The Surprising A-list Secret to TRIM AND TONED
British royals and red carpet beauties are buzzing about the benefits of walking with trekking poles. But can the poles really rev fat loss? Wellness columnist Jorge Cruise weighs in
They have access to the most exclusive fitness centers around the globe, so we were surprised to hear that more A-listers — including Suzanne Somers and Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York — are skipping the gym and instead relying on a simple, inexpensive strategy to stay in shape after menopause: walking with trekking poles.
Also called Nordic walking poles, the sticks originated in Finland in 1979 as a way for crosscountry skiers to train in the off-season. What makes them so effective? Pushing the poles forward works the shoulders and upper arms, and pulling the poles in tones the back. Fans also say holding the poles upright through the motion engages the body’s core to sculpt abs, so a stroll can deliver the same firming benefits as a circuit-training machine. Indeed, researchers in Poland found that women who walked with the poles increased their upperarm strength and muscle tone by 16 percent over four weeks — while women in the study who walked without the poles actually experienced a decrease in muscle tone.
Another plus: Activating muscles throughout the body during a walk fires up metabolism. According to research at The Cooper Institute in Dallas, Nordic walking burns 46 percent more calories than walking without poles.
Although trekking poles deliver a full-body workout, Italian studies show that women
“I did not go to a spa. I did not go to a gym. I walked in the mountains.” Sarah Ferguson, 58
who walk with them don’t feel like they are working any harder. Experts say this is because the poles encourage proper posture, which helps walkers sidestep knee, hip and lower-back pain. Swinging the poles also loosens tight muscles in the back and shoulders to reduce tension headaches and shoulder pain. And the effects are so powerful that 100 percent of women in one German study reported their chronic pain eased significantly after walking regularly with trekking poles for six months — and 30 percent of subjects noted that their chronic pain symptoms completely ceased.
Despite the benefits, some women are reluctant to try trekking poles because it looks “too silly,” but fans say the exercise is so fun that they don’t even mind if they look a little odd. If you decide trekking poles are for you, shop for adjustable ones that extend to at least 45 inches (like the Montem Ultra Strong Trekking Poles).
“I love fresh seafood — high in protein and few calories. Tilapia, Sydney rock oysters, tiger prawns, lobster…” —Nicole Kidman, 50