“It was a bummer and we felt hemmed in,” says Lind. “My mom used to tell me and my sister to go for a walk outside. So we did and, little by little, I began to feel better”.
Over the course of the pandemic, Lind developed what would become one of TikTok’s biggest fitness fads yet: the Hot Girl Walk. Her video describing Hot Girl Walk has garnered over 750,000 views, and the hashtag #hotgirlwalk has millions of views and one billion views on Google.
This is how it works: Walk. Every day. Ideally, about four miles. And while you walk, you can only think about the following: Your goals. What you are thankful for. And how hot you are.
For the last part, Lind builds on the Hot Girl Summer trend she brought us in July 2019. Megan Thee Stallion, a rapper who eventually released a song of the same name. The genius behind Hot Girl Summer is that it’s not about physical appearance; heat is a state of mind, after all.
But unlike many fitness trends, the key principles behind the Hot Girl Walk—walk and be mindful—are backed by research.
Among other benefitsRegular walking has been linked to a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, better memory and cognition, lower stress, better mood, and a lower risk of premature death.
“The best attribute of walking is its simplicity,” says David Sabgir, cardiologist and founder of walk with a doca community of physician-led walking groups.
Sabgir says that the four miles of Lind can be a challenge for many people. “Fortunately, we get benefits from even short walks, and those benefits only increase as our step count increases,” says Sabgir. “150 minutes a week or more is a wonderful goal.”
practicing gratitudemeanwhile, it has been linked to greater general well-being: it is associated with greater patience, greater happiness, and stronger relationships.
“While there have been no double-blind, placebo-controlled studies of Hot Girl Walk, there are plausible mechanisms for how it may increase self-reported subjective warmth and well-being,” says Glenn Fox, a neuroscientist at the USC Marshall School of Medicine. He company that specializes in the neural correlates of gratitude, empathy, and neuroplasticity. “Those who undertake Hot Girl Walks can benefit from the virtuous cycle of gratitude, beginning by exercising both mind and personal will, reducing distraction, and focusing on abundance and personal strengths. The benefits of Hot Girl Walk can theoretically be unlimited.”
Readers may be wondering: Is the Hot Girl Walk just for…hot…girls? First, remember that sexy is a mindset, and second, if “girl” doesn’t describe you, feel free to cross it out and write your preferred descriptor. That’s what Rob Kirkpatrick did when his daughter, Ceara Kirkpatrick, a wellness and photography influencer on TikTok and Instagram, launched a challenge he called Walk Girl Summer.
“I made a calendar that my followers could use to track their progress,” says Ceara. “My dad printed it out, crossed out ‘Girl’ and wrote ‘Dad’ on top.” Thus Walk Dad Summer was born.
Ready to kick off your own season of Walk Girl? Here are some tips for mastering the Hot Girl Walk.
Remember, the purpose is not to become an ideal body type or appearance, or to achieve an impossible physical goal. “The goal of Hot Girl Walk is to channel something that’s already inside of you to increase your physical and mental well-being,” says Lind.
Do what you can. Ceara Kirkpatrick opts for a 45-minute walk instead of Lind’s four miles. “If you don’t feel it, just go for five minutes,” she says. “Every little bit counts.”
Go outside. While you can do the Hot Girl Walk on a treadmill, it really should be done outdoors, preferably in nature. “Walking outside allows me to focus on the present moment,” says Kirkpatrick.
Make it a no judgment zone. “Instead of being critical, try being curious,” says Lind. “Notice when thoughts become self-critical and gently lead them back to the things you are grateful for.”
Go with friends. If quiet contemplation isn’t for you, ask a friend to join you, or call someone as you walk. And look for Hot Girl Walking Groups in your area: Ceara Kirkpatrick’s girls walking facebook group is a great place to start.
Don’t forget security. If possible, try to walk during the day in an area with sidewalks. If you’re listening to music, skip noise canceling headphones. Always be aware of your surroundings. “If your instincts tell you something is wrong, turn around,” says Rob Kirkpatrick. Wisdom from dad for victory.
Copyright 2022, Consumer Reports Inc.
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