I just walk - that's ok, right?

moonbeams896

I have a dog and now that it's gotten so pretty outside, we've been walking 4 miles every other day. We both enjoy it. Some of my friends seem to feel I'm "wasting my time" if I'm not doing something more muscle based. That I need to be doing burpees, squats, lunges, etc. Frankly, I find the idea of having to do that very demotivating. I don't have interest in it, but I really enjoy walking.
It may take me longer to achieve my weight loss goals, but they'll come even with just a walk, right?

Habiteer

Man loses 200 pounds by walking to Walmart multiple times each day

Good luck.

goldthistime

Providing you are eating fewer calories than you are expending, absolutely! Nothing more important (in my mind at least) than enjoying the journey as much as possible. Sounds like you have that covered.

Me, I'm lucky in that I LIKE strength training. (No burpees though. Those things are hellush).

moonbeams896

Habiteer wrote: »

Man loses 200 pounds by walking to Walmart multiple times each day

Good luck.

Nice. Thanks!

brandiwyliemoore

You do not need to do anything but walk if you don't want to. Weight loss is more about what you eat rather than your exercise. I know marathon runners that are chubby because they don't eat well.

headzy

Walking is good for you and your dog, I found this short read https://www.ahealthiermichigan.org/2011/01/28/six-ways-i-maintain-my-weight-loss/

moonbeams896

headzy wrote: »

Walking is good for you and your dog, I found this short read https://www.ahealthiermichigan.org/2011/01/28/six-ways-i-maintain-my-weight-loss/

What a great article! Thanks! It's good to know I"m not out of my mind

cosmonew

If it is working, it is working...when it doesn't work try something else. Walking is great exercise.

samchez0

Walking is great. That's mainly what I do and I've lost weight on it. It may not be as much of a calorie burn but it's still better than nothing and I'm sure your pup is loving it to.

GottaBurnEmAll

A survey of the participants in The National Weight Control Registry (a group of over 10,000 people who have lost at least 30 pounds and maintained that loss for at least a year) shows their most common form of exercise to be walking.

MommyL2015

I started 545 days ago and all I've done is walk. I lost 50 pounds the first 8 months and have kept it off. Food is my main focus and the walking is enjoyable for me because I hate exercise.

traceyroy54

Yes keep up the walking! You are doing better than people sitting on there couch.

Asher_Ethan

Walking is good for you and I bet your doggy loves it as well.

generallyme2

Keep it up I have a friend who does 4 mile walks daily and she's lost a good amount! You're moving, you're not sitting at home watching tv and eating and you're feeling good about yourself. Every small step!

Michellewintzlo

I've decided to walk bc it's better than being a couch potato, it's something I don't dread doing and is something I feel I can do for the long haul. I'm using mfp to track my calories, I watch beginner weight videos on YouTube, and sometimes get on an elliptical also, but mostly walk, and I am losing. The loss is slow, but I am trying to make these changes permanent. It has to be enjoyable for me or I won't stick to it.

markrgeary1

Wife and I lost the majority of 110 pounds just walking. Is that OK?

Eventually we added some strength training but you don't have to.

BusyRaeNOTBusty

Right. That's okay.

jo_nz

I am a walker too. I have been a gym member at various stages of my life but I don't really enjoy it, so after a while it got harder to stay motivated.
But walking I love and can happily do it every day. I think it's great exercise. My dog makes sure I keep going frequently and I can add in short bursts of running with her if I feel like it. As she grows we will be able to do more long hikes too - can't wait!

sinbos

The walking you do does more to your muscles ( atlast in the legs) than the burpees, squats and lounges that you dont do because you dont like them

canadianlbs

doing things that you hate or that do nothing for your quality of life is a waste of your time too. imo, anyway.

snowflake930

Weight loss comes from burning more calories than you are consuming. I lost 100# doing no exercise. Not surprisingly, my knees were bad from supporting all the extra weight. At that time I began walking (with my dog too, he loves the hikes we take). I did join a gym 2 years ago and went on to lose over 160 pounds, but I still hike a lot with my dog as well. Exercise is important for overall health. Walking is great. No matter what you do, if you do not like it, you may not keep it up. Walking is free, and you can pretty much do it anywhere. Enjoy!

LivingtheLeanDream

Absolutely! its my favourite way to get cardio.

jemhh

Late to respond but walking is fantastic exercise. It is my main cardio. I used to run more but I keep coming back to walking.

moonbeams896

Thanks for all the encouraging words and support! I will keep up the walking!!

Verity1111

Everyone has different goals! The exercises you said people are encouraging you to do are for strength training, toning and gaining muscle when you are not eating at a deficit. You are walking, which is a form of cardio. It will help you lose weight and burns more calories than strength training. Walking might help you tone a little bit, but you most likely will not end up with a six pack or really "chiseled" arms, etc. If that's okay with you then keep up what you're doing!

BrianSharpe

Verity1111 wrote: »

Everyone has different goals!

^^^^^ Bingo!

I love running & riding my bike & lifting weights etc etc etc but that's me, not you. Walking is great exercise for both you and your dog. Keep it up!

bocasdelbob

Walking your dog for 4 miles every other day is OK big time. That is called adding quality to your life, your dogs life and your husband's life, big time. Let's stay in touch. Get descriptive about what you see and what you like. What is it that makes you want more life?

Hamsibian

I walked outside today for 3 miles. It was around the big lake, and the fall colors were gorgeous. If you enjoy walking, then keep doing it! I swear people, especially Americans, go to the extreme in everything...and that's why so many of us fail.

Spliner1969

I lost a grand total of 120 lbs in just over a year using MFP and.. yup... walking. There is not a single thing wrong with walking for exercise. Once you lose the weight you want to lose if you want to build muscle you can do it then. Heck, I tried building muscle while in a deficit and it did me little good. Sure, I could trade some fat for muscle, but most of that muscle was being built in my legs and core walking. Don't feel you're getting a good calorie burn? Walk faster. I walk up to 4mph most days now, and jog part of my walks up to 5.5mph. If there is one other thing I can recommend doing when you're comfortable with it, it's body weight exercises. No equipment required. I even do it during my walks, I'll walk a mile, stop and do 10-20 push ups, and continue walking. It's not a waste of time.

_reno_

Walking is better than not working out for sure, however, it is not optimal. And many of these statements such as "walking does more for your legs than squats" are blatantly false.

Adding resistance workouts and some small doses of more intense cardio will improve your health, fitness, and body composition more than just walking. Sorry there is just tons of research to support this.

That being said if walking is what you want to do then it is a much better choice than nothing, and not a waste of time.

GottaBurnEmAll

_reno_ wrote: »

Walking is better than not working out for sure, however, it is not optimal. And many of these statements such as "walking does more for your legs than squats" are blatantly false.

Adding resistance workouts and some small doses of more intense cardio will improve your health, fitness, and body composition more than just walking. Sorry there is just tons of research to support this.

That being said if walking is what you want to do then it is a much better choice than nothing, and not a waste of time.

How is the tone of this post helpful?

Exercise snobbery puts a lot of people off any form of exercise.

OP, please ignore this.

Let me share my story.

I have psoriatic arthritis, degenerative arthritis, and fibromyalgia. I was 210 pounds and sedentary for years. I was using a cane. I finally had enough and decided to change my life. I, a chronic exercise hater, decided that I was going to get off my butt and start walking. I had always liked just walking.

I took my cane and hobbled down to the corner. I did it again the next day. And the next. Eventually I walked 1/4 mile. Eventually that became a half a mile. Eventually, I no longer needed the cane. Eventually it was a full mile.

Then I started playing games. I decided that I'd walk faster between these two telephone poles and normal pace for the next three and repeat.

Then my walks grew to two miles.

Before I knew it, I was walking 5 miles a day. Eventually, my pace sped up so that I had gone from hobbling with a cane to walking 4 mph.

All this time, I was dieting. As I felt lighter, I felt more fit, and the weather had changed. I had joined a gym to walk indoors on a treadmill. Oh!!! Shiny things to play with. I started working with weights because I wanted to strengthen the muscles that supported my bad joints.

When the weather turned nice again, I decided I wanted to run. I started C25K. By the time Thanksgiving rolled around, I ran a 5K Turkey Trot.

I'm now 117 pounds and run every day.

All of this started because I decided I was "just going to walk".

This may or may not happen for you. It doesn't have to. Walking has many benefits. I still do a great deal of it every day. It keeps my joints from stiffening up. It helps me sort through life's little problems. It's the best mood lifter there is (well, that and running).

Don't ever feel you're "just" walking.