What are your thoughts on walking?

Chieflrg wrote: »

Walking is good for you heart and lungs but don't get it confused with losing weight. Cardio is not necessary to lose weight only eating in a deficit is. Walking can be used as a tool to be able to eat a little more calories a day but I wouldn't count on it to lose weight solely.

Agreed.

Walk everyday. Walk as much as you can. Anytime, anywhere. Walking is among the least injurious movements, as is cycling and swimming.

Love, love, love walking. Walk at a fast pace at least 30 minutes. Do this often and your legs will tone up and you will feel energized. Throw in a 5k of walking (roughly 3.6miles) now and then. Again, fast pace about 12 to 15 minutes per mile. Will get you toned and add to your calorie deficit.

Walking is great. Brisk walking is even better. You are doing your body a favour by doing anything so if you enjoy it, don't worry about it.

I don't want to try to change your mind on anything but I spotted this and have question and comment:

bcruz313 wrote: »

Unfortunately I have gained a few pounds since the last time I worked out consistently so I just feel like walking/jogging is too hard on my knees right now.

Do you have any obvious knee issues? If not, you should not be concerned that extra weight poses a problem. Those knees of yours are carrying the extra weight already.

I started my journey back to fitness last September at 255 pounds, making me basically 100 pounds over my weight when I was a fit, fast, runner. What's more that's 100 pounds and more than a decade older than when I last ran regularly. Since September I'm down 54 pounds and haven't had a single knee issue all the way here. To date I've run 776km since I started. I'm 53.

There's no secret: start slow (I had absolutely zero choice in that, I couldn't do anything but) and don't overdo it.

I'm only pointing this out because a great many people equate running with knee problems they don't currently have but for some reason fear. If your knees are sound you shouldn't fear they'll be a problem... quite the contrary such exercise will benefit most.

Yes, I still like walking but, for me, running gives me the sort of cardio workout that I simply can't get from even super-brisk walking or even all but really intense cycling. I can lose weight without doing either but at the end of the road I want to emerge not just lighter but also far fitter. The bonus: you get to the fitness goal before the ultimate weight objective so I'm already enjoying all those benefits.

bcruz313 wrote: »

mwyvr wrote: »

Do you have any obvious knee issues? If not, you should not be concerned that extra weight poses a problem. Those knees of yours are carrying the extra weight already.

Busted. No, I do not have any obvious knee issues. I just remember in the past having a bit of knee pain when I did my walk/jog intervals and just pushing past it until I lost some of the weight. So...yes, I know I should probably do the same again and it will be fine even though that was some years ago. I guess I am just enjoying walking more right now. I have a love/hate relationship with running. I hate running but I love it when I'm finished.

I would stick with the walking, personally. Losing weight will help with the knee pain, and best do it now before it gets so bad you need surgery!

I had what I thought were bad knees after a knee injury at 22. Twenty years later I started walking and a few months later (after building up to daily 6 mile walks) I started running. Between these two activities my knees are now much stronger and I never have the aches I used to get with changing weather. If you don't do anything though they will only deteriorate further. That's what I never learned until much later. Regular activity on your knees (walking or running) will strengthen not only your muscles, but the bones and tendons as well.

WhatMeRunning wrote: »

I had what I thought were bad knees after a knee injury at 22. Twenty years later I started walking and a few months later (after building up to daily 6 mile walks) I started running. Between these two activities my knees are now much stronger and I never have the aches I used to get with changing weather. If you don't do anything though they will only deteriorate further. That's what I never learned until much later. Regular activity on your knees (walking or running) will strengthen not only your muscles, but the bones and tendons as well.

What he said! @WhatMeRunning 's experience isn't atypical. Use-it-or-lose-it baby!

bcruz313 wrote: »

Busted. No, I do not have any obvious knee issues. I just remember in the past having a bit of knee pain when I did my walk/jog intervals and just pushing past it until I lost some of the weight.

That's great to hear, but not because I'm trying to convince you of anything.

Some knee pain can be as simple to resolve as proper stretching. For example ITB related pain on the outside edge of the knee is a common issue but once a runner is aware of how the Iliotibial Band - a ligament that runs from your knee up into your butt - can be stretched and maintained in a preventative manner, most runners don't ever suffer from ITB issues ever again. I've had ITB pain only once in my life when I was much younger so I knew how to avoid going there again.

Sedentary people becoming active often have to work through some minor but short term creakiness. Been there done that.

You may never grow to love running (but watch out, you already seem to like the post-run high!) and that's perfectly OK of course.

Keep moving forward!

My sister and I walk every morning at a good clip, early morning. It energizes us for the rest of the day and we burn some calories to start the day. This way, too, if we don't get to do anything else on a given day exercise wise at least we did something.

Walking is great I would throw in some fasting cardio any time you can . Walking on an empty stomach can burn up to 20% more fat . Keep up the hard work .

I walk all the time. Love it.