Walk Off 10 Pounds: 3 Things to Stop, 3 Things to Start (No Gym Required!)

Hey, you! Yeah, you—the one who’s stared at the scale like it’s a mean ex who won’t text back. Weight loss used to feel like a cosmic prank—diets that left me hangry, workouts that left me limping, and a body that just shrugged like, “Nah, I’m good.” But then I cracked the code with something so simple it’s almost ridiculous: walking.

Turns out, it’s less about fancy gear and more about ditching bad habits while picking up smart ones. So, can you shed 10 pounds with a stroll? Heck yes—if you tweak a few things. Here’s my no-BS rundown: 3 things you need to stop doing to lose 10 pounds, and 3 things you need to start doing to lose 10 pounds. Let’s roll.

3 Things You Need to Stop Doing to Lose 10 Pounds

1. Stop Treating Walking Like a Chore
   I used to groan at the thought of walking—like it was some punishment for eating an extra taco. Newsflash: That vibe kills the whole gig. If you’re dragging your feet, muttering about how you’d rather be Netflixing, you’re missing the point. Walking’s not a jail sentence; it’s freedom with sneakers. I had to flip the script—now it’s my sanity break, not a “should.”
2. Stop Thinking You Need to Sprint Like a Track Star
   Raise your hand if you’ve ever thought, “If I’m not drenched in sweat, it doesn’t count.” (My hand’s up too.) I’d see joggers zooming past and feel like a slacker just strolling along. Turns out, slow and steady burns fat too—about 200-300 calories an hour at a decent pace. Ditch the pressure to run; walking’s your chill MVP.
3. Stop Skipping It Because You’re ‘Too Busy’
   “I’ll walk tomorrow” was my anthem—until tomorrow became never. Life’s hectic, I get it. Work, errands, that one friend who texts novels—I’ve got excuses for days. But here’s the truth: 20 minutes of walking isn’t a luxury, it’s a lifeline. I stopped pretending I’d magically find time and just made it non-negotiable.

3 Things You Need to Start Doing to Lose 10 Pounds

1. Start Making It Fun—Your Way
   Walking’s boring? Only if you let it be. I started popping in earbuds—true crime podcasts one day, ’90s throwbacks the next—and suddenly, I was clocking miles without noticing. Some days, I’d wander the park, chasing squirrels with my eyes (not my legs—I’m not that coordinated). Point is, make it yours. Fun keeps you coming back.
2. Start Pairing It With Tiny Food Wins
   Walking alone won’t melt 10 pounds if you’re still treating chips like a food group (guilty). I didn’t overhaul my life—just swapped late-night snacks for an apple or a handful of nuts. Nothing drastic, just enough to tip the scales. Walking burns the calories; smarter eating seals the deal.
3. Start Celebrating the Small Stuff
   I used to obsess over the big “10 pounds gone!” moment, ignoring the little victories—like not gasping after a hill or fitting into jeans without a prayer. Start noticing those wins. They’re proof you’re moving forward, even if the scale’s slow to catch up. For me, every extra loop around the block was a high-five to myself.

How It Clicked for Me

I didn’t wake up one day as Walking Wonder Woman. It was messy—missed days, lazy paces, the works. But I stopped beating myself up and started showing up. A month in, I was down 4 pounds. Three months? Ten pounds lighter, and I felt like me again—not a number, just Jen, vibing through life. No gym, no starvation, just steps and a little swagger.

You’ve Got This, I Swear

I see you—tired, skeptical, wondering if this is another flop waiting to happen. Been there, felt that. But walking’s different—it’s the friend who doesn’t judge when you’re a hot mess. Stop overcomplicating it, start stepping out, and watch those 10 pounds sneak away. You’re stronger than you think, and I’m cheering you on.

Love this real-talk approach? Follow me on YouTube for more tips to kickstart your first 10 pounds!

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