Can walking make a difference?? Help!

Yes, it can and will.

I started out walking 2 miles, so about 45 mins or so, in June. I'm now hiking 6 miles in forests and varied terrain :P
I went from complete sedentary too. It definitely helped my physically. Plus, it allows me to eat more calories too.... so win-win.

Can walking.. say 30 minutes a day... help at all towards a goal." now If I do that I am not expecting amazing results within 3-6 months... and I know I will have to cut junk food, soda and a majority of my coffee... and cut off my fast food intake entirely... but will this do me any good?

Honestly, people can lose weight without working out at all so 30 minutes to the cause, in my opinion is great.

But why would you need to cut junk food, soda, coffee and fast food? Now if these are foods that you know you can't have moderately, I understand. I no longer buy 12 packs of soda because I will drink the whole thing in one sitting however if someone offers me a cup, I don't often turn it down.

I think that you should learn to eat these foods in moderation to help you gain a better relationship with food. Plus cutting out things sometimes leads to binges, which doesn't help anything...

Yes! After a summer of inactivity, I wanted to start exercising, but I had hurt my foot and there wasn't much I could do. I've been walking for about 50 minutes a day for the last month. I have noticed a difference in my endurance levels, and overall well being. I am also starting to notice some good shape changes more recently. It's a great way to get outside and feel better!

Walking is a great exercise. Most of the weight I lost is through walking/hiking. You can build up the stamina to do other exercises like running later on if you just keep on the walk. Try to do 10k steps per day if you can. Even the little steps you do around the house counts so should not be too difficult.

I started out walking, and at first I could only go 10 minutes at a time. As I kept at it, I was able to walk more and I've even added biking and jogging to my days now. It's really been working for me so far.

Walking is terrific exercise...It is considered cardiovascular, so it IS good for your heart...You'll probably maintain with thirty minutes a day, but sixty minutes SHOULD help you lose...If you are sedentary, doing ANY exercise will help, and you'll feel better, too...


Reaan:happy:

Oh yes, I've lost four stone (56lbs) in three years, mostly through walking. My diet hasn't changed very much at all.

I do 2.5 miles every weekday lunchtime, come rain or shine, and about 15 to 20 miles over the weekend, if I am at home. And go on walking holidays too.

It gets easier and easier the more you do it and 30 minutes a day will help, any exercise is better than none.

FF

Yes. In February, I started out walking a couple miles, works my way up in speed and distance. These days, I jog 3.5 miles 3-4 days a week and jog with some very minimal walking 6.5 miles at least one day on the weekends. I try to do another day on the weekends, but ultimately I listen to my body to tell me if I need to rest.

I suggest picking a route, and then keep doing it, working on speed.

Also, go to a running store and get fit for good shoes (even if your using them for walking.) They will fit you in the right pair for you. Expect to have to do some walking while there. They will want to watch you walk and check your gait and foot strike. They may cost a bit more, but it makes all the difference.

Yes, it's a great start. Once you get accustomed to it, you will be able to up your speed and distance gradually and maybe that walk will turn into a jog or a run or maybe it will just give you enough stamina to consider other forms of exercise.

Anything is better than nothing at all hon.

Same goes for your food....make changes slowly if you feel it's more likely to make you stick to it. Cut portions down a spoonful at a time, change high fat stuff for similar lower fat options...'light' versions or swapping frying for grilling or steaming.

This is how I did things and before I knew it, I actually stopped craving for the high fat stuff. Not all of it. I'd still commit murder for a Big Mac and fries now and then but generally, I have lost the taste for fat.

Perfect example (and I KNOW how much this will gross some people out) I used to absolutely love what I called a 'pig fat curry'. I wasn't even trying to kid myself it was healthy, hence the name. It basically consisted of 1lb of the fattiest belly pork I could find, fried in garlic butter, smothered in curry sauce and plonked on top of about three quarters of a pound of white rice. Add a whole bottle of wine and I was in my element!

A couple of weeks back, I was having a scheduled 'treat meal'. We were away on holiday, had behaved all week and decided on one night out, at a restaurant, with 'no holds barred'. My starter consisted of belly pork and black pudding, cooked French style and served beautifully. Quantity-wise, there was a piece of belly pork about 3 cubic cm's and a slice of black pudding the size of a silver dollar. I cut the pork into two bites, that's how little there was and although that first bite was truly devine and set my mouth literally running, the second bite was a little 'claggy', just a tad too greasy and oily.

So there you go. Have been on this journey for five months, lost 41lbs and have gone from gorging down a pound (!!!!) of fat to barely being able to cope with an ounce (if that!)

Your stamina will change with exercise and your taste will change with food....just take baby steps and they'll soon turn to strides. Good luck xx

Edited: OH MY GOD. Just calorie counted my pig fat curry meal....3,200 calories......more than two days food for me now!!!:embarassed:

Walking is a great way to start an exercise routine. My husband has had great success walking 4 or 5 mornings a week. However, if you're looking for weight loss, changing your diet will have a bigger impact than your physical activity. You don't have to cut things out completely, unless you feel that you need to do so in order to avoid temptation. Just track your food and make sure you're eating a calorie deficit and you'll lose weight.