Walking - does it help with weight loss

[missy29]

I am wanting to lose weight as quickly as possible (but as healthily as possible too), and wondering whether walking is a good form of exercise to help me lose weight. Ive recently changed my diet (which used to be terrible), so now i just need to get my butt off the couch and exercise!

I am very unfit due to being extremely lazy

. But I know i need some form of cardio exercise and walking seems to be the easiest thing to do!

Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

 

[medusalox]

YES!
I had packed on about 28 lbs my first year at college, and about 7lbs more the subsequent year. This summer, 35lbs heavier than usual, I got a job as a meter maid...which involves a LOT of walking.

I would do 4 laps a shift, and each lap was about 2 miles. So, I'd walk at least 8 miles in a 4 hour shift...not bad! In the 3 summer months when I started, I lost 22lbs. I didn't change a thing about how I eat (and I eat a lot of junk food), nor did I exercise at all anywhere else. All I did was walk around and write tickets.

I'm down to *under* the weight that I started college with, and I did it just by walking!

So yes, walking is an AWESOME, and really enjoyable way to lose weight...plus, it tones muscles all over your body!

 

[amoona]

I'm not the most healthy eating person or anything and I don't really work out. However when I was in high school I gained a lot of weight my first two years because I was miserable. During the summer after my sophmore year my mom made me get a job and I had to walk to the bus stop and back every single day. The bus stop is about a 10 minute walk from my house. I lost about 15 lbs. without changing my diet.

 

[pumpkincat210]

Yes! the main thing is to keep your heart rate up for 20 minutes-30 minutes. You'll see weight loss in no time!

 

[Shimmer]

Yes! Walking is fantastic exercise.

 

[missy29]

Thanks for that guys!!!

Looks like i need to buy some new sneakers, and get out there and start walking!

If i can drag myself away from the couch....!! Although hearing those success stories, it has inspired me to start!!

 

[Shimmer]

if you have an ipod, listening to audiobooks while walking is fantastic.

 

[missy29]

Looks like i will need to go buy an ipod too! Anything to make the walk more enjoyable.

 

[sexypuma]

and while you are walking, you could listen to music that are fast pace. It will help you keep a certain pace. When I walk to school or work I listen to rock music and without even thinking about it, I walk faster. I believe you are supposed to go at a brisk pace for some portion of walk and then at a normal pace.

 

[Shimmer]

Nike and Ipod have teamed up to make a great tool that helps keep pace/time while running/walking.

I don't know that I'd spend the $$ on that, but having a shuffle (flash drive, won't mess it up with the wiggle and jiggle like one of the big ipods) and some good music or an audiobook is REALLY helpful.

 

[TeaCup]

Get one those lil 5 dollar 'step counters'.

It tracks how many miles youve walked,the calories youve burned,etc. And it just clips onto your belt loop!

 

[Jade]

Walking is great exercise, I walk 5 nights a week for 1 hour with my ipod and have lost a lot of weight. I went down from 156 to 120 in a year. Good Luck

 

[Katja]

Walking is a great for cardio exercise. I do a 1 lap walk before I start running every night. It's good to warm up, but also for cardio. You definitely want to walk at a decent pace though.

There is a guy at my gym that comes in, gets on the treadmill at 2.0 and walks for 5 minutes... no joke. Then he leaves.

That in itself doesn't do much. You really have to be consistent and persistent.

I would start off slow, and then build up your pace as you start getting accustomed to your walks and your body becomes accustomed to them.

Try to vary your walks. Either by adding distance throughout the week OR adding small hills OR by increasing your pace. You could also do intervals. If you see a tree ahead of you, you could do a slow jog to the tree, then go back to walking (fast pace), then find another landmark to start a sprint. It keeps it interesting and fun.

In no time, you might be ready to RUN! :YAY: Super clap!

And cardio comes in all forms.... rollerblading, swimming, running, elliptical, cycling, aerobics, etc. If you add anaerobic exercise in conjunction to your cardio, then more calories are burned.

Good luck in achieving your goal!

 

[Katja]

And please don't judge your achievements solely on the scale. You'll see changes, no matter how small they are, by the way your clothes fit.

 

[DaizyDeath]

Walking is good for your cardio but i enjoy riding my classic bike more around the trails, i know alot of people dont have trails or nature paths in their backyard but if you do you should definitly start using them its very relaxing to see all the butterflys and bunnys running around.

I gain all my weight in my tummy

so i dont do a ton of cardio i mostly do yoga and pilates which is my favorite!

 

[medusalox]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TeaCup Get one those lil 5 dollar 'step counters'. It tracks how many miles youve walked,the calories youve burned,etc. And it just clips onto your belt loop!

I wore one of those during an 8 hr shift at work, and I have never been more proud. It's amazing how many steps you take!

I especially like the calorie counter thing...I was like "Oh, there goes the last calorie from lunch!" Hehe.

 

[TheRitz]

Dancing is the greatest workout ever!....because you dont have to be good at it, you feel great afterwards, its fun, and it gets your heart pumping...just put on some music and let loose =-]....

 

[missy29]

I really appreciate all your suggestions!! Thanks heaps.
I'm going to start going for walks in my lunch breaks (1/2 hour), and hopefully soon I start to see some results!

 

[IslandGirl77]

A co-worker and myself started walking around our building on our break. Instead of heading to the snack machine, we do two laps around our building. It's a fairly large building so it's a good walk. Plus, during the day at home I try to stay active and moving around.

 

[Jinjer]

definitely!!! I love to walk!