Can walking make a difference?? Help!

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Replies

  • pwittek10
    pwittek10 Posts: 723 Member
    YES!!!!
    When I was obese I could hardly walk 100 ft now I can walk 5 miles.
    Having a baby girl that you can take on a walk also is great!
    Walking got rid of my belly fat, I was shocked!
  • hmaddpear
    hmaddpear Posts: 610 Member
    Another walker here - started out seven weeks ago, walking a mile in the morning and a mile at lunchtime during the work week. I've upped my lunchtime walk to 2 miles, and am considering 3 miles shortly. I also try to get at least 10 miles in over the weekend. With that and counting my calories, I've lost nearly 16 pounds. (Ignore my ticker - formal check-in is tomorrow...)
  • I have Graves Disease, and before I received proper treatment for it, I lost a ton of muscle. Walking for 30 minutes a day is a wonderful way to start! Any little bit helps.
  • Yes, walking is a great workout, if you amp your steps and speed. I started out walking 30 minutes a day at a slow pace, then gradually increased the length of time and the pace. On occasion, I will walk up hills (I live in San Francisco) just to boost my metabolism and muscle workout. I also have invested in a pedometer. It's a great way to keep you accountable and see results on a daily basis.

    Good luck!
  • bernied262
    bernied262 Posts: 882 Member
    Yes, it can! I lost the first 19lbs through walking alone. It helped that I got a puppy that needed the exercise too ;) Then, I joined a gym, but I still walk twice a day, come rain or shine. Walking helps me physically and mentally, it is my time to de-stress and take in my surroundings.
  • Lupercalia
    Lupercalia Posts: 1,857 Member
    I started with just walking 30 minutes daily. I did great, and felt so much better after just one month that I wanted to do MORE, so I started training with kettlebells in addition to my walks. A few months later, I wanted to start lifting weights again, so I joined a gym and got back to lifting. I kept all my walking and still trained with kettlebells, and that's pretty much where I'm at now--I still do all three things regularly.

    Walking is fantastic--it was really challenging for me to walk those 30 minutes when I first started, but I really gained confidence and fitness quickly by just keeping at it and going a little bit further each week. I love walking and it's my main mode of transport these days.
  • Momma_Grizz
    Momma_Grizz Posts: 294 Member
    Absolutely it will help you! And you don't have to start with 30 minutes, just start with what you can. That's how I started, just keeping moving, do as much as you can and keep moving forward. Not will it only help you with your weight loss and increase your confidence, your heart and lungs will thank you too. :flowerforyou:
  • confused_truffle
    confused_truffle Posts: 38 Member
    I would walk long distances (4-8mi) 3-4x a week and I was in the greatest physique I've ever achieved through any other exercise regime!
  • RoyBeck
    RoyBeck Posts: 947 Member
    Absolutely!!

    Enjoy walking, stick your music on and slowly build it up. You can move onto running (As I am) or just stick with walking. Either way your making a difference.

    Keep going!
  • lsorci919
    lsorci919 Posts: 772 Member
    I totally understand you! A little while ago my 3 year old patted my belly and told me "pillow". Time to make some changes!

    I do think walking will help. I started a couple weeks ago walking about 1 to 2 miles every couple days. Now I go almost everyday, I do about 3 miles and I started jogging/running at least part of it.
  • HeyGoRun
    HeyGoRun Posts: 550 Member
    Buy a pedometer and set up walking goals!! See your progress!
  • 1longroad
    1longroad Posts: 642 Member
    Most definitely 'yes'!! That is the exercise I do, due to joint and bone spur problems.
  • I lost 60 pounds just by walking everywhere and cutting my portion sizes. I found my weight loss stalled after 60 which why I joined this site and log now. I have also just started some strength training.

    People like to over complicate things sometimes. All you need to do to lose weight is move a bit more and eat at a small deficit.
  • ripemango
    ripemango Posts: 534 Member
    *kitten* the people saying it won't do any good.

    Eat at a caloric deficit and walk 30 minutes a day. I guarantee in two months your body will be different. I bet you'll feel better too.
  • I found hiking poles on sale at ****'s Sporting Goods last week and figured for $20 for the pair, it was worth a try.

    I took them to my local park that has a walking path and absolutely loved walking with the poles. I walk every evening after dinner now. Right now I'm only walking one mile. As my body gets used to it I plan to increase the distance. But walking really does help give you a cardio work out.

    So grab your daughter and go for walk together.
  • Lyadeia
    Lyadeia Posts: 4,603 Member
    For the past month and a half, the ONLY exercise I got was walking. My body fat dropped from 23 to 21% and I lost 5 pounds.

    Sure, the process could have been sped up with more exercise, but I couldn't exercise due to an injury that I had in July.

    Walking does work as long as your calorie deficit is in place.
  • Lichent
    Lichent Posts: 157 Member
    sure does , my buddy and I are dropping LBS by walking