Walking is key!

sabrinavollrathbueno
sabrinavollrathbueno Posts: 2
in Health and Weight Loss
When I first started myfitnesspal... I walked three to four times a week for an hour. This was key to my weight loss. I know some people feel they need to kill themselves at the gym, however I found it helpful not to overwhelm myself with exercise that I wouldn't complete. I started gradual and worked myself back up to doing more intense aerobics. Start small and don't put unrealistic goals at the beginning. You will be amazed at how something so simple as walking will make a difference.

Replies

  • bobie1978
    bobie1978 Posts: 204 Member
    I just realized this today too! I am not using it as my only exercise but I am making sure that I am walking to the store and taking a nice walk everyday. When I was my thinnest I walked everyday :)
  • PuggleLover
    PuggleLover Posts: 261 Member
    I lost 45 pounds and all I did was walk - 45 minutes 5 days a week. Well... I changed how I ate but still was around 1800 calories a day. I love walking!
  • taunto
    taunto Posts: 6,420 Member
    You're so kind to share a simple yet amazing tip! I know I was one of the folks who was killing himself in the gym (2500+ calories burned in a day) and then I just CRASHED. Now I'm working towards small workouts which I think I can do for the rest of the life.

    Cheers on your successful weight loss :)
  • him1025
    him1025 Posts: 44
    im guilty of pushing to hard to fast. ive slowed down this week but i dont feel like im losing anything. its hard to resist the temptaion to walk longer and harder.
  • monkeygirl351
    monkeygirl351 Posts: 33
    That's what I'm doing. I started off a little too enthusiastically and started running on the treadmill, cause that is what I did in the past to lose weight. Well long story short, my knees can't take the pounding, so doc said no running. I was sidelined for about two weeks with mild patellar tendonitis. I've started up with fast walking on the treadmill and using incline instead. I'm also taking my dog for 2 mile walks in the afternoon. I'm doing much better and burning a good amount of calories without killing my knees in the end.
  • Cheeta_HH
    Cheeta_HH Posts: 489 Member
    I agree! I started walking nearly every day about one year ago. I didn't change my diet a whole lot until months later, but I still lost 10 pounds in the first few months. When I stopped losing, I stepped it up to running and tracking my calories. Since January, I have lost 10 more pounds. If I wouldn't have started slow with walking, I don't think that I would have been able to build up the endurance. I'm pretty happy with the improvement in my fitness levels that I'm starting to notice.
  • speakingtall
    speakingtall Posts: 5
    I've been pleasantly surprised at how walking has helped so much. I usually go for a walk 3 x a week during my 30 minute lunch break. The boyfriend and I will also try to walk after dinner--helps us unwind for the day and digest food.
  • southernsweetie1978
    southernsweetie1978 Posts: 107 Member
    I have been using Leslie Sansone Four Fast Miles "Walk At Home" programs. I feel like I am getting a major workout and I'm not paying for a gym membership!
  • BriskisGrl
    BriskisGrl Posts: 461
    I lost 15 lbs last summer simply by walking twice a day (total of 6 miles) So Yes, it does work :D
  • kimmydear
    kimmydear Posts: 298 Member
    Thank you for posting your experience! I am hoping it will help me too, since I really can't run until my sciatic nerve and lower back problems resolve (if ever). As a past runner, walking has been really frustrating for me; I don't feel like I'm getting a real workout. So glad to read of your success!
  • Amy_Lynn74
    Amy_Lynn74 Posts: 134 Member
    I'm down 43 pounds since January 7th and my primary forms of exercise are walking and Leslie Sansone dvds. Walking totally works!!:flowerforyou:
  • mj852012
    mj852012 Posts: 1 Member
    When I first started myfitnesspal... I walked three to four times a week for an hour. This was key to my weight loss. I know some people feel they need to kill themselves at the gym, however I found it helpful not to overwhelm myself with exercise that I wouldn't complete. I started gradual and worked myself back up to doing more intense aerobics. Start small and don't put unrealistic goals at the beginning. You will be amazed at how something so simple as walking will make a difference.
  • kkej1
    kkej1 Posts: 5
    I agree.
  • soniams
    soniams Posts: 95 Member
    Count me with those who have been successful in losing weight by walking. I started two years ago and huffed and puffed walking one block and back. Now I walk three miles a day. I have also walked on three half marathons. Walking is great exercise that I know I will continue to do for the remainder of my life.
  • jenniejengin
    jenniejengin Posts: 784 Member
    I lost faster when I use to walk alot, but I was not getting toned like I wanted to.
  • islandgirl1984
    islandgirl1984 Posts: 64 Member
    SO true! I lost a lot of weight after I had my first daughter by simply walking a little every day and watching my diet. Every little bit helps and it's important to set small and realistic goals and work towards a greater goal in the end.
  • HarlCarl
    HarlCarl Posts: 266 Member
    I have to agree 100%. I walked around the track an hour at a time all winter long. I even picked up the pace and started running a too. I think it's called wogging! :laugh:
  • loseweightjames
    loseweightjames Posts: 360 Member
    When I first started myfitnesspal... I walked three to four times a week for an hour. This was key to my weight loss. I know some people feel they need to kill themselves at the gym, however I found it helpful not to overwhelm myself with exercise that I wouldn't complete. I started gradual and worked myself back up to doing more intense aerobics. Start small and don't put unrealistic goals at the beginning. You will be amazed at how something so simple as walking will make a difference.

    really?? welll.... alright, tomorrow i'll spend vampire diaries on the treadmill.....
  • Jellyphant
    Jellyphant Posts: 1,400 Member
    Maybe walking is just what I need to get my weight to drop. I do so much cardio like running, jazzercise and kickboxing and havent seen any weightloss in a long time, even though I still eat right. I'll give this strategy a try! :flowerforyou:
  • Pink_Tina
    Pink_Tina Posts: 164
    Oh, I love this thread! I just joined MFP Sunday, but I've been watching what I eat and walking 4 times a week since April 30th. Lost 4 pounds already just by doing that. And this from a shut-in who never really left the house for the past 9 years. I can do 5 miles a day now. Woooo!
  • Zisaleh
    Zisaleh Posts: 64 Member
    It's a great way to fit in exercise when you are home with kids too! I just strap my two youngest in a stroller and off we go! They enjoy it and I get a good workout. Been doing it for three weeks now and the weight is falling off!
  • MisterDubs303
    MisterDubs303 Posts: 1,216 Member
    Most of the weight I lost was from walking, and walking on the incline treadmill.
  • LaMujerMasBonitaDelMundo
    LaMujerMasBonitaDelMundo Posts: 3,634 Member
    I lost faster when I use to walk alot, but I was not getting toned like I wanted to.

    That's because while cardio burns a lot of calories in a shorter time but it won't tone your body unless you're supplementing it with resistance training. Walking is one example of a cardio exercise & walk/jog is an example of HIIT.

    As for me, aside from my usual exericise, I make it a point to walk more everyday as much as possible since I have a deskjob & it does a great job for keeping my legs conditioned in terms of endurance.
  • casasnovas12
    casasnovas12 Posts: 12
    I work at an airport and between flights I walk and walk....from one end of the terminal to the other...watching the planes take off....and 2 times a week I hit the gym at work...but walking is the key..I started doing this to support my wife and I am glad I did it...and playing golf once a week really helps.(No brews during gameplay lol)
  • bcampbell54
    bcampbell54 Posts: 932 Member
    My wife and I started walking last October, in the neighborhood. Now, 100+ lbs lost between us, as we run down the same roads we breathlessly stumbled down a few months ago, we comment on this very thing.

    It all starts with walking.
  • sabolfitwife
    sabolfitwife Posts: 423 Member
    I walk at least 4 times a week. We go about 3.5 miles and it takes us about an hour and 15 minutes. Not the greatest time, but any movement is good movement!

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