Armed with this knowledge, YouTuber Jack Massey Welsh embarked on an ambitious journey far exceeding the usual 10,000 steps per day, aiming for a total of 250,000 steps over the course of seven days.
The British YouTuber set a daily goal of 37,700 steps, equivalent to a half marathon plus nearly an additional four miles, to observe any changes in his body or health.
Jack documented his exhausting seven-day challenge, dividing his walks into three segments each day, spending nearly five hours walking.
During his first morning walk at 7:30 am, Jack confidently remarked: “It’s just one step in front of the other, so walking is such an easy challenge because you kind of just automatically do it.”
However, Jack soon acknowledged he underestimated the difficulty of the task.
By the second day, he commented: “Putting one step in front of the other is no easy task at all. Literally every single step hurts and is a chore.”
He also experienced ankle swelling and a blackened toe as his body entered ‘survival mode.’
Throughout the challenge, Jack was determined not to lose muscle mass, so he maintained his usual diet with a focus on increased protein intake and took glucosamine supplements to alleviate joint pain. He also engaged in light weight training.
Interestingly, Jack noticed his weight fluctuated, with some days showing an increase, though the weight began to decrease by the penultimate day of the challenge.
By the end, Jack was surprised by his transformation, evident in his ‘before’ and ‘after’ photos.
He noted he did not expect such a noticeable change, stating he appeared ‘narrower’ and that he lost 2 pounds in total, with measurements showing almost 1cm reduction in his arms, 3.5cm from his waist, half a centimeter from his calves, and 2cm from his chest, while gaining half a centimeter in his thighs.
Addressing his 4.6 million subscribers, Jack reflected on the experience: “Well, do I recommend walking 250,000 steps in a week?
“Absolutely not. My joints just couldn’t keep up.”
Medical professionals concur that such an undertaking poses more risks than benefits for the average person.
Doctor Deepali Misra-Sharp informed The Mirror: “I would advise that the risks are likely to outweigh the potential benefits at such an extreme count unless someone has prepared for it, as you do for a marathon and done sensibly.”
Professor Lindsay Bottoms also commented that this level of activity could be too strenuous for those unaccustomed to it, potentially leading to ‘over-training symptoms’ and weakening the immune system, increasing susceptibility to illnesses like colds and flu.
Nevertheless, the YouTuber suggested a daily step count of 8,000 to 20,000, while the professor recommended gradually increasing steps each week in conjunction with muscle-strengthening exercises.
Jack concluded: “It doesn’t actually take as long as you think it would take. And I really do feel that most people will feel better if they end up walking more.”
The US Department of Health and Human Services suggests people allocate 150 minutes per week to moderate to intense physical activities, such as brisk walking.