Does walking count as exercise?!? Ideas to burn more calories!!

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  • Lizrobin3108
    Lizrobin3108 Posts: 102 Member
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    mis_linzi wrote: »
    Yes. I suppose its pretty hard work: And not to open a can of worms but I smoke so It can get pretty uncomfortable. I just find my self making excuses to not ever do it, and I feel like when I do exercise I look ridiculous. I shouldnt care eh.

    I like using exercise videos. My favorite are from Leslie Sansone. She has miles for different skill levels. Plus I find her general attitude funny and motivating. I don't like working out in front of people either. About 2 years ago, I lost nearly 40 pounds this way. I also smoked at the time.

    There are a few videos on YouTube if you want to try it out.

  • 999tigger
    999tigger Posts: 5,235 Member
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    No matter how unfit you feel you are, you can improve your fitness level by moving more. Any movement counts, start where you are and keep adding 5 minutes or 50m and you will build up. Walking is a great start, just try and be consistent.

    These are the physical activity guidelines you can aim for later, but for now walking would be great. More you do it the easier it will get so dont be put off.

    http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/fitness/Documents/adults-19-64-years.pdf

  • Of_Monsters_and_Meat
    Of_Monsters_and_Meat Posts: 1,022 Member
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    I think I can speak to some authority to this. Prancercise is a workout specifically developed for this issue. Watch below.

    https://youtu.be/o-50GjySwew

    OK op, you are 27 years old with no health conditions. Try running, lifting, sports or something, you can do better. I know you can.
  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 25,195 Member
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    mis_linzi wrote: »
    Exercise is my mortal enemy but i don't mind going for very long walks. Im talking like 2-3 hr long walks. What can I do to maximize this so I can count it as exercise.

    Of course it counts as exercise.

    I wouldn't count slowly making your way through the grocery store for 45 min as exercise, although even that burns a few more calories than sitting. But if you walk quite briskly for 2-3 hours, certainly that's exercise.

  • urloved33
    urloved33 Posts: 3,323 Member
    edited April 2015
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    Yes its exercise and if you want to maximise your walk ...Use ankle weights or wrist weights...and walk briskly. Have you ever tried rollar blading you might like it if you love walking.
  • ker95texas
    ker95texas Posts: 304 Member
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    maxpugsby wrote: »
    Yes it is a good way to exercise. I've lost 80lbs. by walking, dieting too of course.

    me too! I, too, am (still) a smoker but we don't smoke in the house, so.... if I smoke, I walk - sometimes just pacing on the back patio or circles in the garage/driveway apron, or fast walking my driveway multiple times (it's a long driveway). DH says my Native American name would be 'walks in circles'

    The Fitbit is my constant companion.
  • beemerphile1
    beemerphile1 Posts: 1,710 Member
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    Walking is excellent exercise. For maximum benefit walk faster and/or longer.
    Of_Monsters_and_Meat wrote: »
    I think I can speak to some authority to this. Prancercise is a workout specifically developed for this issue. Watch below.

    https://youtu.be/o-50GjySwew

    If I did that I am sure I would be mugged and beaten to a pulp! :p
  • Of_Monsters_and_Meat
    Of_Monsters_and_Meat Posts: 1,022 Member
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    beemerphile1 wrote: »
    If I did that I am sure I would be mugged and beaten to a pulp! :p

    ..as you should be. ::flowerforyou::

  • HelenWater
    HelenWater Posts: 232 Member
    edited April 2015
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    They say to walk like you have somewhere to go and so you could talk but not sing. I suppose you could also think of it as needing to get to the train station on time. Walking is always good, and it can be transport. If you have a few regular walks you could try completing them a little bit more quickly over time. There are plenty of apps to help track your progress. I like Runtastic, but there are lots of others out there too. The other thing you can do is add hills as walking up hills or stairs will get your heart rate up a bit more. If you're used to strolling, I would increase your pace slowly so you don't end up feeling sore.

    Also, calorie burn isn't the only benefit of walking. You are keeping mobile, so you are far better off than if you were sitting.
  • LivingtheLeanDream
    LivingtheLeanDream Posts: 13,342 Member
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    Of_Monsters_and_Meat wrote: »
    I think I can speak to some authority to this. Prancercise is a workout specifically developed for this issue. Watch below.

    https://youtu.be/o-50GjySwew

    ^^^ seriously like someone would really do that!
  • Of_Monsters_and_Meat
    Of_Monsters_and_Meat Posts: 1,022 Member
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    RunRutheeRun wrote: »
    ^^^ seriously like someone would really do that!

    Its better to bring your comments out of the quotes. To answer your question. YES!!! LOTS OF PEOPLE DO THIS. I was even with some people who did it at a spartan sprint.

    https://youtu.be/srh8mlfdpdg

    https://youtu.be/qwNWafXk-s4

    https://youtu.be/i-Je_EPDpwI

    https://youtu.be/KO-FMKiJAK8
  • gothchiq
    gothchiq Posts: 4,590 Member
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    Prancercise. WOW. Okay, just my theory, that woman is HIGH off her tookus.

    I'm gonna stick with weights and cardio. But yes, walking is exercise, by all means do it. If you're going to be prancing you probably want to take along a bodyguard or at least a can of mace. :P lol
  • Casey_Ash3
    Casey_Ash3 Posts: 2
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    maxpugsby wrote: »
    Yes it is a good way to exercise. I've lost 80lbs. by walking, dieting too of course.

    This is super encouraging to me! I am married to a wonderful man who I affectionately refer to as "Mr. Metabolism" who doesn't understand that walking really does make a difference!
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,268 Member
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    mis_linzi wrote: »
    Yes. I suppose its pretty hard work: And not to open a can of worms but I smoke so It can get pretty uncomfortable. I just find my self making excuses to not ever do it, and I feel like when I do exercise I look ridiculous. I shouldnt care eh.

    I just quit smoking in December 2014....if you looked at my exercise diary you would see lots of walking and weight lifting before I quit...you would be surprised at how efficient you can get with your breathing from just walking...now that I am vaping game on.

    and no you shouldn't care...get out there and do it...esp if you actually like what you are doing

  • belgerian
    belgerian Posts: 1,059 Member
    edited April 2015
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    Walking I believe and think I have read that it is the most popular exercise there is.

    http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/jun/05/best-foot-forward-why-walking-good-for-you

    And yes running does burn more calories than running minute by minute but many either physically cannot run nor can they run a longer distance for the increase in calorie burn. Easier for some one to walk 60 minutes vs run for 30.
  • wizzybeth
    wizzybeth Posts: 3,578 Member
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    Have you guys seen the Prancecise video where she's out in a field with horses and some dude who escaped from a bad 1982 workout video? If i recall hes wearing zebra print spandex Lol
  • wizzybeth
    wizzybeth Posts: 3,578 Member
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    "Now that Prancercise is in fashion, why not explore your passion?"

    https://youtu.be/cIXIZ_8aGM8?t=15s



  • Of_Monsters_and_Meat
    Of_Monsters_and_Meat Posts: 1,022 Member
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    wizzybeth wrote: »
    "Now that Prancercise is in fashion, why not explore your passion?"

    I know you don't NEED the tiger striped pants, but I WANTS THEM!
  • spartan_d
    spartan_d Posts: 727 Member
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    It's not great exercise. It's good and certainly worth doing, but be wary whenever someone says that it's "great exercise." As others have said, it will certainly help burn some calories, but it won't provide a lot of cardiovascular benefit.

    Don't get me wrong. I would never discourage you from adding some walking to your program. It can be helpful for crosstraining or for days when your legs are too sore from previous workouts. And of course, it can be enjoyable in other respects. Just don't expect it to work wonders.

    Personally, I advise people to think of walking, dancing, housework, etc as "activity" and to think of more vigorous work as "exercise." Obviously, there is a blurry line between the two. However, thinking in that manner has helped me focus on pushing myself more while maintaining an otherwise active lifestyle.
  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 Member
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    urloved33 wrote: »
    Yes its exercise and if you want to maximise your walk ...Use ankle weights or wrist weights...and walk briskly. Have you ever tried rollar blading you might like it if you love walking.

    Ugh - No! Ankle and wrist weight are a terrible idea. If you really want a weighted walking workout look into a weighted vest. The weight should be evenly distributed as not to put strain on the joints.

    Walking can be cardiovascular exercise. You need to push the pace to bring your heart rate up.....that's exercise.

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