What are your thoughts on walking?

bcruz313

christinev297 wrote: »

I used to go to the gym, and I had to force myself to go each and every time, I hated it!

Exactly. That is how I am feeling. I dont want to go to the gym and then burn out or lose momentum the minute life gets in the way. With 3 kids it happens. This is sustainable.

Peloton73

Do you know what I love about walking? You can put on your shoes, open the door, and go. Tonight was a lovely night for a 40 minute walk. Enjoy yours!

_QueenE_

I think it's great!

MeanderingMammal

nikkib0103 wrote: »

otey743 wrote: »

Walking is great I would throw in some fasting cardio any time you can . Walking on an empty stomach can burn up to 20% more fat . Keep up the hard work .

Really? I walk on an empty stomach 99% of the time. Good to know. Does this hold true for all exercise?

It's bollocks tbh. Difference between fasted and non fasted CV work is negligible, particularly at low intensities as in walking.

Spike_G

AllanMisner wrote: »

Walking is a big part of my program.

Likewise.

Unfortunately I do have a knee problem thanks to a dog attack in my 20's and find it difficult to run so walking it is for me.
2-3 mile walk every lunchtime as well as ~8 miles during work I tend to average around the ten miles a day mark.
It has really helped my fitness level and been a great way to increase my cardio from zero.

markiend

I walk loads , makes me feel better in myself as well as helping with physical health too

definitely good for you , but don't be afraid of resistance training. That is very good for you too

dutchandkiwi

Walking it the main excersise I do, not the only thing, but the main thing. I am walking to work at least 3 times a week which is a 9km roundtrip, plus I walk wherever and whenever I can. Has it helped weightloss? Indirectly. Mainly because it shaved off 6 hours off my time sitting around being bored and that was time that I was busy, but not with food and snacking. The latter saved the calories and resulted in weightloss.

As said I walk to work and everywhere, I totally prefer to be outside when walking. The fresh air and seeing nature change over the season are a source of happiness and inspiration to me. As I have been doing it for a while now there are a number of people that live along my route to work that have become friendly to me, which is so nice. All dogs know me and a number of them come up for a cuddle (I love dogs). In general I'd say it has me made me more aware of where I live, the people that live there and has given me a sense of communitity as well. That in itself has become another inspiration.

47Jacqueline

Walking will keep you physically active and is a great habit to get into as opposed to sitting on a couch all day long. The American College of Sports Medicine recommends 150 minutes a week of brisk walking to attain a level of physical activity that will help you become healthy.

There are great gains to have from becoming physically active and getting out of a sedentary lifestyle. Don't confuse a habit of walking with being physically fit, however.

Christine_72

I'm curious if walking does contribute to weight loss. ...
On my good days I can burn 1000 calories. This takes me all damn day tho. I have to do close to 25,000 steps, which is around 17kms.. 12ish miles

vicky1947mfp

I am addicted to walking. I try for 10,000 steps per day. I am 68 and walk almost so fast I want to jog. But can't really do that but just a minute at the time.

I do maybe a spin class a week but mostly just walk. You can do that anywhere and anytime.

physioprof

I built a treadmill desk for myself to avoid long-term sitting. Walking shouldn't be confused with cardiovascular exercise for most people since it is so low-intensity that it doesn't require any cardiovascular adaptations (there are populations for whom walking IS exercise, though). Walking in place of sitting has important metabolic effects like maintenance of normal insulin sensitivity.

Hemlon

flippy1234 wrote: »

Love, love, love walking. Walk at a fast pace at least 30 minutes. Do this often and your legs will tone up and you will feel energized. Throw in a 5k of walking (roughly 3.6miles) now and then. Again, fast pace about 12 to 15 minutes per mile. Will get you toned and add to your calorie deficit.

5k= 3.1 miles

FitPhillygirl

I love walking long distance at a 13-14 MPH pace. I usually walk 3 to 5 miles on my weightlifting days and 8 miles on my days off from weightlifting and doing HIIT exercises.

snowflakesav

I can't think of any downside to walking.

mwyvr

christinev297 wrote: »

I'm curious if walking does contribute to weight loss. ...
On my good days I can burn 1000 calories. This takes me all damn day tho. I have to do close to 25,000 steps, which is around 17kms.. 12ish miles

About an hour of running (~ 10km depending on what I'm up to pace wise) burns ~1,000 calories.

ChiefMichael wrote: »

Walking is among the least injurious movements, as is cycling and swimming.

I've no complaint with this but we shouldn't be encouraging the view that running will injure everyone because that simply isn't true.

Sophiasmomma

i think anything you can stick to is what is right for you. I see alot of judgement here and honestly what works for one person does not work for another.
I have only been at this consistantly since the last week in febuary and I use alot of dvds for working out. Many times its Leslie sansone walking dvds. I love them and its better than me sitting watching tv. I usually wear my heart rate monitor and eat back half my calories from doing my exercise.
good for you walking!!! stick to it!!!!

whmscll

christinev297 wrote: »

I'm curious if walking does contribute to weight loss. ...
On my good days I can burn 1000 calories. This takes me all damn day tho. I have to do close to 25,000 steps, which is around 17kms.. 12ish miles

Try adding hills! Or even hiking, if there's a place near you to do this. Going uphill on uneven terrain will up your calorie burn significantly. Be careful how steep your downhill is if you have knee issues, though.

whmscll

And it definitely does contribute to weight loss! Only if you don't eat back all your calories, though.

Peloton73

Eileen_S wrote: »

I love walking long distance at a 13-14 MPH pace.

Is that a typo?

MapDancer

In my rural area with narrow roads the treadmill is the safer option and it is always accessible. I have lost 45 lbs (3 more lbs to goal) by using MFP and getting on the treadmill daily. I keep in the 3mph range - hate the thought of running. I use to go for 45 minutes, but now it's 60-90 minutes because I'm totally hooked on Korean dramas (hulu and dramafever). I mix it up with weekly folkdancing and intense house cleaning on Sat.

bcruz313

Thanks everyone for all the positive feedback.

I will say, I went a little above and beyond today. I still only walked, but usually the highest pace I go to is 3.3 - 3.5 and today I went all the way up to 3.7 which brought my heart rate in to its peak zone for a major part of my time on the treadmill. I will continue to do other workouts to become fit but I like walking to help get my 10k steps per day.

bcruz313

MapDancer wrote: »

In my rural area with narrow roads the treadmill is the safer option and it is always accessible. I have lost 45 lbs (3 more lbs to goal) by using MFP and getting on the treadmill daily. I keep in the 3mph range - hate the thought of running. I use to go for 45 minutes, but now it's 60-90 minutes because I'm totally hooked on Korean dramas (hulu and dramafever). I mix it up with weekly folkdancing and intense house cleaning on Sat.

That is awesome you are so close to your goal! I usually watch Netflix while on the treadmill as well. I love walking outside also but I usually workout while my daughter is still sleeping in the morning or later at night after it is dark out so treadmill is better for me at those times.

ninerbuff

snowflakesav wrote: »

I can't think of any downside to walking.

Living in New York city and having to cross.
Other than that, walking is an exercise that people can do for life.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

MeanderingMammal

mwyvr wrote: »

christinev297 wrote: »

I'm curious if walking does contribute to weight loss. ...
On my good days I can burn 1000 calories. This takes me all damn day tho. I have to do close to 25,000 steps, which is around 17kms.. 12ish miles

About an hour of running (~ 10km depending on what I'm up to pace wise) burns ~1,000 calories.

The MET for walking suggests about half the consultion of running. Assuming that's talking about all day step tracking using a Fitbit or similar, rather than purposful walking activity, that's about right.

MeanderingMammal

Peloton73 wrote: »

Eileen_S wrote: »

I love walking long distance at a 13-14 MPH pace.

Is that a typo?

Has to be, that would be a world record half marathon pace.

taentea

snowflakesav wrote: »

I can't think of any downside to walking.

It takes time and it's seasonal in some places of the world. I still greatly enjoy it when I can.

89Madeline

It will burn less calories per hour than running, so it will create less of deficit allowing you to not eat that much extra calories/lose weight. Try walking with an HRM for an hour, and next time do walking with jogging intervals with an HRM and see the difference Might be a motivator to put in a little extra effort and see that you'll burn more calories = bigger deficit (if you don't eat them back) = weight loss. Or, it allows you to eat a bit more without gaining.

susiemeri

I walk every day, weather permitting. I aim for three miles on work mornings, and 4-5 on the weekends. It's fun, easy, and takes me to all sorts of fun places that I wouldn't pay attention to in the car. Modifying my diet is the main reason I'm losing weight, but walking is definitely a big help!

Kitcandoo

Do you find that people try to make things more complicated than they really are? Life is complicated at times. Staying fit and healthy....this should not be. Walking is one of the most basic, effective movements we can do to reclaim our health by and do our body good. Walk, walk, walk. And if you vary the speed and tempo? Great! Just do it. Move and be healthy. Great job!

snickerscharlie

Due to some physical limitations, walking is the only exercise safely open to me at this point. I walk 20K+ steps per day, and have lost over 30 lbs in under 3 months. Walking rules!