Walking Versus Jogging/Running

stephaniedewberry

Hello all,

I am looking for some general advise on fitness.

I really struggle to go jogging/running! I'm overweight and feel very heavy on my feet and as a result I find jogging/running very uncomfortable. I also can't run for long periods. I tend to stop every few metres and then walk for a bit and try and jog again. Also, because of my weight gain I have a lot of pain in my knees as well when trying to jog/run and so I usually come home afterwards feeling very exhausted and deflated.

However, I love walking! On a nice sunny day nothing can deter me from going on a good old 10-15 mile walk.

So - I was thinking... in addition to Weightwatchers (which I am currently following), do people think that maybe going for a 20-30minute fast walk in the mornings will help with my fitness and weightloss or does walking really not do any good?

I'm asking because I never really see people walking on their own. They either are rambling with a dog first thing in the morning or they're of course jogging/running.

Do people walk for weightloss and fitness? Does it work?

Any advise would be great :-)

itsadogslife

Walking does plenty of good. Its great for people just starting out on their fitness and health journey, because it is low-impact and provides minimal risk for injury and cardiovascular distress. As you start to find your walks becoming easier, try to alternate between a light jog back to a walk, and keep building. I hated running my whole life, but now I've managed to build up to a steady pace for a distance, and I find it more enjoyable because I'm not winded and I don't feel so clumsy. Fitness, like weight-loss, takes time, and repetition. Lots of bodybuilders will choose walking over intense cardio when trying to bulk so it is recognized as a form of exercise.

Good luck, and don't give up. Nutrition + Exercise = Your Goal

brianpperkins

Any activity that burns calories can help create a deficit and assist with weight loss ... walking, running, cycling, swimming, skipping, dancing, etc. Some of those activities are more efficient at burning calories than others.

http://www.runnersworld.com/weight-loss/how-many-calories-are-you-really-burning?page=single

Towards the bottom of that link is a table showing the gross and net average caloric burns for walking and running. Running burns about twice as many net calories per mile traveled.

Running has a learning curve. The body needs retraining to learn what it used to do naturally for most of us as a kid. Form matters and can mitigate pain .. .the same goes for the right footwear. Many beginners benefit from a walk/run program that starts with a preponderance of walking and transitions to a running program over the course of several weeks. If that course of action is right for you depends on your health, your goals, and your likes.

TriathaletePete

I found this article helpful: http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/running-vs-walking-which-is-better

There seems to be a lot of consensus online that both have their advantages and one doesn't rule the other out.... I'm a runner and as odd as it sounds, I sometimes find it harder to walk then run.

I engage in both, hiking outdoors for the walking, and running when time is of importance.

mamahannick

If you'd really like to build up to running, I highly recommend the Couch 2 5k program and app. After having my daughter and getting back to running I was very out of shape. I went from dying while running 60-second intervals to being able to run (so far--I'm continuing to improve) 40+ minutes at an even pace without stopping. It is very effective.

That's only if you really want to get into running though. Nothing at all wrong with walking! I just enjoy running more.

kellyk1111

I tried running last year and did a couch to 5K over the summer. I finally decided that running just wasn't for me. When I ran, I had a knee that was achy, and I don't get that from any other exercise. I decided that I would do other forms of cardio-rowing machine, elliptical, exercise bike, and walking.

I have built up my walking speed, so it's probably just about as fast as I was running (which was very slow for running!)

I started with a trainer, and she told me it was OK not to be a runner, that at my age, and having had been overweight all of my adult life, it probably wasn't the best exercise for my joints.

I know I could burn more calories with a 30 minute run than with a 30 minute brisk walk, but I'm not going to do that, and I'm OK with it.

PinkyPan1

I walk daily for exercise. I have had spinal fusion surgery twice and it has left me with chronic back pain and neuropathy in my left foot. I am getting ready to go to the park and get at least 4 miles in. I started not being able to walk for 20 minutes straight and have built up to 4-5 miles daily. I also keep my computer on the kitchen counter and walk in place. I log on average 13,000 steps daily. I am eating well and making healthy choices which has left me feeling good. Walking is a great exercise and it keeps you moving.