Losing Weight by Walking?

Cathalain

I love to walk. Walking has been my salvation throughout this entire process. It's free to do, it gets me moving, and it's sort of my "me time" where I can just relax, go as slow or as fast as I choose, decompress from the stress of the day, take in the sights around me (or not)... I love it. I started out very slowly and couldn't go far at first - I am currently up to about 4 miles a day or so and am planning to increase it to 5 in increments. I also walk 5ks whenever possible.

I will walk as long as my health permits, which is hopefully for decades!

SunflowerCutie

I like to walk too. It's really good too and it helps.

SuperKnight1

My starting weight was 282 on Jan 1st this year and is now 226, down 56lbs. All was done with calorie reduction logging everything I eat and drink everyday with MyFitnessPal and walking and running. I started walking my dogs in February and could only walk 1/2 mile at a time at first. I slowly worked up to 1 mile, then 2, 3 and eventually 5 miles. I started walking to help with health and to be able to eat more. Each mile you walk (or run) allows you approx. 125 more calories you can consume. Really helped me put some things into perspective such as eating 1 OZ. of my beloved Lays Potato Chips would take walking over a mile to overcome those calories and even then I would get no nutrition form them. So I started counting calories and foods in miles to walk ( walk a mile for an Ultra Beer) and it became allot easier to stay away from snacks that mess up the diet. I decided to do a 5K (3.1 miles) race at the end of March and walked 90 % of it. I have lost all of my 56 lbs. through only walking, some running, and cutting calories. No other training or gym work. I had been on Metformin for diabetes Type 2 for 8 years and felt it would not be long before I had to start taking insulin shots if I did not change something. 3 months ago my doctor ran tests on me and took me off all diabetic medicine and said there is no signs of diabetes at all. Now I have so much more energy everyday and I don't call this a diet but a permanent lifestyle change. YES, I strongly believe in losing weight by walking and plan to continue from now on. A free APP to use getting started that tracks your walking is Mapmyrun. GOOD LUCK!

runner_girl83

I just invested in a fitbit flex. A few years ago I lost 7kg through walking and some interval training, though I found that when I got to my goal weight I stumbled into the "Now that I've reached my goal weight, I can just relax, stop walking so much and eat what I want" frame of mind. Two years on and I gained the 7kg plus some more back and although I'm not classed as overweight, I have a small frame and I carry any and all weight at the front of me.. So, I started walking two months ago (again) and lost 2kg, though the last 2-3 weeks my loss has stalled. I'm still messing around with my fitbit settings and aiming to eat at a bit more of a deficit to see if I can start moving things again. I love walking - I always injure myself when I run, either through my ankles or shins.. So I've decided to give up on the interval training and use walking as my main exercise. I find that the fitbit gives me anywhere between 300-500 calories to eat back each day and I usually leave 100-200 of these (mainly because I am not hungry)... So I'll have to mess with the fitbit settings and see if I can change deficit settings... If anyone has any advice with these settings I'm happy to hear it lol

Christine_72

I've just started walking everyday. According to my fitbit, 22,007 steps or 15.5 km (roughly 9 miles) burns approx 946 calories. So it's a yes from me, walking definitely helps you lose weight

sfkn123

The only work out I did was cardio. I started with an hour per day, increasing it to two hours. Went from 205 lbs to 148 in just a few months. I have not done any running in a few months due to having a busy schedule, but looking to get into weight training next.

cheethnico

I walked off 3 stone after my 2nd child with very little dieting and since January I've walked off 31lb counting calories but walking is my only exercise

Liftng4Lis

You lose weight by a caloric deficit. Why the resurrection of an old post?

Christine_72

Liftng4Lis wrote: »

You lose weight by a caloric deficit. Why the resurrection of an old post?

True. And I didn't even notice the date. Oops

_Terrapin_

I saw the date but figured it is a slow news day.

Sweet_Heresy

I walk more out of necessity than for exercise (car troubles are fun), and usually log around 20-25,000 steps a day. I eat at a deficit and lift 3x a week...honestly I don't even count the walking as exercise.

Sweet_Heresy

I walk more out of necessity than for exercise (car troubles are fun), and usually log around 20-25,000 steps a day. I eat at a deficit and lift 3x a week...honestly I don't even count the walking as exercise.

Christine_72

Ryudori wrote: »

I walk more out of necessity than for exercise (car troubles are fun), and usually log around 20-25,000 steps a day. I eat at a deficit and lift 3x a week...honestly I don't even count the walking as exercise.

I do! Especially if I can burn an extra 1000 calories. ..

Parkercomom

Yes! Walking is great! I started cutting back calories 3 weeks ago, added walking 2 weeks ago, and I am down 12 pounds.

uvi5

quackers82 wrote: »

I do lots of walking, i can get up to 1000 extra calories a day just walking when i do 4 hours of it. I've got different routes i take 1 i know currently uses approximately 273 calories and takes an hour. Do that 4 times a day and you feel it.

Yes! It does add up. I add step aerobics, stationary bike throughout the day. Also had my third beginner lift session, but all this started but just walking and the rest followed. Walking is very therapeutic!

SLLRunner

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Sophiasmomma

I actually use leslie sansone walking dvds. I dont walk much outdoors since I can only workout late at night when my children are asleep I mainly use a 4 mile one about 5 days a week. I have lost 11 lbs since beginning of march and I have 15/16 more to go. I also do use shred and the firm sculpting dvds 2-3 days week as well.These have helped the weight come off and change my shape alot!

PAV8888

Ryudori wrote: »

I walk more out of necessity than for exercise (car troubles are fun), and usually log around 20-25,000 steps a day. I eat at a deficit and lift 3x a week...honestly I don't even count the walking as exercise.

At over 20,000 steps you are more active than MFP's "active" setting : -) So whether you log it as an exercise depends on what activity level you've selected...

Christine_72

PAV8888 wrote: »

Ryudori wrote: »

I walk more out of necessity than for exercise (car troubles are fun), and usually log around 20-25,000 steps a day. I eat at a deficit and lift 3x a week...honestly I don't even count the walking as exercise.

At over 20,000 steps you are more active than MFP's "active" setting : -) So whether you log it as an exercise depends on what activity level you've selected...

I'm averaging that amount of steps too. But I've got mfp set to sedentary. That way I can choose to eat my exercise calories back, Or not.

fish2find

Walking (brisk) and calorie reduction has been very helpful for me. I started Mid December at 295, built up to 2 mile walks and have lost almost 70 pounds. I strive for 15 minute miles.