WELLBEING

Hot girl walk: The exercise craze empowering women

26 January, 2022 . 0

It’s the TikTok trend more than 60 million people are talking about and here are some of the reasons you should try it.

Many of us have relentlessly pounded the pavement during the pandemic.

But when a TikToker named Mia began posting about the #hotgirlwalk last year, the social-media platform lit up, with the hashtag now notching up more than 60 million views.

So, how does this walk differ from your usual stroll – and why should you care?

What is a hot girl walk?

According to Mia, a hot girl walk involves walking four miles (6.4km) and focusing within – rather than on losing weight.

The idea is to inspire self confidence, health and positivity, and women of all ages, shapes, sizes and fitness levels are encouraged to give it a try.

If you want to be a hot girl walker, you must only think about three things:

What you’re grateful for.
Your goals.
And, of course, how hot you are (you know it!).

Side note: Music is encouraged but podcasts are not, as the idea is to give yourself thinking space.

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Why go on a hot girl walk?

Well, for starters, science.

Countless studies, including a study published in The Lancet Psychiatry, show that regular exercise has a huge positive impact on mental health.

Gianna Lucas, an educator and life coach, says many people are struggling after the disruptions caused by the pandemic.

“Sometimes when your mental health isn’t at an all-time high, even getting off the couch can be too much on a tough day,” she says.

Gianna believes anything that encourages people to get out there – and has a positive flow-on effect as people share their own #hotgirlwalk videos – is positive.

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How a hot girl walk can be empowering

Practising gratitude, along with finding inner confidence and recognising your own uniqueness, can be your own “superpower”, Gianna says.

“You can do that on a walk by setting those positive intentions as you’re out there and dreaming and manifesting these great things for yourself and recognising how amazing you are.”

Another idea is to write down something you’re grateful for each day – either in a journal or on a note you pop into a biscuit jar.

Gianna says dipping into these notes at the end of the year, or on a tough day, can be powerful.

“It helps to create that sense of perspective, knowing that even through your tough seasons you will get through this, because you have many times before.”

Why a hot girl walk is the best start to the day

Tracy Taylor, who made a leap of faith to start her own activewear brand, CBF Clothing, just before Covid hit, says she gets much of her inspiration on her regular walks or runs.

“I usually do it first thing in the morning, before my body’s realised what I’m doing.

“I do find it’s a really good way to start the day, because it feels like you’ve already achieved something if you’ve got out of bed and gone and done a walk,” she says.

“If I’ve got a lot going on, it’s a great way of clearing the mind and just really working through any sort of issues or problems.”

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Why hotness is a mindset

Tracy’s business encourages body positivity, and while she might not usually describe herself as “hot”, she likes the idea of cultivating that mindset while on a walk.

“I think that’s probably quite empowering if you can embrace the term,” she says.

“I think it has to be a mindset and an attitude.

“Anyone can identify as a hot girl, but I think there has to be a lot of that self-love and confidence there.”

Yes, you are a hot girl

Gianna says traditionally, the idea of being a “hot girl” – perfect physique and all – has been intimidating, or just downright unrealistic, for most people.

“What’s great about this trend is it’s reimagining what ‘hot’ looks like.

“It’s magnifying the importance of inner confidence and how it manifests on the outside, rather than the physical appearance of somebody, because ‘healthy’ looks different on each person.”