Tanya Dutt

This 28-Year-Old YouTuber Walked 17 Miles A Day For A Week And Here’s What Happened

Walking is the most accessible and beneficial form of exercise, or so everyone claims. What happens when you take it to an extreme? British YouTuber Jack Massey Welsh wanted to know. So he set himself the task of <span>walking 35</span>,000 steps a day—that is, 17 miles—over the course of a week. The results were a fascinating mix of physical transformation, unexpected challenges, and valuable lessons about the human body's limits.

For Welsh, this was an ambitious challenge not only physically but mentally. Before he started, he weighed himself, took measurements, and prepared by adding 150 grams of protein to his diet to preserve muscle mass. To safeguard his joints, he began taking glucosamine supplements.

His plan was simple, break the daily goal into two two-hour walks, which would amount to 35,000 steps per day. The first day seemed manageable, but the effects of this extreme activity quickly set in.

<h2>Day-by-Day Breakdown: From Muscle Burn to Joint Pain</h2> 

The first day brought a mix of excitement and fatigue. Welsh remarked on the simplicity of “one step in front of the other.” However, by Day 2, he began to feel the physical toll. Aching muscles and sheer exhaustion made every step increasingly difficult.

<h4>Days 3–4: Adapting Muscles, New Challenges</h4>

By the third day, Welsh could see his muscles were adapting to the demand. However, joint pain had emerged as a new obstacle, accompanied by painful blisters on his feet. Walking became a test of endurance, with each step a reminder of his body's limits.

<h4>Days 5–7: The Final Stretch and Aftermath</h4>

As the week went by, the pressure was on. Sore ankles and black toenails, which indicate extreme foot injury, made it hard for Welsh to walk without taking pain medication. He was still able to complete the challenge with a feeling of great achievement.

<h4>What's Changed After 250,000 Steps?</h4>

At the end of the week, Welsh retook his measurements and was shocked at the changes. He had lost 2 pounds and noted that his body measurements were smaller all around, except for his thighs, which grew half a centimeter. This showed that walking is a great change agent even after a week.

However, the damage was done by the physical process. Days since the completion of the challenge found Welsh's ankles swollen, bringing home the potentially dire consequences to extreme exercise in the human form.

Welsh's adventure shows the risks and rewards of walking. Being on the extreme end is fun, but never overdo anything beyond what your body can stand. As for Welsh, more reasonable steps most people can reasonably achieve would range between 8,000 to 20,000 depending on their <span>fitness</span>. 

The average steps that people walk is merely between 3,000 and 4,000 per day, a range of activity level described as sedentary. Although the 10,000 steps per day has become a highly popular goal without scientific basis, research shows more realistic and personalized targets depending on age. A review by Lancet showed that walking around 7,000 steps per day can increase life expectancy significantly for older adults. Younger adults benefit from walking only up to around 9,000 steps per day, indicating that exceeding this number does not offer any further benefits. These results highlight how the necessity is to set specific, reachable goals, rather than focusing on achieving some number.

It must not be about reaching a specific number, but about making movement a constant part of your day.

<h2>Why Walking is Considered Healthy?</h2>

Walking is not a cardio exercise only, but also maintains the muscles and health of the joints. More importantly, it helps the mind. A study at JAMA Internal Medicine reported walking as briskly as possible for 10 minutes each day will decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke but in addition add years to life.

From lessening the symptoms of anxiety and depression to increasing energy and concentration, walking is an all-rounded exercise with low risks and high rewards.

<h2>How to Increase Your Daily Step Count Easily</h2>

Adding more steps into your daily life does not have to be a big life change. Here's how:

<ul><li>Take the stairs whenever possible. </li><li>Park on the far end of parking lots.</li><li>Hold meetings while walking</li><li>Track your progress to motivate and set achievable targets</li><li>Take regular 10 minute breaks at work to stretch and walk</li><li>Tread around on the phone as well</li><li>Go for a long walk after dinner to relax.</li></ul>

Jack Massey Welsh’s journey is a compelling reminder of walking’s transformative potential—and its risks when taken to extremes. While 35,000 steps daily is not practical for most people, setting moderate goals can yield significant health benefits.

<em><a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2788473" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank" rel= "noopener nofollow noreferrer" target= "_blank">Estimated Number of Deaths Prevented Through Increased Physical Activity Among US Adults</a>. JAMA Intern Med. 2022</em>

<a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpub/article/PIIS2468-2667(21)00302-9/fulltext#seccestitle140" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow noreferrer" rel= "noopener nofollow noreferrer" target= "_blank">Daily steps and all-cause mortality: a meta-analysis of 15 international cohorts. </a>The Lancet Public Health. 2022

Health Conditions A-Z

health

fitness

walking 17 miles a day

walking 35

000 steps benefits

health benefits of walking

step count for weight loss

jack massey welsh walking challenge

improve daily step count

walking for joint health

Rising Teen Mental Health Crisis in US Expected to Strain Economy

New US Cancer Report Shows Fall in Overall Cancer Mortality But Rise In Female Cancer Patients

Shilajit Is Nature’s Answer To Viagra- But How Does This Ayurvedic Herb Work?

Fitness

10 Light Foods You Can Eat Before Exercises

10 Ways To Beat The Sleep Spell In Office

10 Tips To Help Muscle Recovery

6-6-6 Walking Routine Can Help You Stay Fit

10 Breathing Exercises To Try When You’re Feeling Anxious

10 Ways To Beat Morning Fatigue

10 Type Of Squats You Can Do For Weight Loss

Soaked vs. Roasted Chickpeas: Which One is Healthier?

10 Ways For Busy People To Stay Active

10 High-Calorie Foods to Watch Out For At Gatherings

10 Brain Exercises to Improve Your Focus and Memory

Creative Ways to Complete Your 10,000 Steps Indoors

10 Best Carb Choices for Managing Type 2 Diabetes

10 White Foods to Avoid for Better Weight Loss Results

10 Delicious Mediterranean Diet Dinners: Low-Carb and High-Protein Options

Healthy and Protein-Packed Late-Night Snacks to Satisfy Your Cravings

10 Negative Habits That Drain Your Mind’s Power

10 Brain-Boosting Activities to Sharpen Your Mind

10 Protein-Rich Breakfast Dishes To Try

10 Signs Your Heart Is Healthy

10 Foods To Improve Your Brain Health

10 Foods That Boost Your Metabolism

10 Exercise To Improve Grip Strength

10 Staple Foods To Make Eating Healthy Easier

10 Foods You Should Eat If You Are Weight-Training

10 Basics Rules Of Weight Training

10 Ways To Deal With Winter Dry Skin

Workout Week: 10 Back Exercises To Do At Gym

10 Healthy Chicken Recipes For Winter

10 Morning Habits That Can Make You Sick

10 Superfood To Help You Build Immunity

10 Cardio Exercises To Lose Belly Fat

10 Benefits Of Morning Runs

10 Intermittent Fasting Mistakes People Make

10 Toxic Morning Habits To Quit

10 Natural Ways To You Deal With Winter Dryness

10 Reasons Why Pickles Are Good For Winters

10 Healthy Custard Apple Recipes

10 Fun Activities To Build Your Kid’s Strength

10 Benefits Of Fenugreek Leaves

Walking is the most accessible and beneficial form of exercise, or so everyone claims. What happens when you take it to an extreme? British YouTuber Jack Massey Welsh wanted to know. So he set himself the task of walking 35,000 steps a day—that is, 17 miles—over the course of a week. The results were a fascinating mix of physical transformation, unexpected challenges, and valuable lessons about the human body's limits.For Welsh, this was an ambitious challenge not only physically but mentally. Before he started, he weighed himself, took measurements, and prepared by adding 150 grams of protein to his diet to preserve muscle mass. To safeguard his joints, he began taking glucosamine supplements.His plan was simple, break the daily goal into two two-hour walks, which would amount to 35,000 steps per day. The first day seemed manageable, but the effects of this extreme activity quickly set in. Day-by-Day Breakdown: From Muscle Burn to Joint Pain Days 1–2: A Painful StartThe first day brought a mix of excitement and fatigue. Welsh remarked on the simplicity of “one step in front of the other.” However, by Day 2, he began to feel the physical toll. Aching muscles and sheer exhaustion made every step increasingly difficult. Days 3–4: Adapting Muscles, New ChallengesBy the third day, Welsh could see his muscles were adapting to the demand. However, joint pain had emerged as a new obstacle, accompanied by painful blisters on his feet. Walking became a test of endurance, with each step a reminder of his body's limits. Days 5–7: The Final Stretch and AftermathAs the week went by, the pressure was on. Sore ankles and black toenails, which indicate extreme foot injury, made it hard for Welsh to walk without taking pain medication. He was still able to complete the challenge with a feeling of great achievement.What's Changed After 250,000 Steps?At the end of the week, Welsh retook his measurements and was shocked at the changes. He had lost 2 pounds and noted that his body measurements were smaller all around, except for his thighs, which grew half a centimeter. This showed that walking is a great change agent even after a week.However, the damage was done by the physical process. Days since the completion of the challenge found Welsh's ankles swollen, bringing home the potentially dire consequences to extreme exercise in the human form.Welsh's adventure shows the risks and rewards of walking. Being on the extreme end is fun, but never overdo anything beyond what your body can stand. As for Welsh, more reasonable steps most people can reasonably achieve would range between 8,000 to 20,000 depending on their fitness. The average steps that people walk is merely between 3,000 and 4,000 per day, a range of activity level described as sedentary. Although the 10,000 steps per day has become a highly popular goal without scientific basis, research shows more realistic and personalized targets depending on age. A review by Lancet showed that walking around 7,000 steps per day can increase life expectancy significantly for older adults. Younger adults benefit from walking only up to around 9,000 steps per day, indicating that exceeding this number does not offer any further benefits. These results highlight how the necessity is to set specific, reachable goals, rather than focusing on achieving some number.It must not be about reaching a specific number, but about making movement a constant part of your day. Why Walking is Considered Healthy?Walking is not a cardio exercise only, but also maintains the muscles and health of the joints. More importantly, it helps the mind. A study at JAMA Internal Medicine reported walking as briskly as possible for 10 minutes each day will decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke but in addition add years to life.From lessening the symptoms of anxiety and depression to increasing energy and concentration, walking is an all-rounded exercise with low risks and high rewards. How to Increase Your Daily Step Count EasilyAdding more steps into your daily life does not have to be a big life change. Here's how:Take the stairs whenever possible. Park on the far end of parking lots.Hold meetings while walkingTrack your progress to motivate and set achievable targetsTake regular 10 minute breaks at work to stretch and walkTread around on the phone as wellGo for a long walk after dinner to relax.Jack Massey Welsh’s journey is a compelling reminder of walking’s transformative potential—and its risks when taken to extremes. While 35,000 steps daily is not practical for most people, setting moderate goals can yield significant health benefits.Estimated Number of Deaths Prevented Through Increased Physical Activity Among US Adults. JAMA Intern Med. 2022Daily steps and all-cause mortality: a meta-analysis of 15 international cohorts. The Lancet Public Health. 2022