Walk or Gym?

Evros06

I have a goal of losing 5kg in 2 and a half months at most. Is it better to go for walks or go to the gym? I don't have much free time (if you didn't understand something, it's because I'm using the translator)

blindgorilla

The gym can be a big commitment and costs money. Walking is free.

A couple of years ago I went on a big health improvement journey and used MFP to log calories with a target of a net 1,500 calories per day.

I say "net" as that was after adding in the exercise.

In the morning I got up early and took a 3-mile walk, in the evening I also took a 3-mile walk. Each of which took about 50 minutes to 1-hour. It helped that I have a dog, and I love podcasts and audiobooks.

On the app I logged the walk using the pre-saved "Walking, 12.5 mins per km, mod. pace" but noticed that the default 50-mins setting counted it as 357 calories, but deleting the 50-mins and then manually putting it back in at 50-mins changed the calories to 249, so I used that.

Over the course of 10 months I lost 9 stone, which works out as 57kg, which is 5.7kg per month.

You can do this - good luck.

lynn_glenmont

If your choice is between walking and the gym because you're not in shape to jog or run instead of walk, you're probably not in shape to burn a lot more calories at the gym.

Plus, you can start walking the minute you step out the door, whereas there's probably some time lost in getting to and from the gym, so walking may be a better use of your limited time. Maybe throw in some body weight exercises before, during or after the walk.

Unless you're obese and under a doctor's care, a goal if 1 kg a week for 10 weeks straight is likely over aggressive.

yirara

Half a kilo. not 1kg. But TO didn't provide their stats, thus there's still no way of knowing whether that's aggressive or not. Half a kilo is a calorie deficit of about 500kcal per day.

TO, exercise if you want to exercise and improve your health and looks. For weightloss, a calorie deficit is what you need. Burning 500kcal per day on exercise just won't happen. It's more likely that you'll be extra hungry and eat more. A weight lifting session in the gym might burn 100 calories. That's less than a chocolate bar. Walking a bit doesn't burn a ton either, but it takes a while to get a decent walk together, and again you might end up more hungry. Thus reasonable calorie deficit, eat some of your exercise calories back to fuel your body.