22lbs down, 78 to go, walking only exercise

masterwilde
masterwilde Posts: 34 Member
in Getting Started
so i thought i would post this discussion, as to prove the power of walking.

Im a 38 year old male from UK, i started my journey at 279 lbs. I have a bad shoulder thats had several surgeries and screwed up muscle/ligaments there, so weights are not ideal for me. a weak back and a dodgy knee means no running or jogging.

I am eating on average around 1750 calories per day over the course of each week. I dont drink alcohol but still drinking diet coke (i know bad)

I am walking around 17000 steps a day in total, but fit in at least 2 twenty minute walks and a bigger 50 minute walk in the evening, utilizing the outside world as my gym.

I guess i am looking for others that are using walking/rambling as their exercise

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Replies

  • slowclydesdale
    slowclydesdale Posts: 9 Member
    A healthy diet + walking will probably get the job done. Just be consistent. Good luck! :)
  • 21ttomlinson
    21ttomlinson Posts: 20 Member
    Well done you, please feel free to add me
  • spngnetwork
    spngnetwork Posts: 41 Member
    Just starting out on a regular walking routine. We have a walking track near my office, so I'm out there at least 3 times a week. I also changed up my eating habits, going on 3 weeks strong and I feel great!
  • masterwilde
    masterwilde Posts: 34 Member
    So to update, yesterday i walked 20187 steps and kept to 1654 calorie intake. Am feeling good, lots more energy.

    today, i have started with a good walk for 35 minutes clocking up over 5000 steps in the pouring rain. Breakfast to be a warm porridge.

    21ttomlinson - have added you

    cherykdumais - 86 pounds WOW congrats

    spngnetwork - walking track sounds good, i have a park outside my house, and a woodland trek about a mile away.
  • slimyslimgym
    slimyslimgym Posts: 16 Member
    Walking is absolutely amazing! When I lived by myself I walked my dog every morning and night, plus often walked to my dad's house (about 4 miles round trip). I wasn't keeping track of my diet but I lost 30lbs in a very short amount of time. I'm slowly getting back into the walking groove with my dog and now daughter.
  • masterwilde
    masterwilde Posts: 34 Member
    slimyslimgym - well done, my dog died 2 years ago unfortunately, but he is with me on every walk.

    Ive done 20200 steps today and had 1500 calories, so im hopeful of the same energy levels tomorrow. Only 3 days to my weigh in, so hopeful of a few more pounds gone
  • Damien_Scott
    Damien_Scott Posts: 108 Member
    My SO an I have lost 120 and 72 lbs each with no exercise beyond the walking we did normally throughout the day. every little bit of increased heart rate helps though. We've kept at it for two years now and are getting ready to start at a gym full time to tone up.

    Keep your calorie intake low and burn when you can, you've got this!
  • bluesmama5000
    bluesmama5000 Posts: 9 Member
    masterwilde wrote: »
    so i thought i would post this discussion, as to prove the power of walking.

    Im a 38 year old male from UK, i started my journey at 279 lbs. I have a bad shoulder thats had several surgeries and screwed up muscle/ligaments there, so weights are not ideal for me. a weak back and a dodgy knee means no running or jogging.

    I am eating on average around 1750 calories per day over the course of each week. I dont drink alcohol but still drinking diet coke (i know bad)

    I am walking around 17000 steps a day in total, but fit in at least 2 twenty minute walks and a bigger 50 minute walk in the evening, utilizing the outside world as my gym.

    I guess i am looking for others that are using walking/rambling as their exercise

  • bluesmama5000
    bluesmama5000 Posts: 9 Member
    I also use walking and lost 16 pounds in a month. Of course, I know it will slow down this month. I can't go in the sun so I walk to dvd's called "away the pounds" by Leslie Sansone indoors. It is cardio and muscle training all in one. Good luck in your journey masterwilde.
  • paulwatts747
    paulwatts747 Posts: 60 Member
    Walking is tremendous, but it's hard to get accurate calorie burn figures. MFP you can't believe. Fitbit you can't believe. So do be careful about eating back the walking calories.
  • divinewandererlane
    divinewandererlane Posts: 8 Member
    I congratulate you on walking so much! That's a lot of steps there and it is difficult to get an accurate calorie burn but don't let that deter you. The fact that you have these issues with your shoulder and knees and yet you still make the effort is very inspirational, keep it up! :smiley:
  • masterwilde
    masterwilde Posts: 34 Member
    paulwatts/divinewander i agree that the calories are wildly inaccurate on mfp. I log only half the walks and reduce the calories down.

    Ive realised the clarity in my mind when out walking, its actually really good so sort out my thoughts on a walk and i love that as i can see that continuing through life.

    So far today one morning walk for 4000 steps prior to work.
  • brittdee88
    brittdee88 Posts: 1,873 Member
    I plan to start a walking routine next week. I have definitely had good results with walking in the past, and now that I am moving from an apartment to a townhouse, I can walk outside around the neighborhood. I'd like to do a daily early morning walk, and that will likely be the only exercise I will be doing in August.
    Feel free to add me, and/or if you create some sort of walkers' accountability thread, I'd be happy to join!
  • bigjonb4116
    bigjonb4116 Posts: 155 Member
    edited July 2017
    well done. walking is great and in the fresh air even better.
    i started with walking at 456lbs and then when i had dropped a couple of stone i bought a second hand cross trainer/eliptical machine , as i was worried about impact on my joints and the cross trainers are very low impact
    but with the cross trainer and the walking , and a calorie defecit it speeded things up.
    i'm 18 months in now and 140lbs lost.
    i find when i walk i don't swing my arms very much, but the cross trainer has the poles so your arms are on the move too! every little hepls. :)
  • masterwilde
    masterwilde Posts: 34 Member
    Brittdee88 - thats a good plan, i get a couple of miles in early morning before work.

    Bigjonb4116 - WOW, congratulations, that is serious work. Im planning on cross training later this year when i fit out what will be the room for my home gym.

    So yesterday i managed 22000 steps, had a lovely 5 mile walk through a woodland and around a lake. Struggled to eat normal calories, so will eat up today to try and cover the shortfall.
  • fitness_journey80
    fitness_journey80 Posts: 6 Member
    Walking is my favourite form of exercise, and I find it very beneficial for mental health, too. Especially when I can get into the countryside. I broke my toe recently (none walking-related incident) but once it has healed I will be aiming to make walking part of my daily routine again. Thanks for reminding me how good it is for me!
  • emcclure013
    emcclure013 Posts: 231 Member
    You sound a lot like me! It's my second time... lost over 40 lbs and put it all back on, so I'm starting this again! I've been going 2 weeks, and I'm already feeling better. I've never been a big fan of the gym... I'm lost as to what to do there, so I focus on walking. It's easy and I enjoy it! Plus it gives me a reason to get out with my dog. Goodness knows he can use the exercise too! :) I try to get out after work for at least half an hour, and on the weekends we go to a lake with a walking trail around it and put in a few miles. Love the fresh air and the views! Wishing you the best of luck!
  • shanesemathis
    shanesemathis Posts: 25 Member
    Fellow Walker here! I love nature walks while listening to Pandora, and that's how I lost 50 lbs about a year and a half ago. I've gained 30 lbs back (ugh) so now I'm back in the saddle for good. I'm mostly in the gym right now because Florida Summers don't make for great walking weather, but will resume walking when the Fall weather kicks in.

    A helpful hint to those who have trouble getting accuracy with calorie counting: I bought a heart rate monitor when I first got serious about losing weight and it was a game changer. It uses my personal info to tell me how many calories I've burned during my workout and more. I have had the polar FT4 for 3 years (old model but proven to be very reliable) so I would suggest investing in one of those, about $60 on Amazon. Hope that helps! Feel free to add me if you'd like :-)
  • masterwilde
    masterwilde Posts: 34 Member
    Hello all, welcome to new people,

    So today ive managed several walks clocked up 22000 steps, just very tired today as didnt sleep well.

    Shanesemathis - well done on the 50lb, calorie counting, i dont input more than two little walks on here and half the calories for it. I have a polar kit here somewhere, i will have to hunt around for it.

    Emcclure013 - its amazing how walking can make you feel so much better after a few days. the lake and trail sound lovely.

    fitness_journ - your welcome, its great for me and yes the mental clearing of crap and clarity on thoughts in refreshing, i also adore the peace and quiet in the countryside.

    im now doing the challenges on my samsung phone for 200000 steps a month, which im on target to do in 10 days, but it will be fun.
  • Nykkismommy21
    Nykkismommy21 Posts: 224 Member
    Hi, I am 38 years old ,and a few years ago was hit by a car as a pedestrian. I messed up my lower back. I also am only using walking for now,but thinking about rejoining the gym next month. Walking has worked for me in the past to keep my weight maintained, but now im also counting calories. Nice to meet everyone.
  • masterwilde
    masterwilde Posts: 34 Member
    Hello Nykkismom, im so sorry to hear about your accident, i hope you are alot better health wise.

    Walking is doing amazing things for me at the minute, my waist line, my shoulder line, my face all thinned down, calf muscle up, obviously with the help of a calorie deficit.
  • WilmaValley
    WilmaValley Posts: 1,092 Member
    What great suggestions everyone, thanks! I love to walk.
  • awildwomanatheart
    awildwomanatheart Posts: 89 Member
    I work out at home and in my neighborhood as well. Partly because I don't feel like driving to the gym and also I can't see paying for it right now. Walking is so awesome and sounds like your off to a great start! If you're interested, I've also found an at home workout that really helps me. I'm a big girl, so jogging is out. If you have Amazon Prime, there are a couple videos on there free by Jenny Ford. She incorporates marching and step aerobics, and they last anywhere from 15-30min. I really enjoy her because she caters to all fitness levels. Good luck with your journey, wishing you all the best!

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