "I aim for 10k each day but also ensure I do 50 minutes of gym each lunchtime. I've lost over 10 kg in the last year. It's done wonders for my mental health."
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