Walking for weight loss

[Anonymous]

Anybody here had success using walking as a main component for weight loss? Not prancercising or power walking, just plain old walking at a decent clip, 3-5 miles a day?

I am so sick of the gym and the cardio machines there. I can't run due to a herniated cervical disc and a foot problem. Walking feels great, though. I'm thinking that if I start walking between 3 and 5 miles per day-- closer to 5 miles most days-- and continue lifting at the gym 2-3 times a week, I should see some better results than exercising on the elliptical machine for 45 minutes.

I'm a 42 y.o. woman, just need to lose 15 pounds.

[Anonymous]

ehhh its not really a calorie burner. In my experience (fitness instructor and personal trainer) walking only helps the morbidly obese loose weight. Its great for your mind, your heart, your overall health, but not for weight loss.

[Anonymous]

I think it will help some. Combine that with a healthy diet as food intake is important to losing weight. GL. Let us know how it goes.

[Anonymous]

Look into "Walk Away the Pounds"
Amazon. Books and DVDs.

[Anonymous]

There were a few other tips in another thread that you might find useful:
http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/316279.page#3781872

[Anonymous]

Definitely helped me lose 20#. Wasn't morbidly obese just 20# overweight.

[Anonymous]

Yes It helps! I used to walk a lot. Have an injury and haven't been able to walk much and man have I put on weight in the past year

[Anonymous]

Yes it could help but definitely takes longer to bur. the same amount of cals as higher impact exercise. Keep in mind that it's very easy to outeat your workout so diet is the most important component for weight loss.

[Anonymous]

Weight loss is 90% diet. Walking is great for
Your heart etc & also won't make you super hungry like more intense cardio. Make sure you're moving briskly & hills are great. Lift heavy 2x per week but #1 focus should be what you eat.

[Anonymous]

Yep, I've lost 5 lbs since July 1 by walking at least 45 minutes every day. I didn't lose anything really the first week, but then it seemed to have reset my metabolism and I've been steadily losing weight since. All I've done differently is make sure that I walk at some point every day.

I'm a 49yo who gained 20 lbs after cancer treatment - working on losing the last 10.

[Anonymous]

I have had knee surgery and was told not to run by my sports med ortho. I do walk and lost about 25 pounds. I walk as fast as I can and usually go about 5 miles. I would also add some weight lifting and you will be set! (I am 40 btw.)

[Anonymous]

Yes, I walk 8 miles a day. Get a pedometer and check your progress. I also lost a few sizes from sweating a lot during night time walks in the heat. I also adjusted my eating and kept a food log.

[Anonymous]

Yes, I lost 50 lbs on a combination of walking and diet. I was overweight but not obese; the first 10 lbs came off pretty quick and then the next 40 took me a year. Walking is sustainable for me in a way that a tougher workout is not, so the weight has stayed off (and comes right back if I stop walking, regardless of diet). Also, the outdoor walks are a great time for me and DH to reconnect.

Treadmill or outdoors work fine -- I do a mix of both -- but IMO you have to do at least 4 mph, more if you can. Obviously, work up to that: I huffed and puffed going around the block when I started. Outdoors, you can "map my run" to figure your time; I find it helps to do a fixed route of known distance, and then try to just go fast without thinking about which route to take this time. On the treadmill I set the speed to 4 mph and vary the incline so it's like I'm doing hills. So on the treadmill I do less distance but burn more calories/hour.

(FWIW, people will tell you that walking your dog is good exercise, but I don't think so. Our dog is pokey and sniffs everything, and can't handle exercise in the heat. Love the dog, but we did a much faster pace before we got her.)

Good luck!