Is walking enough of an exercise?

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Replies

  • PaulaWallaDingDong
    PaulaWallaDingDong Posts: 4,641 Member
    If walking is all you can do, or if it's all you want to do, then walk. Doing more is great, but not if you wind up burned out or in pain and want to quit. As for pace, distance, etc.: Do the best you can within your ability. Personally. I think walking the same distance but gradually increasing your pace is best. That way you can really see your improvement on the clock.
  • RavenLibra
    RavenLibra Posts: 1,737 Member
    IF a person weighs... 400 lbs... walking is awesome exercise... because person is humping a lot of extra weight on person's walk... if person needs to put rocks in person's pocket so a strong breeze don't blow him down the street like a dried leaf... then walking not going to be as much effort... moral of the story... what are your expectations? if you want more exercise add weight.. if you are enjoying a "maintenance" lifestyle ( IE not gaining or losing weight) then carry on...
  • Moxie42
    Moxie42 Posts: 1,400 Member
    pbandz wrote: »
    It's usually a casual stroll. Sometimes I walk on the treadmill and focus more on keeping a good pace and staying focused.. But normally I just carry a book or my phone and read for a few hours while I walk

    That's what I usually do as well, partially because being able to read while walking makes the exercise more enjoyable for me, and partially because lately I've been having a lot of issues with my asthma so I've been avoiding anything that triggers it. Personally, I think any bit of activity is better than nothing. It certainly can't hurt. :)
  • neldabg
    neldabg Posts: 1,452 Member
    edited January 2016
    As others have said, walking is perfectly fine. The calorie burn isn't mega-high, but it's good enough. I began weight loss by simply walking 5 miles a day. Later, I upped the intensity with running, and then workout videos, and now, after doing Insanity and an InsaniT25 hybrid for three months, I'm giving my body a break, and guess what? It's back to walking. :) I also do some yoga/stretching along with the walking. You do what works for you.
  • rosebette
    rosebette Posts: 1,660 Member
    My husband and I just spent a week in Montreal, where we averaged 15,000 steps a day just strolling around the city. Despite eating our way across town, I didn't gain anything, and my hubby, who is sedentary, actually lost weight. I also noticed that unlike Americans, who hibernate in the winter, the Monteralers were all out and about, walking everywhere. Despite the plethora of cafes, pastry shops, and chocolatiers, I didn't see too many overweight people -- in fact, we were among the heavier people there. So, yes, walking is good. If you can read a book while walking, you might want to pick up the pace a bit.
  • OldAssDude
    OldAssDude Posts: 1,436 Member
    BrianSharpe wrote: »
    bcalvanese wrote: »
    BrianSharpe wrote: »
    KareninLux wrote: »
    Used to run but now my knees are junk.

    For the record......running does not damage your knees......

    OP in terms of calorie burn a mile walked is a mile walked (mass over distance) in terms of cardiovascular benefit you will derive a greater benefit from bumping up the intensity a bit and raising your heart rate. Having said that you don't need to train for a marathon or bench press 200lbs to be healthy. Just getting out and being active puts you head and shoulders above the vast majority of the population.

    If you do not develop a good running style you can damage a lot more than just your knees.

    Citation?

    ???
  • lithezebra
    lithezebra Posts: 3,670 Member
    edited January 2016
    You're getting more than enough exercise for basic cardiovascular fitness. If you aren't doing any strength training, adding some would probably benefit you more than doing more cardio.
  • daphne944
    daphne944 Posts: 5 Member
    I walk a lot at different speeds, for example:
    - when trying to catch the bus within the 4 mins I walk quite fast XD
    - When walking the dog, I alternate between fast and slow
    - At work I alternate between walk and jog
    - While going shopping, I walk leisurely
  • OldAssDude
    OldAssDude Posts: 1,436 Member
    edited January 2016
    Here is a walk i did a on 12/24...

    https://flow.polar.com/training/analysis/330241032

    you can see that i was in zone 4 & 5 most of the walk, and if you click on the "more" link (upper right) you will see that my average pace was 4.5 mph. So you can get a very good cardio workout by walking, but you have to push it.

    I have a saying when it comes to power walking...

    "If ya ain't huffin and puffin and sweatin... ya ain't doin it right"
  • Cinnamonhuskies
    Cinnamonhuskies Posts: 78 Member
    I have a Husky, that keeps me walking twice daily regardless of weather. I have 2 mile, 4 mile, and 5 mile routes to switch things up. Also he loves to run so I'll run occasionally with him. Usually I am sweating by the time I get back home....that's how I judge my 'workout'. One of the routes is wooded and not plowed in winter, so right now the only access is snowshoes....I am exhausted by the time I'm done. I also add a Zumba class once a week. I do need more strength work however.
  • FullLifeNeil
    FullLifeNeil Posts: 50 Member
    It totally depends on where you are in your fitness journey and what your goals are. I fully believe that everyone benefits from resistance training but if you are just starting out walking can be great. Just plan to go to more intensity over time.
  • LivingtheLeanDream
    LivingtheLeanDream Posts: 13,342 Member
    Walking of course is great, doesn't matter what speed..although the quicker you walk the more calories you burn.

    When I started my fitness journey in 2012 that was my only exercise, it was only when I got more serious about fitness and seeing my goal reached that I ramped up the workouts. I still walk alot, I also run and I lift. To lose weight its all about CICO - any extra moving we do does help. :smile:
  • tillerstouch
    tillerstouch Posts: 608 Member
    There have been a lot of studies that show walking for 30 minutes (even spread out to 3 10 minute periods) can have great health benefits for you body esp. Heart.

    You might want to try to in cleanse the pace slightly to more like 3-3.5 but I would say yes there are benefits.
  • taralove26
    taralove26 Posts: 4 Member
    Many years ago I lost 30lbs in about 3 months by joining WW and doing no exercise except walking. I was young, single, kid free and jobless back then so I had all the time in the world to spend hours walking 7+ miles per day. Walking can be great exercise if you have the time to commit to it.
  • PepeLPew
    PepeLPew Posts: 92 Member
    I lost around 30 pounds in 6 months couple of years ago. I walked religiously. I was doing around 100 km a week and would go for 3-4hrs at a time. Walked at a 10km/hr rate and on an incline. 3-4 months later I noticed good definition in my legs. It's the simplest and cheapest form of exercise.
  • pbandz
    pbandz Posts: 128 Member
    I've actually decided I'm going to start C25k just to have a app to help me run (I have had continuous shin problems that's part of the reason I don't run) and I've decided on days off from that that I'm going to take half an hour to brisk walk on the treadmill just to make sure I'm at least getting 30 minutes of increased heart rate daily. Thanks for all the comments!!
  • Warchortle
    Warchortle Posts: 2,197 Member
    edited January 2016
    Body "composition" doesn't change with with increasing cardio or cutting calories faster. If all you want to do is lose weight then it's fine. Basically what happens is you become just a smaller version of what you were. If you resistance train you can actually shape your body in a certain way.

    I know from wasting time dieting 90 lbs then realizing I was skinny fat.
  • lseed87
    lseed87 Posts: 1,105 Member
    Great effort!

    Maybe try to jog/run a little bit too or check out certain walking workouts like the couch to 5k ones.

    They also have mapmywalk

    I agree it all comes down to the goals. Also if it makes you feel good then do it. Maybe even visit other areas/terrain if you feel like you need something different
  • robertw486
    robertw486 Posts: 2,401 Member
    pbandz wrote: »
    I've actually decided I'm going to start C25k just to have a app to help me run (I have had continuous shin problems that's part of the reason I don't run) and I've decided on days off from that that I'm going to take half an hour to brisk walk on the treadmill just to make sure I'm at least getting 30 minutes of increased heart rate daily. Thanks for all the comments!!

    @pbandz

    Great attitude. If your shins give you problems just remember that depending on stride, most people equal or exceed running heart rate if walking above 4.5-5 MPH. Walking quick is tough, but easy on the joints and the shins compared to running.
  • Fit4LifeAR
    Fit4LifeAR Posts: 233 Member
    LoL I just want to say that I must be really uncordinated. I don't think I could walk/text or walk/read at the same time. I would fall flat on my face.
  • cookielover_96
    cookielover_96 Posts: 177 Member
    No of course not especially if you're not a senior. We all are capable of higher cardio, so do something that gets your heart rate up!
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