Should I walk or run for weight loss?

DevWall44
DevWall44 Posts: 25 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I've been walking for a while but my goal has always been to run and the other day I actually ran 2 whole miles! Granted, I was passed by a lady speed walking :laugh: but I still freaking ran it!!! WOO HOO

Anyway, my question is - I am trying to lose weight and I'm wondering if I should speed walk for about an hour or if I should run for 30 minutes . Typically I do one or the other 5 days a week. What do you think?!?! Which would be more effective?

Replies

  • All4Me2014xx
    All4Me2014xx Posts: 155 Member
    Calorie deficit is for weight loss, exercise is for health and fitness.

    And congrats on the running.
  • SonicDeathMonkey80
    SonicDeathMonkey80 Posts: 4,489 Member
    Neither. The correct answer is "calorie deficit."
  • kshadows
    kshadows Posts: 1,315 Member
    What SDM said.

    But running is way more fun, so I'd do that either way.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,956 Member
    Do what you like. Just make sure you're in calorie deficit.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness industry for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • DevWall44
    DevWall44 Posts: 25 Member
    Thank you all for responding! OK, that makes sense. I guess it's safe to assume then that the hour of walking would burn more calories then than 30 minutes of running - right?
  • kshadows
    kshadows Posts: 1,315 Member
    Thank you all for responding! OK, that makes sense. I guess it's safe to assume then that the hour of walking would burn more calories then than 30 minutes of running - right?

    It depends on your exertion (heart rate, etc)
  • DAM5412
    DAM5412 Posts: 660 Member
    I think you should switch back and forth, steadily increasing both your walking and run day times. I think longer walks compared to shorter runs (and I am a new runner, so trust that I am just talking time-wise, because a 2 mile run is kick *kitten* for us newbies), will give you the same calorie burn. But the walk is obviously less jarring then the run.

    I am so impressed by your two mile run, BTW. I did C25K and would never have done a two mile run on my own.
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    Calorie deficit is for weight loss, exercise is for health and fitness.

    And congrats on the running.

    ^^^^ This

    as to the exercise itself...run one day and walk the other (don't forget to cross train too.....swim, bike, weights etc)

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