‘I tried taking a ‘hot girl walk’ and I’m never looking back’

With millions of views on TikTok, this is one fitness fad we can – surprisingly – get behind. We road test the trend.

While we can blame TikTok for some pretty questionable health and fitness trends (#75hard, lettuce water, lube as face primer...), there are some incredibly sensible and effective trends on the social media platform we can wholeheartedly get behind – and the latest shining example of that is the Hot Girl Walk.

Popularised by American college student Mia Lind, who goes by the handle @exactlyliketheothergirls, the concept is simple and moderate – like many of the best things when it comes to your health – but the results are remarkable.

@exactlyliketheothergirls

TW: weight loss | comment other benefits of walking below! #hotgirlwalk#fitness#lifestyle

♬ original sound - Mia

While not touted as a means to lose weight (although walking definitely can be), many Hot Girl Walk-ers have shared their transformations online – including Lind herself. Which might be why the hashtag #hotgirlwalk has been viewed over 154.5 million times on TikTok, and shows no signs of waning in popularity.

So exactly what is a Hot Girl Walk?

The Hot Girl Walk is a four mile (or 6.4 kilometre) mindfulness walk, which is to be done outdoors, every day.

And there are only three things that you’re allowed to think about (hence the mindfulness aspect) during a Hot Girl Walk, and they are:

1. Things that you’re grateful for

Step one is writing down what you are grateful for. Picture: iStock

2. How hot you are

@exactlyliketheothergirls

Reply to @666mjcksn666 follow to stay on non-toxic tik tok! There are a lot of new friends so this needed a redo #hotgirlwalk#fitness

♬ original sound - Mia

3. Your goals

@katecote_

A white van conveniently passed by right after this 🤍 #hotgirlwalk#katethoughts

♬ original sound - Kaitlyn Cote

We all know that walking can be a great low-impact mode of exercising for our physical and mental health, but I asked Lisa Gadd, an osteopath who’s worked extensively with elite athletes, why this form of exercise might be enjoying the widespread popularity that it is.

She said “Daily walking has many overall benefits to our health, both physically and mentally. From a physical health benefit, getting out in fresh air into our lungs and walking 30-45 minutes a day helps with our cardiovascular health – keeping our heart healthy helps to lower blood pressure, it also helps boost our mood and our immune system.

“Daily walking also helps with weight management and keeps our bones strong, preventing risk of fractures as we age. It can also help to prevent chronic diseases such as cancers, diabetes, stroke and dementia.”

A walk a day can prevent serious illness. Picture: iStock

While this is all good to know, and makes perfect sense, I actually think the thing that makes the Hot Girl Walk so addictive (in a good way) is the mental aspect – as it creates positive habits that are more likely to result in long-term commitment to the practise – and we all know that consistency is essential to see any form of results.

The Hot Girl Walk’s key requirements play into some core tenants of mental wellbeing that many an expert or guru have espoused before; gratefulness (thinking about things you’re grateful for), affirmations (thinking about how hot you are) and manifesting (thinking about your goals). Hugh Van Cuylenburg from The Resilience Project would be proud.

Gadd agrees – but adds that the mere act of movement can also improve your mental health.

Walking is also good for your mental health. Picture: iStock

She said that “It helps to clear a busy mind, especially if we practice being present whilst walking or practising the art of gratitude while moving our body. Walking helps boost our mood by the release of serotonin, the feel good hormone released when we exercise. It also helps result in better quality sleep, which improves mood, assists in weight loss and improves concentration, helping you get through your day happier and healthier.”

Sounds like a pretty well-rounded approach to me. Now excuse me, I must go. The sun is shining and I’ve got to get in today’s Hot Girl Walk. I know I feel better for it.

Lisa Gadd is a Melbourne-based osteopath that works closely with elite AFL teams and Ironman athletes. She is also the founder of the Living Health Group, a business leader and a key note speaker.

This story originally appeared in Body + Soul and has been reproduced with permission.