Does walking count as exercise?!? Ideas to burn more calories!!
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RunRutheeRun wrote: »^^^ seriously like someone would really do that!
Its better to bring your comments out of the quotes. To answer your question. YES!!! LOTS OF PEOPLE DO THIS. I was even with some people who did it at a spartan sprint.
https://youtu.be/srh8mlfdpdg
https://youtu.be/qwNWafXk-s4
https://youtu.be/i-Je_EPDpwI
https://youtu.be/KO-FMKiJAK80 -
Prancercise. WOW. Okay, just my theory, that woman is HIGH off her tookus.
I'm gonna stick with weights and cardio. But yes, walking is exercise, by all means do it. If you're going to be prancing you probably want to take along a bodyguard or at least a can of mace. :P lol0 -
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Yes. I suppose its pretty hard work: And not to open a can of worms but I smoke so It can get pretty uncomfortable. I just find my self making excuses to not ever do it, and I feel like when I do exercise I look ridiculous. I shouldnt care eh.
I just quit smoking in December 2014....if you looked at my exercise diary you would see lots of walking and weight lifting before I quit...you would be surprised at how efficient you can get with your breathing from just walking...now that I am vaping game on.
and no you shouldn't care...get out there and do it...esp if you actually like what you are doing
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Walking I believe and think I have read that it is the most popular exercise there is.
http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/jun/05/best-foot-forward-why-walking-good-for-you
And yes running does burn more calories than running minute by minute but many either physically cannot run nor can they run a longer distance for the increase in calorie burn. Easier for some one to walk 60 minutes vs run for 30.
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Have you guys seen the Prancecise video where she's out in a field with horses and some dude who escaped from a bad 1982 workout video? If i recall hes wearing zebra print spandex Lol0
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"Now that Prancercise is in fashion, why not explore your passion?"
https://youtu.be/cIXIZ_8aGM8?t=15s
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It's not great exercise. It's good and certainly worth doing, but be wary whenever someone says that it's "great exercise." As others have said, it will certainly help burn some calories, but it won't provide a lot of cardiovascular benefit.
Don't get me wrong. I would never discourage you from adding some walking to your program. It can be helpful for crosstraining or for days when your legs are too sore from previous workouts. And of course, it can be enjoyable in other respects. Just don't expect it to work wonders.
Personally, I advise people to think of walking, dancing, housework, etc as "activity" and to think of more vigorous work as "exercise." Obviously, there is a blurry line between the two. However, thinking in that manner has helped me focus on pushing myself more while maintaining an otherwise active lifestyle.
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Yes its exercise and if you want to maximise your walk ...Use ankle weights or wrist weights...and walk briskly. Have you ever tried rollar blading you might like it if you love walking.
Ugh - No! Ankle and wrist weight are a terrible idea. If you really want a weighted walking workout look into a weighted vest. The weight should be evenly distributed as not to put strain on the joints.
Walking can be cardiovascular exercise. You need to push the pace to bring your heart rate up.....that's exercise.0 -
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lizholloway1003 wrote: »Yes. I suppose its pretty hard work: And not to open a can of worms but I smoke so It can get pretty uncomfortable. I just find my self making excuses to not ever do it, and I feel like when I do exercise I look ridiculous. I shouldnt care eh.
I like using exercise videos. My favorite are from Leslie Sansone. She has miles for different skill levels. Plus I find her general attitude funny and motivating. I don't like working out in front of people either. About 2 years ago, I lost nearly 40 pounds this way. I also smoked at the time.
There are a few videos on YouTube if you want to try it out.
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If you don't have one of those step counter gadgets you could pick someplace you're comfortable walking to and get the exact mileage from Google maps. Write down your time to that place. Get the exact mileage to someplace else. Walk there and write down that place and distance. Pretty soon you'll have a list of places to walk to.
My list includes 2 barber shops, 2 hardware stores, 2 department stores, 2 produce stands, 3 supermarkets, 3 ethnic food stores, an ice cream shop, great taco truck, beer store, etc. etc. You get a little bonus exercise carrying home your purchases and I figure that bonus makes up for an occasional paleta (popsicle) from my favorite paleteria (Mexican ice cream shop).
I smoked almost 40 yrs. Quit 12 years ago after COPD diagnosis. Everybody quits eventually. Cemetery residents don't smoke after all.0 -
You can do hills, intervals, fartlek just like running but walking instead. I can't run due to a hip/lower back issue (yes, I'm seeing a professional who got me back on my feet again and this is part of my rehab). Today, I did a 41.50 mins walk (8.50 mins/km, total of 4.85k) I use RunKeeper with a 5 mins warm up and then 20 secs fast pace and 10 secs 'slower' pace (a tad slower but certainly not at a stroll pace) at 145 bmp (I used a Motion Traxx podcast for bpm and music) and my Polar HR calculated that I burn around 421 calories. After I hit the ground with Runtastic sit-ups, Runtastic push-ups and Runtastic six pack and a 1 minutes plank. I would say that after loosing 14 lbs so far, yeah walking does count as exercises! The best thing is, I could careless what people think when they see me. I'm not doing this for them, I'm doing this for me! So put your sneakers on and go for it! What do you have to loose beside getting fitter, stronger and healthier?0
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It's not great exercise. It's good and certainly worth doing, but be wary whenever someone says that it's "great exercise." As others have said, it will certainly help burn some calories, but it won't provide a lot of cardiovascular benefit.
Don't get me wrong. I would never discourage you from adding some walking to your program. It can be helpful for crosstraining or for days when your legs are too sore from previous workouts. And of course, it can be enjoyable in other respects. Just don't expect it to work wonders.
Personally, I advise people to think of walking, dancing, housework, etc as "activity" and to think of more vigorous work as "exercise." Obviously, there is a blurry line between the two. However, thinking in that manner has helped me focus on pushing myself more while maintaining an otherwise active lifestyle.
You are obviously expressing your opinion based on your health level, age, and fitness. You should not make such cast in stone declarations for others. My wife is older, has asthma, COPD, and would love to walk. For her it definitely would be "great" exercise because about one block is all she can do.
The fact is, walking is a great exercise for most people. It is very beneficial to the cardiovascular system and has a low risk of injury.0 -
yes - an hour (3miles) a day at 3-4 mile pace is what helped me lose my first 66lbs.0
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Get a heart rate monitor with a chest strap. Preferable one that connects with map my run. Find what your heart rate range is. Walking will get you there unless you're an NBA player. I used to take really long walks too. I walked to work and home from work. In the evening I would go for a run then go walking for a llloooonnngggg time and track with with the app. You'll see what walking really does0
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beemerphile1 wrote: »It's not great exercise. It's good and certainly worth doing, but be wary whenever someone says that it's "great exercise." As others have said, it will certainly help burn some calories, but it won't provide a lot of cardiovascular benefit.
Don't get me wrong. I would never discourage you from adding some walking to your program. It can be helpful for crosstraining or for days when your legs are too sore from previous workouts. And of course, it can be enjoyable in other respects. Just don't expect it to work wonders.
Personally, I advise people to think of walking, dancing, housework, etc as "activity" and to think of more vigorous work as "exercise." Obviously, there is a blurry line between the two. However, thinking in that manner has helped me focus on pushing myself more while maintaining an otherwise active lifestyle.
You are obviously expressing your opinion based on your health level, age, and fitness. You should not make such cast in stone declarations for others. My wife is older, has asthma, COPD, and would love to walk. For her it definitely would be "great" exercise because about one block is all she can do.
Sigh. Most peope understand that there are going to be exceptions. A very elderly person might not be able to run, for example. Nor would someone with serious joint problems or osteoporosis. I certainly wouldn't expect those people do to vigorous exercise.
For the vast majority of people though -- that is, as a general rule -- walking is exercise, but not great exercise. For people with serious health problems, it might admittedly be their best option. Even in such situations though, I wouldn't say that walking is great. Rather, it may simply be one of the better options available. I think most people can understand that distinction.The fact is, walking is a great exercise for most people. It is very beneficial to the cardiovascular system and has a low risk of injury.0 -
beemerphile1 wrote: »It's not great exercise. It's good and certainly worth doing, but be wary whenever someone says that it's "great exercise." As others have said, it will certainly help burn some calories, but it won't provide a lot of cardiovascular benefit.
Don't get me wrong. I would never discourage you from adding some walking to your program. It can be helpful for crosstraining or for days when your legs are too sore from previous workouts. And of course, it can be enjoyable in other respects. Just don't expect it to work wonders.
Personally, I advise people to think of walking, dancing, housework, etc as "activity" and to think of more vigorous work as "exercise." Obviously, there is a blurry line between the two. However, thinking in that manner has helped me focus on pushing myself more while maintaining an otherwise active lifestyle.
You are obviously expressing your opinion based on your health level, age, and fitness. You should not make such cast in stone declarations for others. My wife is older, has asthma, COPD, and would love to walk. For her it definitely would be "great" exercise because about one block is all she can do.
Sigh. Most peope understand that there are going to be exceptions. A very elderly person might not be able to run, for example. Nor would someone with serious joint problems or osteoporosis. I certainly wouldn't expect those people do to vigorous exercise.
For the vast majority of people though -- that is, as a general rule -- walking is exercise, but not great exercise. For people with serious health problems, it might admittedly be their best option. Even in such situations though, I wouldn't say that walking is great. Rather, it may simply be one of the better options available. I think most people can understand that distinction.The fact is, walking is a great exercise for most people. It is very beneficial to the cardiovascular system and has a low risk of injury.
Totally agree with you. I like walking but find that the calorie burn for a two mile brisk walk is so small that a candy bar after will more than nullify the 2 mile walk. I walk with a 40 pound weight vest for additional leg workout.0 -
You're my kind of guy.
BTW, I should emphasize that I used to do a lot of walking in my early days of getting in shape. It absolutely helped, and I do still incorporate some walking nowadays. At the time though, I was too naive to realize just how modest its benefits were in comparison to more demanding forms of exercise. I wish I had learned that lesson a lot sooner.
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All I do is walk (pushing a stroller, which MPF clearly has no clue about.). It's wonderful for people who are NOT fit gymrats. Great way to start. Also, it's lowered my resting heart rate from ~90 beats a minute to 60. So there's plenty of cardiovascular payoff. I have spine injuries that prevent me from "enhancing" my walk, so I can't speak to that.
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Yes. I suppose its pretty hard work: And not to open a can of worms but I smoke so It can get pretty uncomfortable. I just find my self making excuses to not ever do it, and I feel like when I do exercise I look ridiculous. I shouldnt care eh.
Yeah, don't worry about looking ridiculous, come on, it's your health.
That said of course walking's good.
My question: why is exercise uncomfortable? Does that happen when you go over a certain heart rate and have to breathe deeply? Does it feel like your chest is being squeezed, or do you wheeze? Not trying to give you a hard time, but it might be worth getting that checked out. An inhaler might help.0 -
Walking is a great exercise gradually start upping your speed even if just for 30 seconds to a minute every couple minutes. Good Luck0
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beemerphile1 wrote: »It's not great exercise. It's good and certainly worth doing, but be wary whenever someone says that it's "great exercise." As others have said, it will certainly help burn some calories, but it won't provide a lot of cardiovascular benefit.
Don't get me wrong. I would never discourage you from adding some walking to your program. It can be helpful for crosstraining or for days when your legs are too sore from previous workouts. And of course, it can be enjoyable in other respects. Just don't expect it to work wonders.
Personally, I advise people to think of walking, dancing, housework, etc as "activity" and to think of more vigorous work as "exercise." Obviously, there is a blurry line between the two. However, thinking in that manner has helped me focus on pushing myself more while maintaining an otherwise active lifestyle.
You are obviously expressing your opinion based on your health level, age, and fitness. You should not make such cast in stone declarations for others. My wife is older, has asthma, COPD, and would love to walk. For her it definitely would be "great" exercise because about one block is all she can do.
Sigh. Most peope understand that there are going to be exceptions. A very elderly person might not be able to run, for example. Nor would someone with serious joint problems or osteoporosis. I certainly wouldn't expect those people do to vigorous exercise.
For the vast majority of people though -- that is, as a general rule -- walking is exercise, but not great exercise. For people with serious health problems, it might admittedly be their best option. Even in such situations though, I wouldn't say that walking is great. Rather, it may simply be one of the better options available. I think most people can understand that distinction.The fact is, walking is a great exercise for most people. It is very beneficial to the cardiovascular system and has a low risk of injury.
The key is to increase challenge. You can make things harder by walking faster, or up hills, or by going for longer periods, or mixing all that up in various ways.
But it's a super safe activity for most and it's the kind of thing people can easily weave into their days.0 -
All I do is walk (pushing a stroller, which MPF clearly has no clue about.). It's wonderful for people who are NOT fit gymrats. Great way to start. Also, it's lowered my resting heart rate from ~90 beats a minute to 60. So there's plenty of cardiovascular payoff. I have spine injuries that prevent me from "enhancing" my walk, so I can't speak to that.
I trained for a marathon pushing the kids in a stroller. Lots and lots of stroller time.
But walking with a stroller is good exercise too. Or just walking.
Is running, or weight, or high intensity interval training (HIIT) more optimum? Sure for people who can handle the high impact or don't hate it so much that they avoid it. I think the original poster should not let the perfect solution (stuff listed above) be the obstacle to a good solution. If she enjoys walking, and can stick with it - keep it up! You will improve your metabolism and like the poster above improve your health.
I would suggest a tracker (I love my new Fitbit Surge) to help motivate you, you'll see how many steps you took or if you're using the GPS function how far you went and try and do better. Also suggested were the poles for Nordic walking, a great total body workout. In addition consider using some hiking trails to add some beauty and interest to your walks when able.
Keep up the good work!
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mralexjones wrote: »Wear weighted vest and go hiking.
I'd rather go with a backpack on a long hike.
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I think walking is a fine exercise. I've been doing roughly 15kms everyday.
As for losing weight with just walking. .. My husband worked away for 2mths. Part of his job entailed walking up and down a flat jetty every day. Nothing else changed food wise etc etc
Anyway long story short. When he came back everyone thought he was ill as he had lost so much weight.
So YES!!! Walking does help you lose weight0 -
Yes. It counts as exercise. I second using a tracking app like MapMyWalk, but don't put too much faith in what it is telling you as far as calories burned. Just try to make your walk as intense as possible, this means adding elevation/hills and/or increasing your speed.0
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beemerphile1 wrote: »Walking is excellent exercise. For maximum benefit walk faster and/or longer.Of_Monsters_and_Meat wrote: »I think I can speak to some authority to this. Prancercise is a workout specifically developed for this issue. Watch below.
https://youtu.be/o-50GjySwew
If I did that I am sure I would be mugged and beaten to a pulp!
You can do the same thing in your house in front of a television and not get mugged and beaten to a pulp, hah!0
This discussion has been closed.
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