Walking outside in winter! Aim to lose 60lbs

[Sangeetha78]

Hello all,

I am 5'2" and hovering around 198 to 200 lbs. I am looking to lose 60 lbs overall but short goal of 5 to 10 lbs at a time will help. 

Anyone lost 60 lbs with fitbit alone?

How do you all manage walking outside during winter? Or is all the walking only inside during bad weather?

Need some help! Thanks in advance..

[Heybales]

For winter and cold temps, just remember the axiom "cotton kills" when deciding what to wear.

Wear poly or wool blends, but not 100% cotton next to skin at the least.

Even if you don't feel like you are sweating, you will likely put out more moisture, and that held by cotton next to skin is bad idea in cold temps.

But sure, love walking outdoors, or the running or biking. 

You want layers, and remove before you get too hot.

For weight loss - you merely need to eat less than you burn.

Fitbit is going to help motivate you perhaps (don't let step goals stop you from doing a better non-step workout though like resistance training), and give estimates of what you burn.

Then your eating goal will be set correctly to eat less than that, so now logging what you eat accurately.

But you don't have to exercise to lose weight - just makes it easier since you burn more, you get to eat more.

Perhaps it won't feel like a bad diet then.

Of course your selection of how fast to lose decides that too - you have about 10lbs to 50 left where the rate of 2 lbs /weekly is reasonable.

Then you should really switch to 750 deficit (1.5 lbs weekly) from 30 to 50.

Then 500 for 15 to 30.

Then 250.

That will help the diet not feel so bad either.

[DavideFitbit]

Welcome to the Fitbit Community forums @Sangeetha78! 

I lost 30 pounds a couple of years ago, but I managed to do it mostly by following a consistent food plan, and I haven't gained any weight ever since. 

I have 3 hernias in my lower back, so I love walking because it's not a high intensity workout. It is a challenge to walk outside when it gets very cold, I definitely try to use proper clothing, and if it gets way too cold I try to walk inside of my house listening to music or watching a documentary to distract myself. 

Let us know about your progress! 

[Sangeetha78]

Yes Davide. That's what I am planning to do for now. I have a room where I can do indoor walking, when the weather gets too bad. I am also working on getting my food in order.

[Sangeetha78]

Thank you very much for giving the calorie deficit details. I am working on getting my food intake in order. And focus more on fasting 16 to 18 hours a day.

I love going outside for a walk especially during the fall season when its absolutely blissful outside. But will go into walking indoors if it gets too bad to walk outside.

[Baltoscott]

@Heybales has a lot of great tips about getting outside in the winter.  It really is all about layering (and the tip to avoid cotton is good too).  Like you, I love being outside. I feel so much better after a good walk, run, or bike ride, and wouldn't want a little cold weather to get it the way of that!

As far as weight loss goes, my suggestion is to just ignore the exercise side of it.  Exercise to feel better, improve your mobility, and to improve your chances of a health old age. To lose that 60 lbs, focus on eating patterns that you can sustain over a lifetime. Maybe change (or limit) some of the things you eat or drink that you know aren't helpful, a focus on adding veggies, fruits, fiber, and quality protein to every meal to improve nutrients and help crowd out some of the junk.

[DavideFitbit]

Excellent @Sangeetha78! Let us know how it goes. 😀 

[PineyJim]

Hi @Sangeetha78,  FitBit and these forums helped me in a huge way on my journey to loose 135 Lbs...I've not achieved this goal but pleased with the progress after 10 months.  Great advice here. I'm no expert - there are many on this forum whom are much more knowlegable but heres my story. I'm 54 years old and was on a very bad path. During the holidays last year I made the concious choice that I wanted to live to see my grown kids raise familes and to enjoy a (hopefully longer life with my wife, friends and family.  The path I was was a short one and my poor health and morbid obeisity was limiting activities that I previously enjoyed. I was depressed.  For reasons unknown to me, the "switch" in my head flipped and I started on making lifestyle changes on 1/6/20 at 327 LBS.  This morning after 10 months I weighed in at 210.  I found that strict tracking of intake (food in) is key.  Every calorie and no guessing which means weighing and measuring what you eat and not excluding the little things like sauces, a bite here and there.  Log everything. I attempt to take in no more than 1500 calories/day during the week and a bit more on the weekends.  I also use Apple Cider Vinegar (dilutted with water) and Green Tea Daily. I was not a beliver in these things at first but now I am.  The ACV curbs my appitite.  I also do 16/8 Intermittent Fasting daily with dinner at 5 and bfast at 9:15 AM or so. I stopped eating ALL processed foods and sugar.("clean eating")  IMHO, the 2nd part of the equation is "calories out" or daily calorie burn is important.  My daily burn goal is 3500 calories which at first was easy but now after loosing 115 Lbs is a challange. Walking is awesome - what ever you can do to increase your activity level. I too started walking. In March 2020 I purchased as inexpensive spin bike on Amazon and ride to a calorie burn goal.  6 months ago,  I started doing a HIIT routine (High Intensity Interval Training) and noticed the loss increase dramitically (as well as a big improvement in my cardio score). I try to get 5-6 days of cardio in a week (3 HIIT days, 3 steady state days)   Finally,  to prevent muscle loss,  I lift dumbells in my garage 4x/week. I understand that the HIIT and Weight Training improve the "afterburn" effect...calories burned when your not working out. I workout in a fasted state.  Although I'm certain the calorie burn on FitBit is not completely accurate, it doesnt really matter - it's a good guage in general.  I too set mini-goals...it was 12-15 Lbs/Month and now it's 8-10 lbs per month.  The lighter and more fit you are,  the less you burn at rest.  My goal is somewhere around 185 lbs,  my body will indicate my optimum weight,  not the number.  After 10 months into this journey,  I can say that it's mainly a mental game. Although I'm not done mine (it's never done),  I can say that life now is so much better that it was prior to 1/6/20.  Like I and all of us humans,  we will slip up. The key is to forget the past and get back to your program. My 20 year old nephew, a Fitness fanatic, is my "accountability partner". I text him my workouts (FitBit screen shots) every AM and my food intake every PM.  Joey provides encrouragement and tells me when I'm off track.   It's not been easy but nothing worhwhile is ever easy.  You have friends here - read this board for motivation and support. FitBit has been a key part of my progress...it's all there for you.  Good luck on your journey!  

[Serenity714]

I lost 40lbs with my Fibit and beachbody (shakeology/3x a week barre blend/walking) honestly it was great to learn calorie in and calorie out. This is by far the longest I've been at goal weight and honestly I feel like I can easily sustain this unlike my previous attempts.

Moderator edit: format

[DavideFitbit]

Thank you for sharing your experiences with this @PineyJim @Serenity714! 😀 

[SummersBFF]

I'm in the same boat as you Sangeetha 78.  I've been doing a lot of reading and it seems to be agreed by the experts that if you don't do some kind of resistance/weight training while you lose weight... you will lose as much or more muscle than fat!  We only want to lose fat, right!  So I'm walking and lifting weights as much as I can for now and doing squats and some wall push-ups.  I'm also trying to eat more protein than I used to and little to no added sugars.  I miss my donuts and cookies!!!  Every once in a while I'll splurge.