Do you feel walking is enough?

[Wonton]

Hi there.

My preferred form of exercise has always been walking. No wonder I bought a fancy pedometer, eh?

Anyways, I was wondering if anyone ever feels....like it's kind of wimpy...? I mean, when I hear people say "I go to the gym!" or "I'm a runner!" I always feel so silly saying "I try to walk 15,000 steps a day". It almost feels like such a firm disconnect that I doubt they even think I'm exercising.

I dunno. Maybe they're right. Hell, maybe it's all just in my head.

Let me know your thoughts!

[lisaaggie]

For me it is all about the incline.  It does not matter if it is on the treadmill or on the road.  THose steps burn the calories.  I rather go slower at a higher incline.  Therefore, it can be enough .It depends on the effort into the steps.  I also incorporate step aerobics.  It is accurate on the steps and calories.  

[MikeBuck]

I agree. My goal is to see how many peaks I can accomplish over 14,000 ft. Incline is everything, treadmill or hike.

[Telle]

Fitness is multi-faceted.  While walking will help improve your cardio-vascular health, you might also want to spend some time focusing on strength-training and flexibility.

[SunsetRunner · Accepted solution]

Many friends of mine are runners, but I have more friends who just like walking. IMHO, as long as you are active most of the time, your fitness can be maintained and even improved.

[Heybales]

Maintained yes if you don't lose weight, or you replace lost weight with carried weight or incline.

Improved - no. Your body only improves if it must, which means it must be given a load consistently over what it can handle well, and it will get stronger, faster, go longer, improve cardiovasularo system, ect.

[Rosalinda]

I love walking and the fitbit is addictive.  I was averaging about 15,000 to 16,000 a day, until I developed plantar fascitis and my podiatrist put on the breaks.  Now I walk about 6,000 to 8,000 and cannot wait until I get the green light from my podiatrist.  In the meantime, I picked up the battle rope, it seemed easy enough and it is, but is a killer!!! I found out that although I am not walking as much, by doing the battle rope daily my body started to burn off fat and I am gaining muscle definition.  And since I am not allowed to walk as much, I rollerblade 🙂 and of course I drink 80-90 oz of water a day and  watch what I eat.  Lots of lean protein, veggies (only lemon or apple cider vinegar for dressing) fruits, whole grains and every now and again I indulge in my passion...pistachio almond ice cream and salsa and chips 🙂 if it has been a lousy month I allow myself to have a coke with those chips.

I think the important thing is to eat healthy and keep your body moving.  There have been times, when I don't want to do anything or I want to stuff my face with the wrong kind of food, but when I go do my physical and bloodwork comes back and all the #s are within normal range I smile and think is all worth it.

[SunsetRunner]

I feel like walking can be enough exercise and enough to lose weight if done at a higher pace (not a leisurely stroll all the time), and the number of steps is at least 10,000 a day consistently. I personally like walking because it's relaxing but I used to feel like walking wasn't enough. It's a great form of cardio and it's something that everyone can do fo free. NO gym membership, no special clothes to wear, no special location to drive to, just head outside and you're on the way. It can be done solo or in a group, and it's great for working out my lower half. But I still enjoy doing more high intensity workouts because I feel I don't burn enough calories if I don't do more than walking.

[Stephen1227]

I think that walking brikskly is great exercise.  When I walk 3 or 4 miles, my mood improves, I feel energized, and often have creative ideas come to me while walking.  I think it also burns calories and can get your heartrate up without the usual risks of running (knee pain for example).  As an alternative, you might want to try jogging for 2 minutes, walking 1.  After a while, you might follow a jog 3 minute, walk 1 minute cycle.  I've trained for and completed half and full marathons using this run / walk method--albeit not at a breakneck pace.  Currently, I am not doing distance, but am walking regularly with the goal of using the 3 minute jog, 1 minute walk pattern for 3 to 5 mile distances.  One of the nice things about the run / walk method is you recover faster as you are using different muscles during the workout.  Hope this helps some.

[ColleenS]

I try and mix it up.  Running seems to shift the weight easier but I like to do a variety of things and walking is fine too.  Any exercise is good exercise, especially if you can get out in the fresh air.  It will make you feel better physically and mentally.  Do whatever makes you happy.

[NY2TX]

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@NY2TX wrote:

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@Wonton wrote:

Hi there.

My preferred form of exercise has always been walking. No wonder I bought a fancy pedometer, eh?

Anyways, I was wondering if anyone ever feels....like it's kind of wimpy...? I mean, when I hear people say "I go to the gym!" or "I'm a runner!" I always feel so silly saying "I try to walk 15,000 steps a day". It almost feels like such a firm disconnect that I doubt they even think I'm exercising.

I dunno. Maybe they're right. Hell, maybe it's all just in my head.

Let me know your thoughts!

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My answer is that it all depends (on what type of walking you are doing) PLUS diet is a critical companion if you're trying to lose weight.

A "stroll in the park" might be fine to build up the FitBit steps, and could be fine for alot of people.  But for me, more aerobic walking is exercise.  For example, this morning, I walked 6.52 miles in 1:39:30, doing 12,155 FB steps and burning 1018 FB calories (note that according to my Runkeeper I actually burned 902 calories but that doesn't factor in the BMR calories).  Since Sunday through right now, I've walked a total of 91,722 steps, a total of 32 miles and burned 18,156 FitBit calories (consuming 9,125 estimated calories - there are a few hot dogs in my near future though ).

Everyone has and does their own thing.  Mine is exercise and hard walking to get into shape, lose weight, and convince my Doctor to take me off of my blood pressure and cholesterol meds.

PS: I'm 65 and have lost 32 pounds since March 23rd.

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Just an update - in the month of July, I walked a total of 176 miles (mostly at 15 minutes/mile or less) and lost a bit more than 15 pounds during the month.  Walking plus careful eating.  At least for me, walking is clearly enough.

[Colinm39]

Walking is extremely beneficial and this report which talks mainly about running or slower running has researched the health benefits of longer life.. It was in the Australian press yesterday.

http://tinyurl.com/lzfyxh2

Extract from the article.

"An accompanying comment article Dr Chi Pang Wen, of the Institute of Population Health Sciences, in Taiwan and colleagues, said: "A 5-min run is as good as 15-min walk, and a 25-min run can generate benefits that would require four times longer to accomplish by walking. As the researchers indicated, for younger individuals who are pressed for time, running is a far better option for time efficiency."

[Jherome]

This part of the research is funny... "As the researchers indicated, for younger individuals who are pressed for time, running is a far better option for time efficiency."

1. Why does it have to be younger individuals?

2. It is pretty obvious that running will give you a better cardio workout over walking. The main reason I run most days instead of walk is because of the time constraints. I can get 7 miles in running 1 hour vs. around 4 miles walking.

Is it me or are these findings fairly obvious except for having to be a younger individual.

[Jherome]

GREAT JOB NY2TX!

[LewWagner]

Back in Nov 2013, I weighed 300 lbs, was 56, and could barely walk to our neighborhood mail boxes (.5 miles) without getting winded and having to rest along the way.  I was averaging about 1.7 miles walking after that but with frequent stops to catch my breath.  It hurt too much to run/jog as my knees and ankles couldn't take the weight.  Fast forward to today.  I'm walking around 6-8 miles per day at about 3.35 MPH average without resting stops and along cross country type terrain.  I'm buring 2,700-3,000 calories each day (using Fitbit numbers) and am now down to 177 lbs (123 lost since beginning of Nov).  Of course, I also followed a strict nutritional plan, stopped snacking, and never ever ate after 8 PM.

I'd say walking is beneficial.

Lew Wagner

[Colinm39]

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@Jherome wrote:

This part of the research is funny... "As the researchers indicated, for younger individuals who are pressed for time, running is a far better option for time efficiency."

1. Why does it have to be younger individuals?

2. It is pretty obvious that running will give you a better cardio workout over walking. The main reason I run most days instead of walk is because of the time constraints. I can get 7 miles in running 1 hour vs. around 4 miles walking.

Is it me or are these findings fairly obvious except for having to be a younger individual.

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@JheromeI'm 75 in a couple of months and part of my regime is the 45 minute walk at least 5 days/week at a pace of about 75% of my maxHR, that is when external life issues don't get in the way. I tend to follow the "Younger Next Year" philosophy, "how to be 50 at 80" and it has kept me in good stead since I have had Fitbit. Nearly 3 years on and I have averaged just over 10,000 steps/day and my doctor is very happy with me. It is probably all genetics with me.  Can't run or jog because of age related lower back issues, general wear and tear, but walking is my cure and the stationary bike.

[Jherome]

Colinm39.... I hope that when I am your age that I am still committed to being active as you are. You are one of my heros!

[Colinm39]

@NY2TXExcellent effort with your 170 miles. I had a couple of months last year, September and December to prove I could do similar, I set my goal at 500k steps, just missed in September and I made up for it in December. Like you my doctor won't take me off BP medication. I have no other issues and my BP is marginal and I have dropped 32 lb and from 42" to 36" in jeans. It's a challenge...

Thank you Fitbit....

[Stephen1227]

Jherome, I am with you!  Let's make it a priority and keep at it.  Collinm39 is indeed an inspriation.

Stephen

[Colinm39]

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@LewWagner wrote:

Back in Nov 2013, I weighed 300 lbs, was 56, and could barely walk to our neighborhood mail boxes (.5 miles) without getting winded and having to rest along the way.  I was averaging about 1.7 miles walking after that but with frequent stops to catch my breath.  It hurt too much to run/jog as my knees and ankles couldn't take the weight.  Fast forward to today.  I'm walking around 6-8 miles per day at about 3.35 MPH average without resting stops and along cross country type terrain.  I'm buring 2,700-3,000 calories each day (using Fitbit numbers) and am now down to 177 lbs (123 lost since beginning of Nov).  Of course, I also followed a strict nutritional plan, stopped snacking, and never ever ate after 8 PM.

I'd say walking is beneficial.

Lew Wagner

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@LewWagnerYou are really on a winner and your weight loss since November is exceptional and the feeling with new clothes and comments is always worth it. Keep it up, because your post looks like you are near maintenance weight and a new set of challenges.

[Colinm39]

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@Jherome wrote:

Colinm39.... I hope that when I am your age that I am still committed to being active as you are. You are one of my heros!

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@JheromeThanks for the postive thoughts.. What is the alternative... Use it or lose it..

Since the World Health Organisations adopted the 10k per day step criteria I hope we have more and more people being active, because in Australia we a getting an unhealthy aging population requiring medical support like all other countries.

Walking is definitely beneficial.