A YouTuber who attempted a crazy fitness challenge to walk 250,000 steps in just seven days revealed what it did to his body, admitting it was 'more intense' than he expected.
Jack Massey Welsh - known as JackSucksAtLife online - revealed in a video from 2024 that his aim was to complete an average of 35,700 steps a day, much more than the recommended 10,000 steps.
Keeping viewers updated on how he was getting on, the content creator said the early morning walks felt manageable at first, but it didn't take long for reality to set in.
By the end of day one, discomfort was already creeping in and sustaining this pace was far rougher than he thought.
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"This got more intense than I expected it to," the influencer admitted at the time.
As the days rolled on, Jack said his legs were adapting well, but his feet and joints were saying something else.
He was forced to adjust his strategy—longer morning walks, fewer stops, more stretching, and even switching to Crocs when walking boots became unbearable.
Sleep dropped to around six hours a night, and surprisingly, his appetite weakened instead of increasing. Despite this, his mindset grew stronger, and so did his attempt to make walking become his new norm.
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By the end of it, he looked visibly slimmer in his before-and-after pics and had lost around two pounds of weight overall.
“So strangely, there is actually a visual difference. I seem to be narrower than when I first started, which I didn't really expect,” he said.
“I honestly can't work out if the before or after looks better.
“My joints just couldn't keep up, it's two days later, and I'm still waiting for the swelling around my ankles to reduce.”
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Jack reflected: “Once you're in the routine, it doesn't actually take as long as you would think it would take.
“I really do feel that most people will feel better if they end up walking more.”
Over in the comments, one viewer said: "Well done, Jack. I’m so impressed. I struggle to do 8,000 steps per day but after watching you I think I will push myself to do more. Thanks for the inspiration."
Another added: "He doesn't realise it, but what he achieved is very positive. His body weight decreased by two pounds while adding size in his legs and calves... that's body recomposition."
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According to Nuffield Health: "Research suggests that walking 9,800 steps a day is the 'optimal dose' for lowering the risk of dementia by 50 percent. Getting your 10,000 steps done outside can help relieve symptoms of anxiety and depression."
It also reduces knee and joint pain in individuals with arthritis.
Anish Vij