walking, riddle me this...

thuderousthighss
thuderousthighss Posts: 10 Member
edited November 20 in Fitness and Exercise
I was looking up things about walking as exercise and for the most part the articles were saying it was pointless unless you're walking this fast or this long etc. I've been walking around the neighborhood twice which is about a mile and I'm sweaty and feel it working my muscles and it gets my heart rate up.

So my question is, should I be doing more for it to even be doing anything? (Sorry if this is hard to understand lol just woke up)

For reference, my current weight is 344, I'm 5'3", I've been walking about a mile at a little under 30 minutes.

Replies

  • canarysal
    canarysal Posts: 118 Member
    Any exercise has got to be better than none. Slow and steady wins this particular race. As your fitness improves you'll walk further and faster. Keep going, better than sitting still .....
  • earlnabby
    earlnabby Posts: 8,171 Member
    thuderousthighss wrote: »
    I was looking up things about walking as exercise and for the most part the articles were saying it was pointless unless you're walking this fast or this long etc. I've been walking around the neighborhood twice which is about a mile and I'm sweaty and feel it working my muscles and it gets my heart rate up.

    So my question is, should I be doing more for it to even be doing anything? (Sorry if this is hard to understand lol just woke up)

    For reference, my current weight is 344, I'm 5'3", I've been walking about a mile at a little under 30 minutes.

    Sounds like you have a great start! Any time you are up off the couch and moving, you are burning more calories.

    You are doing this the right way. Do what you can now and build up. When you are feeling that you can, work towards longer distance or faster speed.

    I tell everyone: make sure you have good, supportive shoes and thick, absorbent socks. Your feet, knees, and back will thank you down the road.

    Those articles are bunk (probably aimed for people who are already fit and need to know how to maximize their walking).
  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    TavistockToad wrote: »
    What tosh are you reading that says walking is no good?!

    Any exercise is better than no exercise!

    This, absolutely this.
    And, at a higher weight, walking is quite a strenuous exercise. Keep doing what you're doing, and add more time/distance as you can. Slowly.
  • HeliumIsNoble
    HeliumIsNoble Posts: 1,213 Member
    What everyone else said.

    This is the time to download Pokemon Go, or some audiobooks you're only allowed to listen to while walking, and walk.
  • earlnabby
    earlnabby Posts: 8,171 Member
    HeliumIsNoble wrote: »
    What everyone else said.

    This is the time to download Pokemon Go, or some audiobooks you're only allowed to listen to while walking, and walk.

    I agree that music or audiobooks or a radio station or geocaching/Pokemon Go are all great when walking. Anything that makes it more enjoyable for you.

    I do audiobooks when I swim (waterproof IPod and waterproof earbuds). Personally, I prefer to not listen to anything when walking. I love the sounds of nature and small town living. easier to greet the neighbors and get to know the dogs who get walked on my path.

  • rainbowbow
    rainbowbow Posts: 7,490 Member
    Machka9 wrote: »
    thuderousthighss wrote: »
    I was looking up things about walking as exercise and for the most part the articles were saying it was pointless unless you're walking this fast or this long etc. I've been walking around the neighborhood twice which is about a mile and I'm sweaty and feel it working my muscles and it gets my heart rate up.

    So my question is, should I be doing more for it to even be doing anything? (Sorry if this is hard to understand lol just woke up)

    For reference, my current weight is 344, I'm 5'3", I've been walking about a mile at a little under 30 minutes.

    Keep doing that, and when you're able ... walk further. :)

    Absolutely this.

    Walking doesn't burn that many calories when you're within a healthy BMI range as you burn less calories just existing and you're carrying less. At your current size walking is plenty strenuous! You can imagine how much strapping on a heavy backpack or any resistance increases the calorie expenditure of a simple exercise.

    Keep going, and you can increase your distance over time. :)
  • SonyaCele
    SonyaCele Posts: 2,841 Member
    walking is great exercise, especially at higher body weights. Keep walking. Even just standing can be exercise, so stand instead of sitting whenever possible. Start out slow but keep in mind progression is important too, as you lose weight and get fitter, set yourself a goal to walk in a 5K, and then next goal to run the 5K. you'll be fit and healthy before you know it.
  • earlnabby
    earlnabby Posts: 8,171 Member
    OP, many transition from walking to running but don't feel like this is the way you have to do it. Do what is working for you and what you enjoy. Progression is key . . . keep building up distance and/or speed as you are able to.
  • TeethOfTheHydra
    TeethOfTheHydra Posts: 63 Member
    I think 30 minutes daily is a perfectly fine goal. It keeps your metabolism online and I think that's priority #1. If you're eating well, your body will drop weight as long as you keep the fire burning.
  • lorrpb
    lorrpb Posts: 11,463 Member
    You are doing great! nearly Everyone on here started walking, if they had much to lose. Just keep adding time every few weeks as you are able. 3 years ago I could not walk more than 1/4 mile without excruciating pain & needing a rest and water. Now I can hike all day, run, swim, and do almost anything I want to. Take it one step at a time (no pun intended.)
  • Jdismybug1
    Jdismybug1 Posts: 443 Member
    Walking is excellent for exercising.
  • perkymommy
    perkymommy Posts: 1,642 Member
    Any exercise is better than none! I walk about 20-30 minutes per day. It takes me 20 minutes on average to walk 1 mile so I usually get 1-1.5 miles on my treadmill.
  • canadianlbs
    canadianlbs Posts: 5,199 Member
    thuderousthighss wrote: »
    I'm sweaty and feel it working my muscles and it gets my heart rate up.

    that's all you need to know. when you're reading stuff, it's good to consider the source and who they might be assuming they're talking to. one person's 'nothing' is another persons' perfect workout, for where they're positioned right now.

  • gamerbabe14
    gamerbabe14 Posts: 876 Member
    I've lost all 37lbs just walking 10k steps a day (some days even more).
  • danmason2025
    danmason2025 Posts: 2 Member
    We all must begin somewhere, before we can run a marathon we must take the first step. Build slowly day by day as you grow stronger your muscles will grow and tone up. Then you can ask more of them. Also as you lose weight, you do not want to lose weight too rapidly that can lead to many problems, by slowly increasing day by day your body will better absorb all the excess over time.
  • MeanderingMammal
    MeanderingMammal Posts: 7,866 Member
    thuderousthighss wrote: »
    I was looking up things about walking as exercise and for the most part the articles were saying it was pointless unless you're walking this fast or this long etc.

    Much of the guidance from the medical fraternity is that a minimum of 20 minutes of exercise is needed to generate a beneficial aerobic effect. To sustain that effect then at least 20 minutes three to four times per week.

    Beyond about 45-50 minutes the aerobic benefits start to plateau, so unless you're training for something specific then that's your sweet spot.

    Sounds as if you're fine, but as your fitness improves you'll walk further in that period of time.
  • cenafan
    cenafan Posts: 398 Member
    Pssshhhh! Walking is fabulous. Gets you moving. Before I hurt my back I lost my first 50lbs with just counting calories and walking. You'll be shocked at how fast you build up speed and distance. Get some great music and enjoy!
  • STEVE142142
    STEVE142142 Posts: 867 Member
    Rule number one: to lose the weight you don't have to exercise. It's just a matter of eating less calories than your body consumes and you will lose the weight.

    Now as far as exercise I have a simple philosophy anything is better than nothing. Better to walk 20 minutes then sit for an hour.

    Let me give you hope now. I started my weight-loss Journey January 1st 2016 weight was 288 lbs. I had a double hip replacement a year before that I have an arthritic left knee that needs to be replaced and I have an arthritic left shoulder that needs to be eventually replaced. It took me 8 months to lose 80 lbs and I've been maintaining around the 208 area for approximately 10 + months.

    My weight loss was done primarily with calorie reduction. Yes I did exercise but out of the approximate 80 lb I lost I can maybe a tribute 10 lbs to exercise loss. To put things in perspective to lose one pound per week, you have to lessen your calorie intake buy 3500 calories. You can either do it one or two ways you can reduce your calorie intake by 500 calories a day or you can eat the same amount of food you're currently eating but you probably have to walk 15 - 20 miles per week.

    Personally being blunt no way in hell was I going to walk 15 to 20 miles a week. It's just easier to reduce your calories. what you have to remember this is a long-term Journey you're on and you wanted to be sustainable. You should also be proud of yourself for making the effort to lose the weight. I would also recommend that you keep on exercising because what you're going to find is as you lose the weight you'll do a lot more than you could ever picture yourself doing.

  • DebLaBounty
    DebLaBounty Posts: 1,169 Member
    Walking is great. It helps improve your cardiovascular system, it's an exercise you can do, it decreases stress, it improves stamina for other activities, and for me it was 30 minutes when I wasn't sitting on the couch watching TV and snacking. What's not to like? Congrats on making the time to improve your health!
  • 81Katz
    81Katz Posts: 7,074 Member
    I do A LOT of walking, low end (for me) walks, 6-7ish miles, higher end walks 9-10 miles, 3-4 times a week. I still do a day or two of strength training or if the weather is too hot or rainy I ride my bike inside (on a trainer thingy) But I much prefer the walking to other 'exercise'. I get to get out, see things, find things (I've found A LOT of discarded change/money just lying there on the sidewalk, street, etc. $$$ !!!) I see nature, animals, etc. I also have mental health issues and the long walks just make me feel better, even if just for a bit. A total win for me! Keep at it!
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