Walking to lose weight.

leahadix3
leahadix3 Posts: 24 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Hey everyone,

Just wanted to know if this sounds like a good plan. I am trying to lose 30lbs and would like to start walking. Would walking for an hour a day for 5 or 6 days a week be good exercise? Obviously at a brisk pace. I am also going to be drinking only water and snacking on more fruits, vegetables, and almonds. And I recently discovered Skinnytaste.com, so I would be getting a majority of my recipes from their. Also, I haven't eaten any fast food in 2 weeks or drank any soda and I no longer crave it which I think is a good start.
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Replies

  • Dragn77
    Dragn77 Posts: 810 Member
    I think walking is great exercise...its what Im doing and its working so far. Ive tried doing the C25K several times, everytime I try, I remember why I stop...my knees are shot from my time in the Army. But some part of me keeps forgetting that lol

    Anyway, I once went from a size 10 to a 2 and the only exercise I did was walk...it wasnt by choice though, I wasnt driving during that time and had to walk everwhere lol but it did get me to realize that walking is effective. A couple years ago I lost 30lbs from walking alone.

    So...back at it here again. Personally, when I try to run my knees kill then I cant do anything for awhile, but when I walk, I can do that every day with no negative effects. So as far as cardio goes...my vote is to go for it. Strength training would be a good thing to add in too...Im not doing it, but to give a well rounded answer, will say I do believe in the benefits of strength training for weight loss / building and maintaining muscle tone.
  • leahadix3
    leahadix3 Posts: 24 Member
    Thank you for the response! I love walking so I know it is something I can stick to. I really want to tone up my legs and I feel like it would be good for me. I also have some hand weights at home so I want to incorporate those in as well, like with arm exercises and squats as well, but I'd rather focus on just walking for a while. I'm really looking for inch loss more than anything, the number on the scale isn't number 1. Just want to feel better and look better :wink:
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  • scottaworley
    scottaworley Posts: 871 Member
    It depends upon what you eat. Track your calories and make sure you stick close to your goal.
  • leahadix3
    leahadix3 Posts: 24 Member
    I wish I could take my dog for long walks. I have a 10 year old German Shepherd with bad hips, he can barely get around the house :frown:
  • weightlossforbrian
    weightlossforbrian Posts: 38 Member
    You will do great if you stick to it. Don't be in a rush. enjoy your walks, I know that I do. Any form of exercise is better than no exercise at all. Remember to use Myfitnesspal to help you along your journey to weight loss by logging your food and walks so that you have a better understanding of what is going on with your goals.

    And don't forget, what you eat plays a huge roll on weight loss.


    take care.
  • ashenriot
    ashenriot Posts: 3
    Yes, walking every day, switching to healthier snacks and drinks, like water, and eating a lot of really delicious dishes from skinnytaste definitely works. Keep your net calories close to your goal and you should pretty much shed the pounds, depending on your starting weight. I started doing exactly what you're planning in July of last year and by November I had lost 30lbs. Make sure to try the chicken pesto (it's so fancy!) and the Barbacoa beef with cilantro lime rice, two of my favorites from skinnytaste! Good Luck!
  • welly5
    welly5 Posts: 293 Member
    Great place to start! And skinnytaste's recipes are awesome. I love her healthy chicken nuggets. You should check out 'Oh She Glows' blog too, lots of great healthy recipes
  • simpsona5
    simpsona5 Posts: 24
    If you do what you plan to do, you should easily loose weight. I heard that walking on an incline is better than running on the flat. My only words of advise would be watch the almonds they are full of calories!!!
  • cenafan
    cenafan Posts: 398 Member
    I lost my first 50 pounds just walking quickly. 5km a day. Great exercise and the fresh air is nice too!
  • kbeech06
    kbeech06 Posts: 328 Member
    I walk every day...ok well almost every day :) I try to walk around 4-5 miles but it all depends on the weather. I have a treadmill, but I get so bored on it, so I will only use it if I absolutely have to. Eating within my calorie goals and walking seems to be working so far!
  • QueenE_
    QueenE_ Posts: 522 Member
    That's what I started out with when I first started exercising! My two year old loves to take walks.
  • leahadix3
    leahadix3 Posts: 24 Member
    You will do great if you stick to it. Don't be in a rush. enjoy your walks, I know that I do. Any form of exercise is better than no exercise at all. Remember to use Myfitnesspal to help you along your journey to weight loss by logging your food and walks so that you have a better understanding of what is going on with your goals.

    And don't forget, what you eat plays a huge roll on weight loss.


    take care.

    Thanks for the response! Definitely gotta make sure not to rush in the beginning, I've done it before and failed miserably. Take care!
  • leahadix3
    leahadix3 Posts: 24 Member
    I walk every day...ok well almost every day :) I try to walk around 4-5 miles but it all depends on the weather. I have a treadmill, but I get so bored on it, so I will only use it if I absolutely have to. Eating within my calorie goals and walking seems to be working so far!

    Sounds like you're doing great! I've never been fond of treadmills, I get bored as well.
  • leahadix3
    leahadix3 Posts: 24 Member
    If you do what you plan to do, you should easily loose weight. I heard that walking on an incline is better than running on the flat. My only words of advise would be watch the almonds they are full of calories!!!

    I plan on going to a local park with a few hills so that should be good. And I never knew almonds were full of calories, thanks!
  • leahadix3
    leahadix3 Posts: 24 Member
    Yes, walking every day, switching to healthier snacks and drinks, like water, and eating a lot of really delicious dishes from skinnytaste definitely works. Keep your net calories close to your goal and you should pretty much shed the pounds, depending on your starting weight. I started doing exactly what you're planning in July of last year and by November I had lost 30lbs. Make sure to try the chicken pesto (it's so fancy!) and the Barbacoa beef with cilantro lime rice, two of my favorites from skinnytaste! Good Luck!

    I've been addicted to the site and saving recipes! Lol. I'll have to look those 2 up! I'm excited to make the Cajun chicken pasta and those little confetti cupcake pink lemonade things, haha. They look perfect for Summer! And thank you :smile:
  • leahadix3
    leahadix3 Posts: 24 Member
    I lost my first 50 pounds just walking quickly. 5km a day. Great exercise and the fresh air is nice too!

    Wow, that is amazing! Definitely motivating! And the fresh air is a plus, I'd rather be outside than in a gym.
  • leahadix3
    leahadix3 Posts: 24 Member
    Great place to start! And skinnytaste's recipes are awesome. I love her healthy chicken nuggets. You should check out 'Oh She Glows' blog too, lots of great healthy recipes

    Definitely gotta check the healthy chicken nuggets out and I'll be sure to check out the blog! Thank you :smile:
  • leahadix3
    leahadix3 Posts: 24 Member
    That's what I started out with when I first started exercising! My two year old loves to take walks.

    Aw, that's nice! I babysit my little 9 month old niece a few days a week so taking her out in her stroller would be good.
  • phjorg1
    phjorg1 Posts: 642 Member
    walking is fine for activity. but just remember that your results are what you put into it. if your goal is to do some activity to increase heart health and lose a few pounds and look..well, average as someone who walks, then by all means. go crazy, walking is fine and will suit those goals no problem. if you want to look lean and athletic, then walking won't cut it.
  • cenafan
    cenafan Posts: 398 Member
    walking is fine for activity. but just remember that your results are what you put into it. if your goal is to do some activity to increase heart health and lose a few pounds and look..well, average as someone who walks, then by all means. go crazy, walking is fine and will suit those goals no problem. if you want to look lean and athletic, then walking won't cut it.


    Didn't realize a50 pound loss with "just" walking was average. This came off so demeaning.
  • Dragn77
    Dragn77 Posts: 810 Member
    walking is fine for activity. but just remember that your results are what you put into it. if your goal is to do some activity to increase heart health and lose a few pounds and look..well, average as someone who walks, then by all means. go crazy, walking is fine and will suit those goals no problem. if you want to look lean and athletic, then walking won't cut it.


    Didn't realize a50 pound loss with "just" walking was average. This came off so demeaning.

    Incredibly. Talk about downgrading the efforts of those of have lost weight and arent focused on developing an athletic build. Everyone has different goals, nothing average about success when one is achieving theirs.
  • LuckyMunky
    LuckyMunky Posts: 200 Member
    Hey, I LOVE to walk!! It is amazing exercise!

    I have managed to lose about 20 lbs by just walking, counting calories and eating at a deficit. I walk about 4 days a week for an hour each. I bought a cheap pedometer at Walmart for about $15 that I use to track how many steps I've taken, the distance walked, etc. It gives a more accurate calorie count than what MFP gives (in my case it's higher.) I can not run - my chronic pain prevents me from doing anything with a high impact on my joints, so walking is just perfect for me.
  • Alwayssohungry
    Alwayssohungry Posts: 369 Member
    It's definitely a fabulous start ! Eat less, move more works like a charm.
  • whisperer02
    whisperer02 Posts: 52
    Yes, it did sound demeaning. I walk every day and it has helped to tone me and helped with inches lost. So walkers, walk on!
  • mbcxx09
    mbcxx09 Posts: 3
    "my name is marybeth and I am a walker" (said while standing, lol)


    Once upon a time I was in great shape...live got in the way and I because much much less active.

    Started walking 2-4+ miles a day and am now down 4lb and feeling awesome. My body doesn't hurt bc I am not stiff. I hope to continue all the way to 40lbs.

    Add me as a friend ( you will be my first) and we can walk of the weight together.
  • TheGr8Kimbini
    TheGr8Kimbini Posts: 92
    Hey, I LOVE to walk!! It is amazing exercise!

    I have managed to lose about 20 lbs by just walking, counting calories and eating at a deficit. I walk about 4 days a week for an hour each. I bought a cheap pedometer at Walmart for about $15 that I use to track how many steps I've taken, the distance walked, etc. It gives a more accurate calorie count than what MFP gives (in my case it's higher.) I can not run - my chronic pain prevents me from doing anything with a high impact on my joints, so walking is just perfect for me.

    Have you heard of Runtastic? It's a great app and it's free! It also syncs up to MFP for you too. :bigsmile:
  • MrsRobertson1005
    MrsRobertson1005 Posts: 552 Member
    I think as long as you stick to it, it will be a great exercise plan!
  • JoelleAnn78
    JoelleAnn78 Posts: 1,492 Member
    I lost 90 pounds walking only on my lunch break M-F for one hour. When I started it was only about a mile or a little more and slowly as I got more comfortable and lost more weight I was able to go much quicker. By the end (I changed jobs and lost my walking route and lunch hour routine!) I was walking 4 miles and still had time to use the bathroom and grab a water on my way back to my desk. Walking is a great activity for losing weight and improving your overall fitness in my book.

    I take my one year old in his stroller lots of times for a 2 mile walk -- he loves it and we see lots of neat stuff (ducks, frogs, doggies, all the things he loves to say - lol). I use Runkeeper on my iphone and I set the alerts to tell me when I have gone 1 mile. I tuck my phone in my pocket (or the stroller) and head out. When it says I have gone 1 mile we turn around! Easy as can be!
  • kitjos
    kitjos Posts: 158 Member
    Walker here too! :wink:

    I have a treadmill so most of my walking is done on there, approx. 30-60 mins 5 times a week, I lost quite abit from doing this (25lbs) - I did incorporate some fitness dvd's every now and again but I thank my loss down to walking.

    Now im post baby and back to my prev weight ( :grumble: ) , im starting over again

    All the best!

    x

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