Walking isn't exercise- change my mind

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I used to think the way you did, but then I started using my apple watch. A long walk (like 1+ hours) at a moderate pace burns a lot of calories, even if your heart rate doesn't go up that high. So I think walking is a great form of exercise to prevent and maintain weight loss. It's also great because it's low-impact and doesn't require an special equipment, so it's much more accessible to people in all stages of fitness. Biking, hiking, and swimming all require a lot of additional planning and access to equiptment and transportation.

your maintaining weight by controlling your diet. Walking is at best 300 calories an hour depending on your size. Cycling is more than double the caloric burn[/quote]

That might be true but, walking is free and easier than biking. It is also safer since bikers are killed more by cars. Sure you could die by walking but, if you stay on the sidewalk it is less likely. Bikes require maintenance too and sometimes a bike rack if you want to go somewhere else.

All you need for walking is shoes hat and water and good to go. There is no way I trust drivers around here not to hit me and I don't want to die getting hit by a car.

[Anonymous]

Why are some of you so fixated on the idea of "caloric burn" as the only benefit of exercise?!

[Anonymous]

I think you are right, OP. It's lovely and relaxing (and often, for me, transportation), but not meaningful exercise unless a strenuous hike. I know a lot of overweight people who have 11,000 steps a day on their Fitbits.

[Anonymous]

People generally have not gained pandemic weight because they've stopped going to to the gym three or four times per week. They've gained weight because they're no longer doing all of the low impact activities they used to do throughout their workdays, ie walking to work, or to and from their car, going up and down the odd flight of stairs, walking to get lunch, walking to and from the kitchen at work, or to other people's offices. When you stop doing all of these things that seem like nothing (like on a very lazy vacation or after surgery), you'll see what a difference they make.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why are you so fixated on how other people get their exercise?

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Inviting strangers to judge your wife with you isn't a sign of a good husband - change my mind.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are you so fixated on how other people get their exercise?

I had an injury/surgery and had to become a walker for a few months. I've gained weight! Still in better shape than all the walkers I see

I see we are still struggling with the idea that weight gain comes from a calorie surplus

And that generally speaking you have no idea how in shape somebody is based on their physical appearance.

Op here, yes controlling this is the best way to keep weight down. Thinking your getting any caloric burn benefit from walking is marginal at best. There is no cardio vascular benefit either. Women- Like my lovely wife who doesn't even need to lose 1 pound need to seek out a cardiovascular workout. ( 20 minutes daily of 80% /max heart rate) Whats the number 1 killer of women?? Heart disease! My rehab from surgery has mostly been done near the bike/walk trail some fit bikers out here, almost 0 fit walkers.

Walking works if your old, have other physical ailments, or maybe if you speed walk..other than that I will save my walking shoes for when I am well over 80 but only after I try swimming

Actually, science says 80% easy/20% hard workouts for best performance. Easy is defined as less than 75% of your max heart rate. Let your wife exercise how she wants maybe?

[Anonymous]

A few years ago, I started walking 4-5 miles 4-5 times a week. My cholesterol is now excellent. My blood pressure is usually about 95/50. My heart rate is in the low 50s. My numbers were all much higher before starting to walk. My BMI has been in the normal range before and after. But the walking has been transformational for my health.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Walking isn’t strolling isn’t shuffling while leaning on a shopping cart.

Yes walking is exercise. Speed walking even more so.

It kind of is, though. That's part of the beauty of walking. You can do extra steps basically wherever - park a little further from the grocery store, walk a few extra laps around Target. Just because you can fit it into your normal life, doesn't make it a less effective form of movement.

I can only speak for myself, but I walk around 15,000 steps a day and I think it is both a sign of good health and a cause of good health. (Knock wood a million times.)

Sure running is obviously more intense exervise. But running hurts my legs, I don't want to do it.

Now gentle yoga, on the other hand - you'll have to convince me that's not just a pre-nap.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A few caveats: not speed walks (4mph+), No weighted resistance.

The way most people walk it doesn't raise the heart rate enough. The wife's favorite analogy " walked a lot while shopping"----NOT Exercise, Walked for an hour at 20/min/mile- nope
A whole walking every day for a week won't even burn a pounds- worth of calories
I rarely see walkers that are fit

I do think its an ok form of exercise if your over 75 or have a physical impairment. Its ok as a way to loosen up the back after sitting or when your digesting dinner.

Have you really improved your fitness with just walking? Why not try something more challenging? Cycling, Swimming, even Hiking ( I say that is different than walking)

You don't know the difference between your and you're, its and it's. Sure you should be lecturing us?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:People generally have not gained pandemic weight because they've stopped going to to the gym three or four times per week. They've gained weight because they're no longer doing all of the low impact activities they used to do throughout their workdays, ie walking to work, or to and from their car, going up and down the odd flight of stairs, walking to get lunch, walking to and from the kitchen at work, or to other people's offices. When you stop doing all of these things that seem like nothing (like on a very lazy vacation or after surgery), you'll see what a difference they make.

While I don’t doubt what you say is true, it’s been the opposite for me. I walk a lot more while WFH this past year. In the office I’m so sedentary walking between offices and meeting rooms. I’ve lost 14 pounds just from walking around my neighborhood during quarantine and eating healthier.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why are some of you so fixated on the idea of "caloric burn" as the only benefit of exercise?!

Because they're obsessed with weight and looks think that being fat is the worst thing possible. Like the poster who said that walking wasn't exercise because she knew a lot of overweight people who get 10,000+ steps a day. I thought everyone kind of knew by now that diet is more important than exercise in terms of weight, but apparently not. I don't walk to lose weight; I walk because it makes my head clearer, helps me sleep better, prevents muscle and joint aches, keeps my blood pressure low, reduces stress, and generally contributes to my overall health. If I miss too many daily walks, I feel bloated and tired and cranky. You can't tell me it's not good exercise!

[Anonymous]

It’s weird that people are making a distinction between walking to walk and walking while shopping, etc.

If I go shopping and spend an hour at the mall and then half an hour at target I would probably take 5000-6000 steps and cover 3 miles. Why am I not allowed to count that as exercise if I want to?

I don’t go to the mall or exercise really aside from an occasional hike so what do I know.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are some of you so fixated on the idea of "caloric burn" as the only benefit of exercise?!

Because they're obsessed with weight and looks think that being fat is the worst thing possible. Like the poster who said that walking wasn't exercise because she knew a lot of overweight people who get 10,000+ steps a day. I thought everyone kind of knew by now that diet is more important than exercise in terms of weight, but apparently not. I don't walk to lose weight; I walk because it makes my head clearer, helps me sleep better, prevents muscle and joint aches, keeps my blood pressure low, reduces stress, and generally contributes to my overall health. If I miss too many daily walks, I feel bloated and tired and cranky. You can't tell me it's not good exercise!

Hang out at the finish line of a marathon at around the 4 hour mark and you'll see a ton of tubby people.

[Anonymous]

My only form of exercise is walking. I broke my foot a few months ago and stopped walking and the weight has piled on. Plus, I’ve lived in Europe a lot and whenever I do, I walk a lot, and I am always so skinnier when I live in Europe.