Walking, the best way to loose weight?
Discussion
I've been trying to loose weight for over 30 years, I'm not fat but have been over 18 stone since my early 20s, over 30 years ago.I've run, cycled,canoed, weight trained etc but the more I exercise, the more weight(muscle mass)I put on. The only time I've ever lost weight has been on long distance walks and cycles when I loose around a pound a day for a week or so.
I hit 20 stone for the first time at the beginning of the summer and damaged my knee while out on a mountain.The physio said that although I couldn't be described as fat in any way, I was overweight and wasn't doing my joints any favours at my age.
Time for a lifestyle change!!!!
I've come out of retirement, got myself a job as a part time postie, and for the last 6 weeks have been doing 5 four hour shifts a week, averaging 8 to 10 miles per day. I checked myself on the scales this morning and came in at 17 stone 13 pounds and 9 ounces, the first time below 18 stone in over 30 years. That's a 2 stone drop in less than 2 months...And I'm getting paid for it. I wish I could patent it.
I hit 20 stone for the first time at the beginning of the summer and damaged my knee while out on a mountain.The physio said that although I couldn't be described as fat in any way, I was overweight and wasn't doing my joints any favours at my age.
Time for a lifestyle change!!!!
I've come out of retirement, got myself a job as a part time postie, and for the last 6 weeks have been doing 5 four hour shifts a week, averaging 8 to 10 miles per day. I checked myself on the scales this morning and came in at 17 stone 13 pounds and 9 ounces, the first time below 18 stone in over 30 years. That's a 2 stone drop in less than 2 months...And I'm getting paid for it. I wish I could patent it.
Losing weight is all about consuming less calories than you are burning. Then your clothing will feel loose 
Exercise will help fitness and obviously burn more calories BUT it's the amount that goes in your mouth that will really dictate how much you lose.
You can never outrun, or outwalk, a mars bar.
Exercise will help fitness and obviously burn more calories BUT it's the amount that goes in your mouth that will really dictate how much you lose.
You can never outrun, or outwalk, a mars bar.
garyhun said:
Exercise will help fitness and obviously burn more calories BUT it's the amount that goes in your mouth that will really dictate how much you lose.
Both are equally important. In fact some studies show that because there are so many benefits to exercise it actually outweighs diet as a contributory factor to weight loss and maintaining it.OP - running per se will burn more calories (I'm sure that's pretty obvious!) but keeping on your feet all day is excellent as well.
brrapp said:
I've come out of retirement, got myself a job as a part time postie, and for the last 6 weeks have been doing 5 four hour shifts a week, averaging 8 to 10 miles per day. I checked myself on the scales this morning and came in at 17 stone 13 pounds and 9 ounces, the first time below 18 stone in over 30 years. That's a 2 stone drop in less than 2 months...And I'm getting paid for it. I wish I could patent it.
Very similar here brrapp.I helped a pal out last year doing an outside walking job for 4 months (instead of computer based), about 15 miles a day, and the weight just dropped off (There were some ex-posties there too). Lost a stone and a half and the scales had a 12 at the front for the first time since my 20s. Loved it and felt great plus got loads of sun (everyone thought I'd been on holiday). The logistics of the job meant I was also eating less (e.g. less grazing) so both sides of the calorie budget got hit I reckon.
SInce then I've put at least half of it back on again. Very tempted to try and fit it back into my schedule somehow.
Walking is excellent - walking carrying stuff is even better, walking carrying stuff up and down hills is even betterer.
Where running does help a bit more is conditioning the cardiovascular side of things a bit more than walking.
Anything is still good though.
I was shocked at the recent study that said that a fair amount of people don't actively (as opposed to shuffling around home/office) walk for more than ten minutes a day!
Where running does help a bit more is conditioning the cardiovascular side of things a bit more than walking.
Anything is still good though.
I was shocked at the recent study that said that a fair amount of people don't actively (as opposed to shuffling around home/office) walk for more than ten minutes a day!
Fittest I've ever been was combining a longish distance walk most weekends (13-15 miles) with an hour of circuit training twice a week. Bit of mountain biking in that mix too. Unfortunately two young kids has ended the distance walking for now, most they can manage is about 3 - 4 miles but we'll get back there one day. I've taken up running instead which is just about managing to keep the weight off.
brrapp said:
I've been trying to loose weight for over 30 years, I'm not fat but have been over 18 stone since my early 20s, over 30 years ago.I've run, cycled,canoed, weight trained etc but the more I exercise, the more weight(muscle mass)I put on. The only time I've ever lost weight has been on long distance walks and cycles when I loose around a pound a day for a week or so.
I hit 20 stone for the first time at the beginning of the summer and damaged my knee while out on a mountain.The physio said that although I couldn't be described as fat in any way, I was overweight and wasn't doing my joints any favours at my age.
Time for a lifestyle change!!!!
I've come out of retirement, got myself a job as a part time postie, and for the last 6 weeks have been doing 5 four hour shifts a week, averaging 8 to 10 miles per day. I checked myself on the scales this morning and came in at 17 stone 13 pounds and 9 ounces, the first time below 18 stone in over 30 years. That's a 2 stone drop in less than 2 months...And I'm getting paid for it. I wish I could patent it.
Get yourself a fitbit or jawbone to track your steps and set challenges. I did this when I got a dog and I'm always trying to improve my various records.I hit 20 stone for the first time at the beginning of the summer and damaged my knee while out on a mountain.The physio said that although I couldn't be described as fat in any way, I was overweight and wasn't doing my joints any favours at my age.
Time for a lifestyle change!!!!
I've come out of retirement, got myself a job as a part time postie, and for the last 6 weeks have been doing 5 four hour shifts a week, averaging 8 to 10 miles per day. I checked myself on the scales this morning and came in at 17 stone 13 pounds and 9 ounces, the first time below 18 stone in over 30 years. That's a 2 stone drop in less than 2 months...And I'm getting paid for it. I wish I could patent it.
Even better if you know someone else with one and you can set each other weekly challenges. It's silly but for me, it forces me go the extra distance...
If you can do the same circuit every day then what you may want to do is start taking a chalk stick out with you and putting in markers to beat on subsequent days. As an example when I go out walking (not as much as I used to in the recent months) I would have a point on my circuit where I had to be at by a certain time in the route, if I wasn't then I was going slower.
It's all about setting goals, once you start getting the weight off and the joints don't struggle as much is the time you can start slowly running, doing it prior to that weight point (I was advised 100kg for me) then you really risk injuring yourself too much.
It's all about setting goals, once you start getting the weight off and the joints don't struggle as much is the time you can start slowly running, doing it prior to that weight point (I was advised 100kg for me) then you really risk injuring yourself too much.
Walking works. Just don't walk to the kitchen, pub or takeaway.
Don't worry about what you actually weigh.
10 years ago, I was 15 stone and in 40" waist jeans.
Today, I am still 15 stone and in 34' waist jeans.
Eat as clean as you can, do something like Stronglifts 5x5 and the fat will come off.
Don't worry about what you actually weigh.
10 years ago, I was 15 stone and in 40" waist jeans.
Today, I am still 15 stone and in 34' waist jeans.
Eat as clean as you can, do something like Stronglifts 5x5 and the fat will come off.
3 months and 1 week ago I decided I wanted to change my lifestyle & life. I was 19 st 2lb.
I signed up to weight watchers, only for the app to learn what foods were better and worse than others.
The same say I challenged myself to walk 500 miles before my September holiday.
I go away this Saturday the 9th.
I've walked 523 miles so far.
I also play badminton once a week.
As of this morning I weigh 15st 12lb.
That's 3 st 4lb loss in 13 Weeks.
So yes, walking helps but what goes in your mouth is the key.
Nutritious, healthy fresh food is what you need. Low sugar, low carb. High protein and LOTS of water.
Get a step tracker like others have said and set goals.
I will be 14st by Xmas.
I signed up to weight watchers, only for the app to learn what foods were better and worse than others.
The same say I challenged myself to walk 500 miles before my September holiday.
I go away this Saturday the 9th.
I've walked 523 miles so far.
I also play badminton once a week.
As of this morning I weigh 15st 12lb.
That's 3 st 4lb loss in 13 Weeks.
So yes, walking helps but what goes in your mouth is the key.
Nutritious, healthy fresh food is what you need. Low sugar, low carb. High protein and LOTS of water.
Get a step tracker like others have said and set goals.
I will be 14st by Xmas.
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