Does walking in heels burn more calories?

jjasmelon
jjasmelon Posts: 101
edited November 10 in Health and Weight Loss
Not sure if this is a stupid question to ask but was wondering, I have a pair of 3 inch heeled boots & do have to walk around quite a lot on week days, some places quite hilly - was wondering if the type of shoe effects the amount of calories burnt?
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Replies

  • yasmine334
    yasmine334 Posts: 187 Member
    burning calories depends on two things: intensity of exercise and time period. If your body exerts more effort to support your heels-walking, then may be this is the case. just remember how your muscles will suffer from the high heels-exercise.
  • jjasmelon
    jjasmelon Posts: 101
    oh, interesting! will bare that in mind
  • S0vi
    S0vi Posts: 29 Member
    Yes, if you run in them.
  • Liftng4Lis
    Liftng4Lis Posts: 15,151 Member
    For me, that would be only mentally, as I would have to concentrate on not falling off.
  • AllOutof_Bubblegum
    AllOutof_Bubblegum Posts: 3,646 Member
    If it does, it's only a very small, negligible amount that wouldn't be worth logging.
  • MoiAussi93
    MoiAussi93 Posts: 1,948 Member
    Not sure, but I strongly doubt it. At least to any degree that would actually make a difference. I wear high heels very often and have never noticed a difference in exertion level between them and flats.
  • lmr0528
    lmr0528 Posts: 427 Member
    Liftng4Lis wrote: »
    For me, that would be only mentally, as I would have to concentrate on not falling off.

    Same here!! I hate heels. I pretty much live in sneakers or flats. If I have to wear heels, it's a big deal for me to not trip and fall.

  • TimothyFish
    TimothyFish Posts: 4,925 Member
    Yes, but it is probably about the same as the difference between eating while standing and eating while sitting. Personally, I think you're better off not sweating the small stuff and look more at exercise.
  • Aemely
    Aemely Posts: 694 Member
    I would think it would work out different muscle groups, but it wouldn't burn more calories. That being said, "Ouch!" I'm glad I don't have to wear 3" heels. :neutral_face:
  • trogalicious
    trogalicious Posts: 4,584 Member
    IXUO5zJ.gif
  • Liftng4Lis
    Liftng4Lis Posts: 15,151 Member
    TimothyFish wrote: »
    Yes, but it is probably about the same as the difference between eating while standing and eating while sitting. Personally, I think you're better off not sweating the small stuff and look more at exercise.

    Ya? So you walk around in heels?
  • myheartsabattleground
    myheartsabattleground Posts: 2,040 Member
    Liftng4Lis wrote: »
    For me, that would be only mentally, as I would have to concentrate on not falling off.

    Or your ankles giving out, thus falling on pavement !
  • kenmiller75
    kenmiller75 Posts: 89 Member
    I say go for 5 in heels. It will give you calves a hell of a workout.
  • ILiftHeavyAcrylics
    ILiftHeavyAcrylics Posts: 27,732 Member
    I'll stick this in the same category as "burning more calories taking cold showers" . . . even if it's true, it's not worth it to me.

    I suspect though, like the showers thing, that it's not enough calories to matter.
  • callsitlikeiseeit
    callsitlikeiseeit Posts: 8,626 Member
    trogalicious wrote: »
    IXUO5zJ.gif

    (1) that is the funniest thing ive seen all day and
    (2) the difference would be negligible and they do horrible HORRIBLE damage to your feet. stick to the sneakers for exercise ;)

  • randomtai
    randomtai Posts: 9,003 Member
    Liftng4Lis wrote: »
    TimothyFish wrote: »
    Yes, but it is probably about the same as the difference between eating while standing and eating while sitting. Personally, I think you're better off not sweating the small stuff and look more at exercise.

    Ya? So you walk around in heels?

    2rzf8s5.gif
  • tigersword
    tigersword Posts: 8,059 Member
    :huh:
  • Eleanorjanethinner
    Eleanorjanethinner Posts: 563 Member
    I have a feeling (untested) that MFP massively overstates the amount of calories we burn when walking. I find that unless I am regularly under my calorie goal for the day (including exercise calories) that I just don't lose weight.

    So basically my suggestion is to log your walking according to your speed but don't eat all of the walking calories.
  • Debbjones
    Debbjones Posts: 278 Member
    callsitlikeiseeit wrote: »
    trogalicious wrote: »
    IXUO5zJ.gif

    (1) that is the funniest thing ive seen all day and
    (2) the difference would be negligible and they do horrible HORRIBLE damage to your feet. stick to the sneakers for exercise ;)

    Totally agree! Statistics I believe have proven that walking in heals for long period of time will do damage...

    And yes, that gif is the funniest thing I've seen today!
  • Lasmartchika
    Lasmartchika Posts: 3,440 Member
    TimothyFish wrote: »
    Yes, but it is probably about the same as the difference between eating while standing and eating while sitting. Personally, I think you're better off not sweating the small stuff and look more at exercise.

    Do tell... expert walking in heels, huh?

    200_s.gif
  • jjasmelon
    jjasmelon Posts: 101
    trogalicious wrote: »
    IXUO5zJ.gif
    Lol'd
  • Wheelhouse15
    Wheelhouse15 Posts: 5,575 Member
    Perhaps but the idea is not to major in minors and just log it normally.
  • Kalikel
    Kalikel Posts: 9,603 Member
    edited January 2015
    Great question!

    Although I wouldn't log "high heels, 9 calories", my guess is that you do. Makes sense - they use different muscles in a way the muscles weren't really designed to work. Other muscles get used to keep balance. They hurt. Pain means something is wrong and there is work being done to fix it.

    When I complained to the podiatrist about my bunions from the years when I wore them, the podiatrist said, "You ladies do that to yourselves!" He said when he began his work, he tried to talk women out of them, but quit because it's fruitless. "My wife still wears them." His wife. The one woman in the world who loves and trusts him...doesn't listen.

    He's right. We do it to ourselves. Give those things up now or pay the price later. :)
  • ILiftHeavyAcrylics
    ILiftHeavyAcrylics Posts: 27,732 Member
    Eleanorjanethinner wrote: »
    I have a feeling (untested) that MFP massively overstates the amount of calories we burn when walking. I find that unless I am regularly under my calorie goal for the day (including exercise calories) that I just don't lose weight.

    So basically my suggestion is to log your walking according to your speed but don't eat all of the walking calories.

    Idk, I logged and ate back every single walking calorie when I was losing weight, and I eat them back in maintenance as well. Always seemed pretty spot on to me.
  • zoeysasha37
    zoeysasha37 Posts: 7,088 Member
    Wouldn't burn enough more to even be worth mentioning. Don't worry about the little stuff like that, it's not even worth your thought
  • TimothyFish
    TimothyFish Posts: 4,925 Member
    Liftng4Lis wrote: »
    TimothyFish wrote: »
    Yes, but it is probably about the same as the difference between eating while standing and eating while sitting. Personally, I think you're better off not sweating the small stuff and look more at exercise.

    Ya? So you walk around in heels?
    I live in Texas. Of course I do.
  • Adc7225
    Adc7225 Posts: 1,318 Member
    Back in the day when I wore heels and was out and about my trainer at the time did suggest that I should keep a steady pace and walk around people - sort of like an obstacle course. I can say that it definitely tightened up my core. If it's something that you normally do, keep doing it but don't start doing it for fitness sake, high heels are not worth it in the long run.
  • obscuremusicreference
    obscuremusicreference Posts: 1,320 Member
    I suspect I burn more calories in flats/sneakers because I'm a faster walker in those. Especially when I get above 3". I'm also willing to move more in the afternoon vs. heels.
  • FredDoyle
    FredDoyle Posts: 2,272 Member
    TimothyFish wrote: »
    Liftng4Lis wrote: »
    TimothyFish wrote: »
    Yes, but it is probably about the same as the difference between eating while standing and eating while sitting. Personally, I think you're better off not sweating the small stuff and look more at exercise.

    Ya? So you walk around in heels?
    I live in Texas. Of course I do.
    So you're a 70s man in platform boots then? Such anachronistic style. ;)
  • FatFreeFrolicking
    FatFreeFrolicking Posts: 4,252 Member
    It gives your calves a nice workout.
This discussion has been closed.

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