Success Using Walking as a Sole Method of Keeping Fit

ercarta

Anyone using walking alone to stay fit? If so, how much & how frequent?

Do the results reflect in your GP checkups?

Pray tell.

Eric

echmain3

Me. Walking is the only activity I like to do every day.

I did some bicycling but I ended up with a sore back so I mostly stopped except for some very short rides.

My goal is 10,000 steps per day. I walk exactly 4mph, 125 steps per minute. So it takes about 80 minutes but I break it up into groups of 2-4000 throughout the day.

I’d rather use a treadmill so I can use some incline but outside is good too.

I’m not sure about specific health measurements but my general health is better today than in the last 30 years. I’m 57.

ercarta

echmain3 wrote: »

Me. Walking is the only activity I like to do every day.

I did some bicycling but I ended up with a sore back so I mostly stopped except for some very short rides.

My goal is 10,000 steps per day. I walk exactly 4mph, 125 steps per minute. So it takes about 80 minutes but I break it up into groups of 2-4000 throughout the day.

I’d rather use a treadmill so I can use some incline but outside is good too.

I’m not sure about specific health measurements but my general health is better today than in the last 30 years. I’m 57.

@echmain3, that’s great! If I may, do you break up the walks into the same groups each day or do you just try to get all the steps in any way you can?

echmain3

It really depends on the time I have.

But I like to hit the treadmill at least twice per day.

I can always find 16 minutes to get in 2000 steps.

Fflpnari

I try to get at least 10k a day. Typically go on 1-2 walks a day ranging from 2-4k steps. With tracking calories I have lost a lot of weight.

Cullinanmarti

I do a minimum of 10,000 steps. I do some HIIT hills/trails or hills pushing a baby pram ( my granddaughter loves the out of doors). I have arthritis so I have to walk with correct form or I am in pain. I go at a 3.5 mph pace. I may break the steps up into two separate walks depending on the time element. I do 2 hours water aerobics twice a week in addition.

deadpheonixrising

I've lost 20kg from walking.

ercarta

Cullinanmarti wrote: »

I do a minimum of 10,000 steps. I do some HIIT hills/trails or hills pushing a baby pram ( my granddaughter loves the out of doors). I have arthritis so I have to walk with correct form or I am in pain. I go at a 3.5 mph pace. I may break the steps up into two separate walks depending on the time element. I do 2 hours water aerobics twice a week in addition.

@Cullinanmarti, this is great! I love that you focus on form as well. Have you noticed any notable improvements in your energy, weight, general health, etc since you began the walks with your granddaughter?

ercarta

deadpheonixrising wrote: »

I've lost 20kg from walking.

@deadpheonixrising, those are great results!

If I may, would you mind sharing the details of your walking schedule? ...frequency, distance, span of time it took to lose 20kg (44lbs) from when you began walking, any other relevant information to your success?

I’d love to hear more.

deadpheonixrising

It's totally fine with me.

I moved for university and my uni is quite far from any shops. The nearest supermarket is a good hour away walking.

To save money and get fitter I started to walk there when I needed to do shopping.

I'd say that I walk there and back at least once a week. This city is pretty hilly so it's downhill all the way there and uphill back with shopping. 😰😭

I lost the weight from September last year to Christmas, put a little back on over Christmas and am losing it again now.

My advice is to wear comfortable supportive shoes and to change the route.you.walk every now and then so that you don't get bored.

Thehardmakesitworthit

Walking was my segue way exercise! When I started 75 pounds ago I walked 5 days a week between 8 and 10 miles a day, I was a mad woman! I have since settled into 3 miles during each lunch hour and at least one 10 to 15 mile walk every seven days. I now focus on weight lifting but walking is my fave. Do what you can sustain and like!

OooohToast

Walking is the exercise I do every day - I walk our dogs twice a day and its close to 5miles / 10k steps in total and its hilly - I am still huffing in parts and its been 3 months ! I have changed my woe at the same time, weight and blood pressure are both well down on the pretty awful starting point.

Walking sometimes gets some bad press on MFP for not being 'worth it' in the context if CICO which I think is a bit outrageous tbh.

Its great for people of all ages, weight, levels of fitness, working or not, levels of free time - everyone can squeeze in a walk.

I think there are additional mental benefits to getting out and about as well !

rainbow198

Yes! On my quest to get fit and lose weight I started off walking, it was the main exercise I did while losing over 80 pounds and it has kept fit during my 6 years of maintenance.

My resting heart rate went from the mid-90's to currently in the upper 40's, blood pressure has reduced greatly and is in the normal range, it has given me stamina and lot of endurance...I could go on and on with the benefits I've received from my walks.

I walk daily. I do a mix of moderate, brisk or interval walking outdoors, walking workouts on Youtube or DVD, I'll walk or jog in place while watching TV and I have a puppy that need his short walks 3 times a day. I usually get in anywhere from 3 - 6 miles a day throughout the day. Sometimes more. Today I did 7.5 miles total.

What I love is that my walks give me energy, my heart rate gets elevated, it's easy on my joints and I can walk everyday and not get sore or tired, but it's still very effective with maintaining my fitness and body composition.

I love my walks! ❤

adotbaby

My workouts have been mostly walking, usually about 60 or 70 minutes, around my neighborhood, or I walk out to the nearby lighthouse, about 4.25 miles. Otherwise, I use my treadmill. I start at 3mph for about 3 minutes, then 4mph at 6% incline for 4-4.25 miles. This time of year, we are busy with gardening and yard work, so that's my workout. I made a "walk" playlist for my walks too. I'm down over 70 lbs in 14 months. I thought about starting to introduce jogging, but decided not to because I've had such good results, walking is so much easier on the joints. Best exercise ever 😀

neugebauer52

Wasn't able to walk much when I started with 170 kg (375 pounds) on my back 400 days ago. Started with a walk around the block, which took me nearly half an hour (1 km). Over time was able to walk longer distances but still very slowly. By now I have lost 32 kg (70 pounds) and walk 3 to 6 times a week, usually one to 2 hours. Old knee operation does not help but I enjoy greatly walking in nature. Have tried the gym - but do not fit into / onto most machines. However love water aerobics - all the weight gone and good exercise for my knee. One day I would love to ride a bicycle and start ice skating again.

fmas012

Walking is what I do, and I've now lost nearly 145 pounds in two years (down from 400 to 257 as of the other day). I started with about 30 minutes on the treadmill 3-4 times per week, but now I do five days a week and I average between 60-90 minutes. Just walking while watching TV or movies. It's not about WHAT you do for an activity, so long as you get up and move on a regular basis!

CindyJNC1963

Yes, I started at 273 lbs and I'm down to 203 lbs with walking as my primary exercise. 10k steps per day is my goal.

elisa123gal

An hour nature walk on most days is the number one way I lost weight...and the absolute way to maintain.
I've done many exercise classes before..but walking simply works best and it isn't even like exercise. I don't count steps .. I just walk as fast as I'm motivated.. swing my arms if I feel like it...and enjoy nature. I look forward to my walks and they are right out your door. No driving to the gym which eats time out of your day.

swiftyl

I'm restarting MFP, but when I was here before (and again now), I started with walking. I had a wii game called walk it out (step to the beat in the UK) which was really useful to get my daily steps in. I'm using it again now, which means I have no excuse to not walk - even when it's snowing! Outdoor walking is probably better though, due to inclines, longer strides etc, I just personally find it a bit boring. (Probably need pokemon go or something to keep me entertained). Anyway just a thought for those that want to increase steps indoors.

carakirkey

I walk daily and I hope to do this for the rest of my life. The goal is to stay mobile and healthy as I age, and maintain a healthy weight. A walk, particularly in nature, I find great for stress relief, exercise of course, and a social opportunity as well if I meet a friend. I'm blessed to live in a great city for nature, there is a protected marsh area close by that is so vibrant, or I can walk up the large hill (Mountain) behind my house for spectacular views. And my workplace has great trails around that I can walk on for breaks. Its part of my daily life now. I do find I need additional cardio or strength exercise to get over some plateaus in weight loss, but the walking I can maintain.

carakirkey

swiftyl wrote: »

. (Probably need pokemon go or something to keep me entertained).

I do love walking, but also play pokemon go. It keeps me motivated to go a bit further to hatch an egg, or to just get out on days I'd love to stay horizontal but gotta keep the daily streak of pokestops. My kid is more interested in the pokemons. He'll often join me for a walk around the neighborhood, or he's at least supportive of me going out for a walk, if it means I come back with a new pokemon!