Is dog walking going to help lose weight?

linlinjay
linlinjay Posts: 66 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Hello everyone!
So i'm a student so I either study or lay in bed all day, especially after not having high school sports anymore. I just got a dog, haven't been walking her as much but I want to start with that to get back in shape. Is it something that will make we lose weight and gain *some* muscle? Because I tried to do body weight exercises because I hear that gaining muscle helps to burn alot of fat. But i'm so out of shape that I give up in 2 minutes. For now my goal is walking her 30 minutes a day and then when it becomes a habit maybe an hour a day.

Replies

  • T0M_K
    T0M_K Posts: 7,526 Member
    you need to be realistic that walking is primarily for your well being and does little in the way of burning calories that are impactful in your weight loss journey.

    the mental gains from getting out there and doing something physical should NOT be over looked. its kind of like a snowball affect. one leads to another. walking leads to just well being and a desire to be healthier which leads to better eating which leads to perhaps a more strenuous exercise.

    so do something. :)
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    Any increase in activity will increase energy expenditure...whether or not it results in losing weight would depend on whether you're taking in fewer calories than you expend.
  • MoiAussi93
    MoiAussi93 Posts: 1,948 Member
    edited March 2017
    Yes, but it, of course, depends on long long and how fast. If you leisurely take her out for a 5 minute stroll...you won't see much benefit. But if your 30 minutes is at a very fast pace and ...even better...includes steep or moderate hills...you can burn significant calories in a half hour. Start with what you can do and progressively build up time and intensity. Many people run with their dogs and I see people hiking with them on most trails I've been on. Good exercise for you and the dog loves it.

    Also...if you want to gain some muscle you really need to include hills. Flat walks won't do much in that regard.
  • sjaplo
    sjaplo Posts: 974 Member
    It's also good for the dog to be walked regularly. Mine gets a walk at least four times a day.
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,809 Member
    edited March 2017
    No muscle doesn't burn a lot of calories - that's a myth.
    Actually using your muscles can do though.

    You aren't building muscle just walking the dog but at least you aren't losing muscle by laying in bed all day.
    Sure as hell going to improve your health being active though.

    Make a start, make it a habit, progress...
  • lorrpb
    lorrpb Posts: 11,463 Member
    Walking is great, with or without a dog. I've read reports that people with dogs weigh less because the dogs help them be more active.
    If you can barely make it 2 minutes, then don't start with 30. You'll get discouraged and give up. Start by walking 10 minutes with a break. Then add 5minutes each week. You'll be up to 30 minutes in a couple months. Take breaks as much as you need to, that will get less and less as well until you walk a brisk 60 min nonstop.
  • jnomadica
    jnomadica Posts: 280 Member
    First, walking your dog is a must! Dogs need exercise to be healthy and happy. My dogs definitely keep me active. I doubt I'd be over 10K steps a day without them. But to keep muscle mass I lift heavy 3x per week (I highly recommend it!).
  • birgitkwood
    birgitkwood Posts: 486 Member
    Almost any activity you do with your dog will help you burn more calories than laying on the couch! So yes, absolutely walk her. A lot! And also throw a ball, teach her to catch a frisbee, take her for agility training. Take her swimming and hiking. All will strengthen your bond with her, keep her mentally and physically healthy, and get YOU off the couch. But go easy on yourself. As someone else said, if you can walk only 2 mins right now, work up to 5. Then 10 & 15, etc. Every week or so increase your time a little. You'll be amazed how quickly your stamina will improve! Good luck to both of you.
  • augustremulous
    augustremulous Posts: 378 Member
    Personally I find it easier to hit my 10,000 steps a day if I start out the day with a 3 mile walk with my dog. 10,000 steps is approximately 5 miles, so it's nice to have the majority of your steps out of the way before you even officially start the day.

    But if 10K is too much, start out lower.
  • linlinjay
    linlinjay Posts: 66 Member
    JeepHair77 wrote: »
    Also, I think I could give much better advice if I had a picture of said dog.
    She's a husky! So very energetic!!
  • linlinjay
    linlinjay Posts: 66 Member
    Also just to clarify, so that I don't sound like an *kitten* to my dog, I do walk my dog but the walks are very short and take her to a dog park to release all of her energy that I wish i had :smiley:
  • Christine_72
    Christine_72 Posts: 16,049 Member
    linlinjay wrote: »
    Also just to clarify, so that I don't sound like an *kitten* to my dog, I do walk my dog but the walks are very short and take her to a dog park to release all of her energy that I wish i had :smiley:

    Phew, I'm glad to hear she gets out everyday, dogs NEED this, it's not a luxury for them, but a necessity.

    My daughter has 2 Huskies, you've got your work cut out for you as they need a ton of mental and physical activity.

    As for walking, i think it's a great exercise. I try and walk at least 10kms everyday.

  • Sumiblue
    Sumiblue Posts: 1,597 Member
    I walk my dog pretty regularly and it's great for both of us. It's the only cardio I do, outside of the odd 20 minute FitStar routine. So, yes to helping you lose weight. Not going to gain muscle walking the dog, though. Consistency is key. The more you walk the better shape you will be in and then you can get back to body weight strength work. You need to keep at it to get stronger.
    I was just thinking today about how side planks used to be difficult for me and I used to have to do them from my knees. Now I have no problem doing them with stacked feet.
  • spiriteagle99
    spiriteagle99 Posts: 3,740 Member
    Take her out walking a couple of times a day. Extend the time so that eventually you are walking at least an hour a day. Eventually you might want to throw in some short jogs. Huskies are high energy dogs, so the more you exercise her, the happier she will be, and the better behaved. We have a golden retriever and our morning and nighttime walks are a highlight of our day. It is good to get out in all seasons, all weathers and experience the world through his eyes.
  • annacole94
    annacole94 Posts: 994 Member
    I use a phone app as a pedometer (Google Fit) and aim for 1 hour of exercise a day. It adjusts MFP based on steps, and IMO, is reasonably accurate for that. It definitely helps.
  • Christine_72
    Christine_72 Posts: 16,049 Member
    I also should add that my calves are solid rock these days, 100% attributable to lots of walking. They're like night day compared to before i started walking.
  • chaosbutterfly
    chaosbutterfly Posts: 71 Member
    I agree, walking is awesome exercise. On days when I can't get to the gym, I try to get out and just walk a few miles, and while it's not as good as a vigorous workout, it does make a difference. Definitely try to seek out different terrain. Hills, valleys, stairs...they are all going to really help bring up your heart rate and work your muscles in different ways.

    You can also go to the gym (without your dog lol), hop on the treadmill, and walk at different inclines and speeds. Depending on the settings, you will be pouring sweat within minutes and it's a good way to build aerobic endurance, so you can start doing other, more vigorous forms of activity.

    Last, I always find that when I am active, it is easier to make healthy choices in terms of food. I'm much less tempted to eat unhealthily knowing that I just put in so much work at the gym or track or wherever and if I eat that donut or slice of pizza, it would have all been for nothing.
    So even though walking itself might not lead to great weight loss alone, just increasing your activity could launch a snowball that will eventually lead to a healthier lifestyle overall.
  • TonyB0588
    TonyB0588 Posts: 9,520 Member
    linlinjay wrote: »
    Hello everyone!
    So i'm a student so I either study or lay in bed all day, especially after not having high school sports anymore. I just got a dog, haven't been walking her as much but I want to start with that to get back in shape. Is it something that will make we lose weight and gain *some* muscle? Because I tried to do body weight exercises because I hear that gaining muscle helps to burn alot of fat. But i'm so out of shape that I give up in 2 minutes. For now my goal is walking her 30 minutes a day and then when it becomes a habit maybe an hour a day.

    Walking will help - with or without the dog. The main principle here on My Fitness Pal is Calories In, Calories Out, and Calorie Deficit. The walking will increase your Calories Out, portion control and wise food choices will reduce your Calories In, then its easier to have a Calorie Deficit which will lead to weight loss and better health.
  • JeepHair77
    JeepHair77 Posts: 1,291 Member
    linlinjay wrote: »
    JeepHair77 wrote: »
    Also, I think I could give much better advice if I had a picture of said dog.
    She's a husky! So very energetic!!

    Oh, lordy. I have a husky mix who is 99% husky, I think. For the first two years if his membership in the family, it was my daily goal to just wear him out.

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