Walking vs Running

Both are great.

I lost a lot of my weight from walking/hiking. Obviously it takes a longer time to work off the calories but there is nothing like a long walk on a sunny day.

Running will develop the cardiovascular system to a much greater degree than walking. It will also burn more calories per unit of time.

If done properly, running is really not hard on the joints. It will strengthen the muscles and connective tissue and make the joints stronger.

I am not against walking though. I do both every day.

I LOVE to run!!!!! i just started since feb. started out slowly and akwardly on a treadmill. Then one sunny day i decided to jog around an outdoor track by my house. That was good for awhile but got tired of running in circles. Started running on a "bike" trail along a river 1/2 mile from my house and I became a full blown running addict pb so far is 15 miles. But whatever you prefer works as long as you get moving!!!! : D

I'm not a runner, but what I find really helpful is incorporating a little jogging in with my walking. The results have been amazing. The jogging helps up your heart rate and calorie burn, and the changing between walking and running helps keep your body in a constant state of change - change that is good! SO, mostly I walk fast, then add jogging for a little bit, then back to walking, then jogging...

Which is better -
walking or running?

It depends on your goal
What do you want to accomplish?
and how are you defining "better" exactly?

I race walk, I feel better that running. I'm not so out of breath. I walk 2 1/2 to 3 miles during my lunch break, and I feel so much better. I know I wouldn't feel that way if I ran. Plus I have to go back to work, and I am a little sweaty, but not enough to smell bad for everyone else. lol

I do a combination of both (a jog/run/walk routine) when I do go out for one.

I used to run competitively when I was in high school. And ran a lot in the Army too. I thought running/jogging was better than walking back then. But in the last 2 years, I combined the 2 and I get a better workout without killing myself or getting "burned" out from it. I do like 2 minutes running/jogging and then 2 minutes walking (and vice-versa for 60 minutes. Usually 5-6 miles, every other day).

I find it easier on my body, joints, and for my mentality. I find it slims my thighs down much better than just running/jogging without walking. With walking in between, it really does miracles for slimming down my thighs.

Most "studies" I have read say walking, mostly because there's no downtime between sessions. Whereas with running, the harder you push, the more downtime you need to recover. But when you walk, always remember to walk with a purpose.

Very true! Walk briskly and keep swinging your arms. You get a better workout and better, faster results later.

I like both - but then I"m wishy-washy...:laugh:

I like jogging, but I jog very slowly. During the winter when it was super icy and I was too cheap to buy microspikes to continue running outside once the powder was packed down and slippery, I did some brisk walks and was surprised to see that the burn was actually closer to the burn I get from jogging that I would have guessed. Yes I did know I am a slow runner, but the burn was significant enough - so I personally wouldn't discount the benefits of walking, even in terms of the calorie burn.

Time efficiency-wise, yes the running is better. But walking is something I love too b/c it can be 'incidental' exercise. If I didn't have to work, I would walk around all day everyday all the time. Like if I could, I would be a professional pedestrian.

One thing I would impress upon anyone about to start running, don't overdo it in the beginning. Certainly the goal is improvement, but you can't improve if you overdo it and injure yourself early on. The Couch to 5K programs are handy b/c they take the guesswork out of it...