Walking

pjn42

Hi guys, I'm just starting on my weight loss journey and am going to begin with walking as my main exercise.

Basically I walked 7.5 miles today on my first walk and really enjoyed it. I was really tempted to stop halfway through for a drink (of water) and a read of my book but wasn't sure if pausing the walk for 30 mins or so would have a negative effect on the exercise?

Does anyone know if it would have? Any advice would be greatly appreciated

Paul

geneticsteacher

"Longer, less frequent sessions of aerobic exercise have no clear advantage over shorter, more frequent sessions of activity." Mayo clinic. Stop and drink water if you want to.

http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/expert-answers/aerobic-exercise/faq-20058561

lemurcat12

pjn42 wrote: »

Does anyone know if it would have? Any advice would be greatly appreciated

None at all. If you are training for a running or biking event getting used to running or biking a distance without stopping will be important, perhaps, but just walking to add activity in your day, no. Take as many walks as you desire. A nice long walk to hang out and read and then a walk home sounds lovely as a future plan!

srk369

Audio books are great for walks too!

lemurcat12

Podcasts are my addiction for running or walking.

pjn42

Thanks for the advice I tend to listen to podcasts on walks, although if it starts to get tough I really need my music playlists to get me "over the hill"

bobtater1

Distance time and speed together burns the calories. Stopping just shuts the calorie counter down until you resume again as long as it is all within the 24 hour period. Remember MFP resets your calorie count for the next day.

sijomial

Stop and smell the flowers or enjoy the view - the more you enjoy the walk the more likely you are going to stick to your routine.

For calories burned that's really in relation to the distance covered rather than the time. So a faster walk with a pause that covers the same distance as a slower walk non-stop will be roughly the same.

7.5 miles for a first walk is impressive!

Frayde

I like to listen to the birds, the wind, my footfall, the train whistles. Congratulations on your new habit of walking. I hope it will be a long, productive ritual for you!

TimothyFish

You should be drinking fluids when you are exercising. There is no advantage to walking non-stop and there is a significant disadvantage to dehydration.

kshama2001

A stop for a drink and a read sounds lovely. I've been trying to make it around the pond at a state park near me for some time now and haven't quite made it yet. Maybe I'll bring a book and plan on a read half way around.