Running or walking - which is best?

antennachick wrote: »

First that was an example, I said do what works for her.
Second I said "I" based on what I know 'I' burn the same amount running or walking...I guess I don't run fast enough to reach your stated amount of twice the calories.

I feel like I'm the same way. Equipment always estimates my calorie burn to be within 100 cals regardless if I walk or run. Naturally I run for the sake of cardio and tend to do walks for the peace and quiet but it was always weird to me.

saintor1 wrote: »

vespiquenn wrote: »

saintor1 wrote: »

Running is much better. Don't be afraid of hurting your knees or hips.... If you have problems like this it is probably because you didn't use them enough at the first place.... using them will reinforce them.

Holy hell, I've seen some bad advice in my years of being here, but this takes the cake.

Well, believe what you want. Some people are just afraid to be afraid.

When I had pain to my elbows, the recommendation from the physician/osteopath was NOT to avoid using them, but to train them *despite the pain*. And quickly to more intense effort.

Same parallel here.

So yes starting moderately and increasing / intensity.

So lets say you have a stress fracture in your leg. Would you continue to "work through the pain"? Good luck to you.

..but see the difference in these stories between OP's situation? A professional was involved. To tell someone to run through pain is horrible and reckless advice.

No it is not, and keep your little moralizing for yourself. There is pain and Pain. Sometimes, it takes courage to go to the next step and it is NOT by being afraid of pain.

vespiquenn wrote: »

So yep, still reckless, no matter how you weakly try to rationalize.

So yep, still zero courage, no matter how you weakly try to rationalize.

Purely for calorie burn, I find walking preferable because I can do it longer, do multiple sessions, do it intermittently for short periods of time, do it randomly around the house, don't need to recover as much...etc. The low impact nature of it and the flexibility makes it ideal for me in terms of calorie burn. I do run too, though. Once you are at a certain fitness level you can create greater burns through running. I can burn in one hour of continuous running (which only happens once a week) what would take me 3 or more hours to burn walking. I also like the impact part of it because it's good for my bones in the long run and the aerobic fitness and mood boost I get from it, and it doesn't hurt that I actually enjoy it.

You mentioned back pain. Are you doing any strength exercises? Back pain can make your muscles compensate in odd ways creating weaknesses and imbalances.

It's your choice, really. You don't have to run if you don't see a value in it for you, personally, or if you believe you wouldn't be able to sustain it. But if you choose to go for it, I strongly suggest adding strength to your routine and slowing your runs way down for starters.

ETA: just read you have structural issues. I would very strongly recommend working with a professional to see if running is something you should be attempting at this point in the first place. It doesn't necessarily mean you will never be allowed to run (although in some cases that's sadly what happens), but you may get a "no" now and a "yes" after a while of certain drills and exercises. If you want something more gradual than C25k you could start with a simple run/walk conditioning plan that starts you with only 5 seconds of running at a time.

http://www.jeffgalloway.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/conditioning-program-word.doc

If running is hurting you. Walk. The best exercise is the one you do and that doesn't hurt you.

Youtube David Goggins, some people can work through pain and achieve greatness. You just got to be smart about the "PAIN", know your body! For me after I broke my body a few times I learned what is just my mind trying to be lazy making excuses and real pain that could lead to a inevitable injury.

It's been said enough, but bears repeating.

If it hurts... Slow down or stop... If it keeps hurting see a doctor.

The running(hip stretches above) are great.