You're trying to lose weight, you're getting your steps in every day, and nothing is happening on the scale. Sound familiar? There's a simple reason why just hitting your daily step goal might not be helping.

Steps aren't the whole story

Ten thousand slow, casual steps spread through the day around the house and the office are good for you, but they're not the same as a dedicated, brisk walk. If your heart rate never really goes up, your body isn't working as hard as you think.

Walk with purpose

When I started Health Happenings, my one hour walk every day was the foundation of everything. Those weren't strolls. A brisk pace where your breathing picks up, your heart rate climbs and you can still hold a conversation is the zone I aim for. A fitness tracker or smartwatch makes it easy to see where your heart rate is during a walk.

Tips to get more out of your walks

• Pick up the pace until you're breathing a little harder.
• Add hills or an incline on the treadmill.
• Make it a dedicated walk, not just steps you happen to collect.
• Gradually build up the time, from 10 minutes to an hour.
• Pair it with whole foods. You can't out-walk a bad diet.

I'm no doctor, so if you have a heart condition or other health concerns, check with yours about what's right for you. Watch the video for the full explanation.

Joe is not a doctor or a dietitian. This is his personal journey. Talk to your healthcare provider before making big changes to your diet or exercise.