Walking a form of cardio?
Replies
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For anyone who thinks walking is not a form of exercise . . .
^ this.
every soldier who has ever marched 20 miles is in agreement.
every postal deliveryman who walks his route delivering mail is in agreement.
every cop who walked a beat is in agreement.
etc.
walking is actually one of the best exercises. people can walk longer and further than they can run and they can avoid many of the common injuries that runners face.
one can burn quite a lot of calories on long walks (and hikes).
anybody who makes their living on their feet all day can well attest to how many extra calories they burn.
there is also a 10,000 step movement of people (and doctors and researchers) who believe that walking 10K or more steps a day strongly correlates to longevity and quality of life late into life.
in many ways, walking is the perfect exercise for humans because we have been designed for it.
I like walking, but it's harder on your feet than running is (believe it or not). And I read an interesting article that stated humans are built for running. Large glutes, and large achilles tendons (amongst many other attributes).
I started with walking, but got bored and wanted to get it over with faster. That's when the running came in.
Here is the Nature article:
http://www.clas.ufl.edu/users/krigbaum/proseminar/Bramble_Leib_2004_nature.pdf0 -
I disagree with this. Sure it's not an intense workout, but it's definitely something and if you keep a fast pace you can burn a decent amount of calories too.I was just talking to someone about this. If you're 85, a walk might be a workout. It's all relative. For generally healthy people, walking is light activity, not working out.
I didn't say it was nothing. I said it's light activity. But, walking is NOT a workout, if you are relatively healthy.
I think that people are missing what you have said, its gone right over their heads.0 -
For anyone who thinks walking is not a form of exercise . . .
^ this.
every soldier who has ever marched 20 miles is in agreement.
every postal deliveryman who walks his route delivering mail is in agreement.
every cop who walked a beat is in agreement.
etc.
walking is actually one of the best exercises. people can walk longer and further than they can run and they can avoid many of the common injuries that runners face.
one can burn quite a lot of calories on long walks (and hikes).
anybody who makes their living on their feet all day can well attest to how many extra calories they burn.
there is also a 10,000 step movement of people (and doctors and researchers) who believe that walking 10K or more steps a day strongly correlates to longevity and quality of life late into life.
in many ways, walking is the perfect exercise for humans because we have been designed for it.
I like walking, but it's harder on your feet than running is (believe it or not). And I read an interesting article that stated humans are built for running. Large glutes, and large achilles tendons (amongst many other attributes).
I started with walking, but got bored and wanted to get it over with faster. That's when the running came in.
Here is the Nature article:
http://www.clas.ufl.edu/users/krigbaum/proseminar/Bramble_Leib_2004_nature.pdf
running gives me shin splints and i've turned my ankles a bunch of times running. i used to force myself to run when i was younger (in my 20's and 30's) and hated every minute of it. i even hated it when i had to do it for football and baseball (not during the games of course). i never ran more than 2-3 miles at a time for exercise. now that i walk, i can go for much longer distances and much larger burns. my usual daily walk (when i do it) is 8.5 or 9.7 miles at a comfortable pace.0 -
Walking is a from of cardio, no matter how low level it may be for some folks. For those starting out walking is great and does help. So keep up the good work.0
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Of course!! It is great for you and if you ever get bored or want to amp it up later on there are tons of things you can do to up the intensity.0
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If you walk fast enough it can be a good form of cardio. I can get on a treadmill or walk in very hilly terrain and get my heartrate into my target range.
I've found my FitBit to be a great walking motivator. For example yesterday I rode my recumbent bike for 45 min and burned 666 calories. I also walked a fair amount shopping and took a walk around the neighborhood. By the end of the day I'd burned another 443 calories (MFP FitBit adjustment) primarily from walking.
Walking might not help you build muscle definition, but it can help you burn calories and lose weight. If that is all you can or want to do at this point, go for it.0 -
You won't get abs from walking...
I got news for you honey--we're not all interested in "abs"0 -
There is a difference between "activity" and "exercise". Activity is any sustained movement. Exercise is an activity performed at a sufficient intensity, frequency, and duration to increase physical fitness (muscle strength or VO2max).
All exercise is "activity" but not all "activity" is exercise.
An activity such as walking CAN be "exercise" if it is done at a sufficient intensity, frequency, and duration. Otherwise, it is not.
"Activities" burn calories too, and if performed with enough volume, can significantly contribute to a calorie deficit. So, one does not have to "exercise" in order to lose weight.
Activity can contribute to increased health benefits, even if it is not performed at an "exercise" threshold.
Walking, even at brisk speeds (i.e. 4.0-4.2 mph)on level ground is a relatively low-intensity activity. Because of that, for younger people, or after a beginning phase, it is often not enough of a stimulus to result in sustained fitness benefits (walking intensities range from 2-4.5 METs, which means that only those with a VO2max of 6-9 METs are likely to get fitness improvements from walking. Even an unfit person under 30 is likely to have a VO2max of 8-10 METs.
Someone who is obese will work harder than a lighter individual, even if both are walking the same speed. Hills can also make a substantial difference.
Bottom line, the answer to the OP question is "yes, but only if the intensity is > 50% of the person's VO2max". However, saying that walking at a particular speed is not "exercise" for a given individual does not in away diminish the benefits of activity--esp for someone just starting out.0 -
You won't get abs from walking...
I got news for you honey--we're not all interested in "abs"
If you lose body fat, it doesn't really matter what you do to lose it. If you have the musculature, you will see the abs.
The OP was simply asking if she can log the calories of her walking that she just happened to do, so that she could eat a bit more calories.
And of course, seeing abs is not everyone's goal.0 -
It has worked well for me. I use runtastic.com and use their app to log distance, calories, and time. It works with mfp. I do 100 miles per month and have fun.0
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You won't get abs from walking...
I got news for you honey--we're not all interested in "abs"
Honey? Stop flirting. There's a perfectly good place for that but it's not on here...0 -
What? Please.... walking is ONE of the best exercises out there. The amount you burn will depend on how fast you walk and how much you weight.
It may not be the best for certain things, but it really is a good way to burn calories. Continue walking, you'll like yourself for it
[/quote] This0 -
for a 200lb person,
a 5 mile walk at an average pace burns about 530 calories
a 5 mile run at an average pace burns about 790 calories
they are both workouts, each with their own advantages and disadvantages.
So the difference between a run and a (brisk) walk of the same distance is the calories of an average cookie? Hey, I'm going for the walk!0 -
Walking is Cardio and it is a great workout for everybody . I found out that walking my HR reaches 188 while even doing insanity can't go up there... Find your limits then you will see that as soon as your body gets used to it you can increase speed until you can incorporate even some running..0
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There's other things you can that will be faster and more efficient...like sleeping...
but if you're burning cals, might as well log it
I don't understand why you are so dismissive? Not everyone is suited to the gym and might need something free, outdoors and easy to fit into their new lifestyle.. Walking is the only exercise I have done along with calorie counting and at 100 cals per mile burn when I was heavier it was well worth it. For fast walks see Leslie Sansone on youtube. I really enjoy incorporating into my daily routine now and I was right couch potato.0 -
for a 200lb person,
a 5 mile walk at an average pace burns about 530 calories
a 5 mile run at an average pace burns about 790 calories
they are both workouts, each with their own advantages and disadvantages.
So the difference between a run and a (brisk) walk of the same distance is the calories of an average cookie? Hey, I'm going for the walk!
Nope it not a cookie it is the afterburn.. more the intensity and greater will be the calories burned in the afterburn effect.0 -
You are joking right? Of course its cardio, you can even log it too!
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Anyway,,,, to some of you acting all snobbish and s*** !
Yes walking vigorously, fast paced, up hills, distance, and you may even skip every so often, or carry hand weights, to up intensity is cardio activity and you will lose weight!
Always research stuff out and do not take what any of us says at face value.0 -
You won't get abs from walking...
I got news for you honey--we're not all interested in "abs"
Honey? Stop flirting. There's a perfectly good place for that but it's not on here...
Not flirting, I just think that the fixation on "abs" especially by the "guys" is a bit much. They don't turn me on a bit. My husband is a walker and we walk for hours--he has a great bod.0 -
If you want to feel good about walking, or any other form of activity, go to YouTube and look for a video called 23 1/2 hours.0
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walking can be a HELL of a workout all depends on how hard you go at it and actually I have ran and walked and only burn about 100 cals less walking than running the exact same distance...........much better on your joints also than running.........do what you like and the Heck with the nay sayers! thats how I lost my first 50lbs is walking so please tell me again how it isn't a workout..............0
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I am generally not one to exercise so walking is all I do. I started with my dog for about 15 mins 3 times a day at slow speed. We have increased our speed & distance & still stayed at 20 mins twice a day & then 40 mins once a day. Every day I try to go further. Some days I go farther than others. Going from 0 to walking over an hour per day is an accomplishment for me.
OP--walking is good for you. Do what is best for you. If that's the only exercise you do, it's better than nothing. Besides, it's FREE. Some of us don't have the $$ to join a gym or the room to have a treadmill at home.0 -
You won't get abs from walking...
I got news for you honey--we're not all interested in "abs"
Honey? Stop flirting. There's a perfectly good place for that but it's not on here...
Not flirting, I just think that the fixation on "abs" especially by the "guys" is a bit much. They don't turn me on a bit. My husband is a walker and we walk for hours--he has a great bod.
Your husband is a walker? Thought for a minute you were going to say something else then.0 -
When I 226lbs, way before I discovered MFP, I lost weight from diet alone. Then I started walking and lost more weight and after while I could tell that I needed to do more, like speed walk. Eventually I got up to running a 14 minute mile. Today I clocked myself at 11.4 min/mile. Walking changed my life. Good luck OP!! And make Yourself a nice playlist to walk to. Music motivates!0
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In 2009 at 560 lbs. unable to stand for more than 30 seconds at a stretch let alone walk anywhere, my doctor wrote me a script for aquatic therapy which would allow me to use water displacement to let me stand long enough to exercise. I spent the next 17 months in the therapy pool walking from one side of the pool to the other. Every month that passed I moved from the deeper end to the shallower end (letting gravity take effect and allow me to take on my of my own weight). I added in ankle weights and webbed gloves for resistance as well and in that 17 months I lost 170 lbs. Do Not be so fast to short change walking, there is absolutely nothing but benefits from it and as you progress you can start adding in many variable... Now 312 lbs. lighter with 2 bad knee's and wearing braces I do interval incline treadmill routines that burn 1000 calories in an 80 minute session... By all means OP, do not let anyone discourage you or anyone else from the results anyone can get from walking... In the end, it is a hell of alot better than sitting on the couch..... Best of Luck0
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I just wanted to add (after reading everyone else's comments about walking being "good for a beginner" or whatever) that I am 2 years into this, can go 2 hours on the elliptical at a high intensity level, have lost 65 pounds, and still consider walking as exercise. No, it's not very intense, but it's relaxing and something that I actually enjoy, and like I've already said, it burns a decent amount of calories.
If you like walking, keep doing it. It will only benefit you!
I agree, I would rather take my baby for a walk any day then go to a gym and as long as your burning calories....YOUR BURNING CALORIES!0 -
In 2009 at 560 lbs. unable to stand for more than 30 seconds at a stretch let alone walk anywhere, my doctor wrote me a script for aquatic therapy which would allow me to use water displacement to let me stand long enough to exercise. I spent the next 17 months in the therapy pool walking from one side of the pool to the other. Every month that passed I moved from the deeper end to the shallower end (letting gravity take effect and allow me to take on my of my own weight). I added in ankle weights and webbed gloves for resistance as well and in that 17 months I lost 170 lbs. Do Not be so fast to short change walking, there is absolutely nothing but benefits from it and as you progress you can start adding in many variable... Now 312 lbs. lighter with 2 bad knee's and wearing braces I do interval incline treadmill routines that burn 1000 calories in an 80 minute session... By all means OP, do not let anyone discourage you or anyone else from the results anyone can get from walking... In the end, it is a hell of alot better than sitting on the couch..... Best of Luck
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I walk 6 miles a day, 5/6 days a week, averaging around 4 mph and burn approx. 700 calories according to my fitbit.
I am 44 yrs old and my cw is 128.
ETA: I also do weight lifting.0 -
walking for an hour at 2.5mph will burn you 150-200 calories depending on your weight0
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For anyone who thinks walking is not a form of exercise . . .
^ this.
every soldier who has ever marched 20 miles is in agreement.
every postal deliveryman who walks his route delivering mail is in agreement.
every cop who walked a beat is in agreement.
etc.
walking is actually one of the best exercises. people can walk longer and further than they can run and they can avoid many of the common injuries that runners face.
one can burn quite a lot of calories on long walks (and hikes).
anybody who makes their living on their feet all day can well attest to how many extra calories they burn.
there is also a 10,000 step movement of people (and doctors and researchers) who believe that walking 10K or more steps a day strongly correlates to longevity and quality of life late into life.
in many ways, walking is the perfect exercise for humans because we have been designed for it.
I like walking, but it's harder on your feet than running is (believe it or not). And I read an interesting article that stated humans are built for running. Large glutes, and large achilles tendons (amongst many other attributes).
I started with walking, but got bored and wanted to get it over with faster. That's when the running came in.
Here is the Nature article:
http://www.clas.ufl.edu/users/krigbaum/proseminar/Bramble_Leib_2004_nature.pdf
running gives me shin splints and i've turned my ankles a bunch of times running. i used to force myself to run when i was younger (in my 20's and 30's) and hated every minute of it. i even hated it when i had to do it for football and baseball (not during the games of course). i never ran more than 2-3 miles at a time for exercise. now that i walk, i can go for much longer distances and much larger burns. my usual daily walk (when i do it) is 8.5 or 9.7 miles at a comfortable pace.
I definitely count walking as exercise, don't get me wrong. I am lol'ing at some of the arguments contrary I am reading.0
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