Treadmill Walking

Hi Melanie: I've found using the incline on a treadmill a great way to get a run-like intensity while avoiding too much impact. I use a "treadmill workout" that I downloaded from iTunes on my ipod and, for the interval training parts, I crank up the incline and maintain a walk rather than running. I find that at my current fitness level (needing to lose about 50 lbs.), 4.5 mph and a 6% incline is a good challenge for 60 - 90 second intervals. Then I maintain somewhere between 4 mph and 4.5 mph with a 1% incline on the recovery sections of the workout.
I feel like I've had a great workout by the end of 30 mins, and for some reason having someone tell me what to do keeps me on the treadmill for the whole time. (Might be tempted to get off earlier otherwise!) I've been really happy with the results of interval training - it seems like I get good fitness gains quite quickly this way. My experience has been that a good 30-minute interval training session 3-4 times a week works well. Just make sure you're sweating by the end! A heart rate monitor helps to make sure you're getting your heart rate up enough on the intervals. I agree with Hexahedra's comment that at least 30 mins of some exercise 5 days/wk is optimal - so you can add in other kinds of exercise around your interval training.
I do find that I have to remind myself to maintain good form while walking fast on a treadmill - keeping core tight and not bending too much at the hips while on an incline. I can maintain good walking form up to about 4.5 mph and a 6% incline. At higher inclines, I have to drop the speed to maintain form (and vice versa) - worth it to avoid injury. Holding on to the heart rate monitor bar on a treadmill can also mess up your form, so having your own heart rate monitor is a good investment.
Good luck!

It's certainly possible.

I guess I'm just curious as to why you purchased a treadmill simply to walk on it . . .

I'm also curious as to why you wouldn't want to maybe start jogging or something.

I walk on my treadmill because my bike kept slipping off the back.

One of the things I find that helps me use my treadmill more is a TV. We have a TV set up in front of our treadmill. There are times I will jump on thinking that I will do 10 minutes. Then I find a show on and am hooked for the next 30 minutes or an hour. That has really me keep up with using it.

As for how much you should use it to loose weight? I guess enough to keep you net calories in check. For me I find keeping my steps over 10,000 a day helps.

It's certainly possible.

I guess I'm just curious as to why you purchased a treadmill simply to walk on it . . .

I'm also curious as to why you wouldn't want to maybe start jogging or something.

Umm .... maybe she needs to do low impact. There are people with bad joints (arthritis, injury, older or whatever) ... that can't take the physical pounding of running on a treadmill.

I lost a significant amount of weight a few years ago (unintentionally, really) by walking briskly for about an hour a day, minimum. Over the space of a year, I was probably down about 50 pounds. I was also eating smaller meals, snacking less, and drinking less alcohol. Good luck!

Edit: I'll also add that, although I run a bit now, there are loads of reasons that isn't right for everyone. I started running when I moved to a place that I walk less for my transportation and I gained all of my weight back. You can cover the same distance in less time, so it's easier for me to squeeze a run in that a long walk. However, I enjoy walking, so it is a pleasure to do if I have the time, especially in the summer when I get really overheated outside. A combination of both is working great for me, but there's nothing wrong with sticking to your walks!

It's certainly possible.

I guess I'm just curious as to why you purchased a treadmill simply to walk on it . . .

I'm also curious as to why you wouldn't want to maybe start jogging or something.

Umm .... maybe she needs to do low impact. There are people with bad joints (arthritis, injury, older or whatever) ... that can't take the physical pounding of running on a treadmill.

I use a treadmill for this reason, had a serious knee injury in my past and its easier on my knee with a softer even walk then on the street or sidewalk which is uneven and causes even more knee pain.

Hi - I lost over 40 lbs using the treadmill and for me it is all about the incline! Things that helped me:

1. iPad - I have Amazon Prime and can stream movies and TV free
2. Built up my endurance to the higher inclines (my gym has treadmills that go up to 30% incline but I started out only doing 6-9%)
3. Vary my speed and incline (slower speeds with higher inclines) - I might only go 2mph at a 24-30% incline but I still get my heart rate going!
4. I rarely go above 3.5-4 mph or below 12-15% incline now but it took a while to get there
5. If you prefer music over movies/TV, there is nothing better than a great playlist - find a song/songs that really keep you motivated, then you can find out the beats per minute of that song and search for others that are similar to the paces you will be using. (I like to walk to the beat - faster song comes on, I speed up and vice versa).

Good luck!