Posted: 2/27/2008 9:17:19 PM EDT
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Okay, I've decided it's time to start getting myself back into shape. About a year and half ago I had surgery that pretty well knocked me in the dirt. Couldn't work out, and by the time I'd recovered I'd gotten fat and lazy. Problem is, I discovered I can't just get out and run like I could before the hiatus!  There's no gym within 20 miles, so I've been trying to figure out what I could do - which got me to wondering about plain 'ole walking. How effective is walking for starting to shed weight and building back up endurance? |
Way better than nothing! Walking with an aerobic "purpose" (as in, good posture, quick solid pace, extended period of time) is, in and of itself, exercise. Consistancy is also very important. |
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Your biggest response to weight loss is calories. If you take in less calories than you burn you end up with lost weight. Walking is very effective in getting you back to being a healthier person. Even if you don't lose weight it is still activity and internally you will be healthier. |
| Go for it, as you drop weight and your overall endurance improves, try adding a weighted pack. I'm no expert, but, well, ~175lbs lighter, I guess it worked for me - along with eating correctly and a bit of weight training in attempt to retain as much of my lean as possible while losing. That part is pretty important as well - depending on how much to lose and how fast you want to do it, if you are just doing cardio, you'll probably lose a bunch of muscle as well. |
Cardio will lean muscles out and cut on bulk. But yes as you lose weight you don't lose just fat. Same goes for weight gain in respect to muscle mass gain. You don't add just muscle, fat gets added as well. |