Walking to lose weight?

KimberlyAndrews1
KimberlyAndrews1 Posts: 87 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Does anyone here walk to lose weight. I've always heard it's great for losing weight. I plan to try to ease back into running some, but just walking for now. I'm coming off an ankle stress fracture injury last fall due to a Couch to 5K running program I was in. I had to quit 8 weeks into it. I was doing so well and had lost about 8 pounds. I have since gained those 7 pounds back plus 8 more pounds. I don't belong to any gyms, so no ellipticals or anything like that...I don't like them anyway. I do enjoy walking or running though. Trying to also slowly improve my eating habits. Just trying not to get overwhelmed by it all because I usually do and quit.

Replies

  • HollisGrant
    HollisGrant Posts: 2,022 Member
    Sorry to hear about your injury. I'm walking to lose weight... plus starting the C25K program as well (I just finished the first week). Walking is my main exercise. I'm leaving my car at home, walking to work and wherever else I can, plus hiking in the national park near my house. I joined MFP in April, log in every day, and welcome new friends.
  • moreORless50
    moreORless50 Posts: 261 Member
    walking is a great way to loose weight, i walk every day usally 3 miles i walk for an hr at 3 mph , i dont include walking to the shops and such this is a set 3 mile walk along the river i try to do every day
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    Use your diet to lose weight. The most efficient way to create a calorie deficit for weight loss is by creating it in the diet (this is what MFP does). Diet for weight control, exercise for fitness. Trying to create a calorie deficit large enough for effective weight loss is extremely difficult and usually results in people beating up their bodies to do it.

    That said, most of my cardio is walking due to I lift and go hard in the weight room, so anything much more intense than walking ruins my recover. I do run twice a week to up my cardiovascular endurance. Walking is a very heart healthy activity...everyone should be doing at least that 30-45 minutes daily.
  • Garlicmash
    Garlicmash Posts: 208
    I've been walking and gardening and lost 10lbs so far.
    I've also just installed map my walk it's really good just don't accidently press the pause button when putting in you're pocket like i did today.
  • RavenWolf1977
    RavenWolf1977 Posts: 39 Member
    My main exercise is walking but I also run thanks to doing the Zombies Run 5K Training program. I'm so sorry you got a stress fracture! I have really been concerned about getting one and have been fortunate not to.

    I also do the squat challenge, plank challenge, and just started 30 Day Shred. I also have a pair of dumbbells I workout with. So there really are many possibilities that do not include a gym. :)

    I have to agree that your diet is going to be paramount in your weight loss. You can't out exercise bad eating habits, is what I'm always reading here! Not sure how your eating is going, but just keep that in mind. I'm sure you already know all that though!

    I've also read that brisk walking has similar cardio benefits to running. So do not feel pressured that you have to run to reap any type of benefits in the cardio area.

    My main suggestion about walking is to vary where you walk. Doing this will keep you from getting bored and changes in terrain will help keep your muscles guessing! (I wish I was close enough to a beach to do some shore walking!)

    Good luck and feel free to add me as an MFP friend!
  • Alison12121
    Alison12121 Posts: 198 Member
    I'm walking to lose weight too because I have to be careful with my knees. Since I started MFP, I made the commitment to walk about 4 miles with my dog, and I do that no matter what the weather is like. Before, I would take him for short 20 minute walks, and now I walk with him for at least an hour. He is usually a great walking partner unless there is a squirrel or a rabbit around. :smile: (I also do some DVDs at home too with the low impact modifications).
  • varahoidja
    varahoidja Posts: 1
    I love to walk too. I do it daily - appr. 5-6 kilometers each day (~3 miles or a bit more). We have had a nasty spring - literally, cold and moody - and thus I started with my walkings only at the end of April. I have lost 1 kg (about 2 pounds) since. I started to enjoy walking more since I discovered Endomondo - the app for mobile phone (http://www.endomondo.com/).


    Good luck to everybody! :smile:
    (Greetings from Estonia, Europe)
  • brower47
    brower47 Posts: 16,356 Member
    From 198 lbs to 170, I almost exclusively walked and lost weight. I've since added weight training (kettle bells and body weight exercises). Just recently I started jogging again small amounts at a time because I'm trying to get back into running as well. That being said, I was always in a calorie deficit when I lost weight in addition to any exercise I've done.

    So yes, you can walk and lose weight granted you keep to your calorie goals.

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