Can Walking Increase Resting Metabolic Rate?

Why Walking Matters for Metabolism

Walking is simple, accessible, and highly effective for boosting overall metabolism.

For women over 35, resting metabolic rate naturally declines due to:

  • Muscle loss
  • Hormonal changes
  • Reduced daily activity

Even moderate walking can help counteract this decline and support fat loss (Metabolism After 35: How It Changes and How to Support It Naturally).

woman walking outdoors wondering if walking increases resting metabolic rate

🔹 How Walking Affects Resting Metabolic Rate

1. Preserves Lean Muscle Mass

Walking, especially brisk walking or incline walking, stimulates muscles, which helps maintain calorie-burning tissue.

  • Less muscle loss → higher resting metabolism
  • Supports long-term fat loss

Learn why muscle preservation is key after 35 (Aging and Muscle Loss: Why It Matters for Fat Loss).


2. Boosts Post-Exercise Calorie Burn

After walking, your body continues to burn calories at a slightly elevated rate:

  • Even a 30-minute walk increases resting energy expenditure for several hours
  • Helps counteract metabolism slowing due to sedentary habits


3. Improves Blood Sugar Control

Walking after meals lowers blood sugar spikes and stabilizes insulin, reducing fat storage risk.

✅ Helpful for women struggling with late-night eating or cravings (Does Eating Late Slow Down Metabolism?).


4. Supports Appetite Regulation

Regular walking helps regulate hunger hormones:

  • Ghrelin (hunger hormone) decreases
  • Satiety hormones improve

✅ Makes it easier to follow a protein-rich diet (Protein and Metabolic Rate: What Science Shows) and avoid overeating.


🔹 How Much Walking Is Needed?

Science-backed guidelines:

  • 30–60 minutes brisk walking daily
  • Can be split into smaller sessions (e.g., 3 × 10–20 min)
  • Incorporate inclines, stairs, or hills to increase intensity

Tip: Walking in the morning can also boost your thermogenesis for the day (Best Morning Habits to Boost Metabolism).


🔹 Walking + Supplements for Metabolism

While walking supports metabolism naturally, some women also use natural metabolism-boosting supplements to maximize results:

  • Helps with fat burning
  • Supports appetite control
  • May enhance energy for workouts


Check out : Best Metabolism Support Supplements for 2026 (Ranked)

 

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  • ✔ Stubborn belly fat
  • ✔ Cravings
  • ✔ Slow metabolism
  • ✔ Hormonal imbalances

Want to know the secret? Check out the 5-second trick used by women on TikTok:

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🔹 Practical Tips for Daily Walking


✅ Frequently Asked Questions 

Q1: Can walking really increase resting metabolic rate?

A1: Yes. Walking preserves lean muscle, improves post-exercise calorie burn, and supports overall metabolism.

Q2: How long should I walk each day for metabolic benefits?

A2: 30–60 minutes of brisk walking daily, or split into shorter sessions throughout the day.

Q3: Can walking replace other forms of exercise?

A3: Walking is excellent for metabolism support, but combining it with resistance training maximizes muscle preservation and calorie burn.




Lauren Hayes, MS, Holistic Nutrition

Lauren Hayes is a nutrition researcher specializing in metabolic health, herbal medicine, and diabetes-friendly weight loss strategies. With a strong background in evidence-based nutrition, she simplifies complex scientific insights to help readers make informed health decisions. Passionate about the intersection of herbal remedies and metabolic wellness, Lauren Hayes provides well-researched, practical guidance for sustainable weight management.

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