1 time or 2 times?

towardaminime

I have started walking and am up to doing about 2 miles or so a day. Should I do one longer walk (approx. 2 miles) or would I see more benefit from splitting it up and walking a mile in the morning and a mile in the late afternoon/evening? And is speed or distance more important for improving cardio fitness? I have been trying to keep my heart rate about 125-135 bpm and am now able to walk about 2-2.5 mph depending on incline. In case you need to know, I am female, age 55, have lost 24 lbs since June and have another 100 lbs to lose.

lorrpb

2 miles at one time is good if you can do it. Start adding in another shorter walk at a different time. Increase the length, speed and incline of both walks you get stronger and build up stamina. Congrsts on your success so far!

TimothyFish

It makes no difference whether you do it all at once or split it up.

MeanderingMammal

towardaminime wrote: »

I have started walking and am up to doing about 2 miles or so a day. Should I do one longer walk (approx. 2 miles) or would I see more benefit from splitting it up and walking a mile in the morning and a mile in the late afternoon/evening?

More benefit friends on what your objectives are. In terms of calorie expenditure there's no difference, but in terms of aerobic adaptation then a single session will be more useful, particularly if you can stretch it out for longer again.

Machka9

I walk many times throughout the day ... a little bit during my commute to work, a longer walk at lunch, a little bit on my commute home again, and a longer walk with my husband after work.

So yes, do the 2 mile walk you are currently doing ... and throw in some extra walks here and there too.