Have you heard? Walking is good exercise! Sometimes the easiest things can be the best and really good for your.
Walking offers many health benefits and can give your body a boost when you consistently walk as exercise. While it might not be as great for weight loss as running, it’s also less likely to cause injuries or strain your body too much. It is also an exercise you can do almost anywhere with limited equipment!
How to walk for exercise
There are lots of ways to walk for exercise:
- walk to and from places you need to go like work
- walk during your lunch break at work
- walk further from where you park at stores
- walk to the gym
- walk on the treadmill at the gym
- walk on the track at the gym
- walk at the track at a local high school
- walk with exercise DVDs
Below are a few walking exercise DVDs you can use in your home to get the benefits of walking.
Tone Every Zone Walk DVD with Leslie Sansone
Walk Away the Pounds with Leslie Sansone
Why Walking Can Suck
I’m not always a fan of walking for exercise. I’m just not. I like walking sure, and try to make sure I do a lot of it, but given the choice I’d rather do something else. I’d rather take a class or run or swim or just about anything else. I get bored when walking, especially if I am being forced to walk on a track or around an area I know really well. If I’ve seen everything there is to see I can easily get bored. Music helps, or if I need to think about something specific, but generally I’d rather do something else for my exercise.
A lot of you are big fans of walking for exercise. You seem to love it and actually prefer it for your method of exercise, walking ridiculous amounts of miles every time you work out. Good for you. To each his own, and for me, honestly, I’m not the biggest fan.
But just because I’m not a fan of something doesn’t mean I won’t do it. In fact, since I’ve been home walking has been my only form of exercise. It’s free, which is great. I can do it anywhere. It is easy. There aren’t many downsides to walking, other than the fact that it is hard to get my heart rate up with it. I know I technically need some interval training thrown into my schedule, but for now I am just walking. And get this – walking is working.
Almost every day this week I’ve walked. I’ve not been super consistent with my times or distances, but I’ve walked. On any given day I’ve walked anywhere from .5 to 3 miles. Oh yes, and most of the time with a heavy backpack on my back. Not exactly leisurely walking.
On the days where I walked around 3 miles, I usually walked from my apt where I’m staying to my mom’s house. I have no real reason for doing this, other than I need something to do during the day. I make up stupid reasons why I need to go to my house and then walk there. That’s it. Gets my exercise in, gives me something to do, and is furthering my goals for healthy living. I’d call that a win!
And there will be even more winning to report on Sunday when I weigh in. I can just tell that it is going to be a good thing! I’m excited to see how the walking every day thing pays off. And then maybe by next week I can buy some shoes and add in some running/jogging intervals to my walking adventures. But I just think my weigh in will be great without even adding anything hardcore to my schedule. What I’m doing right now is working.
Dr. J says
Great news!! I recommend walking all the time to people for weight loss. It’s also a good time to reflect on your life, as the more intense activities usually prevent that. No, it won’t give you that high VO2 max, but as a consistent low injury calorie burner, it can’t be beat.
Diane Fit to the Finish says
Mary – that’s my primary form of exercise and I do enjoy it. I’m a speedy, speedy walker and like to pass people who are in front of me! (My competitive nature shining through there!)
I’m proud of you for doing something even though you don’t love it. It’s kinda like eating you veggies that you don’t love – you eat them because the benefits outweigh the negative taste (unless it’s brussell sprouts!!)
.-= Diane Fit to the Finish´s last blog ..Obese and Selling Pampered Chef =-.
Mary says
Hehe, you are one of those fast walkers I hate! I walk at a good speed but I’m not at all fast. My short little legs just won’t let that happen. Hehe.
Yeah, walking is very much like eating my veggies used to be. I hated it at first, then I got used to it, then I loved it. I’m hoping for the same process with walking. I actually do love walking, just not the same route over and over.
rosyblue says
Nice post! I love walking- it clears my mind and soul. There is always something new to notice around the neighbor. It’s a great way to say Hi to the world. Walking has been very good for me. Keep walking- it’s fabulous! :) You go, girl!
Foodie McBody says
Walking with a heavy backpack! Now THAT’s an idea!! Brilliant! and I bet super effective as well. I definitely need to get out and walk more. I live in a pretty isolated neighborhood so I drive EVERYwhere. But you have put a little bug in my ear. Thank you.
And YEAH for that You’re Almost There sign!!
.-= Foodie McBody´s last blog ..Fake it till you make it. =-.
Mary says
Walk! Walk! Walk!
Hehe, the little bug is telling you something!!
Jack Sh*t says
Henry David Thoreau once said “Me thinks that the moment my legs begin to move, my thoughts begin to flow,” but a little-known fact about Thoreau is that he weighed over 400 lbs most of his life. True story!
*Please be advised that Jack Sh*t is celebrating Opposite Day today. The viewpoints expressed in this comment do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the comment writer. For more information, please go to Jack Sh*t, Gettin’ Fit at http://jackfit.blogspot.com/2009/12/opposite-day.html.
.-= Jack Sh*t´s last blog ..Opposite Day =-.
Paula says
I love walking. Especially during my lunch hour. It’s a good way to clear the cobwebs from my mind. I do my best thinkin when I’m walkin. I bring along my camera–you never know what interesting things you find along the way.
I especially love walking in the fall. There’s noting more beautiful than hearing the sound of leaves crunching under your feet. Okay, maybe there is but you get the point.
Nice post.
.-= Paula´s last blog ..Aprovechar =-.
Johnny Fontana says
Mary,
It’s great that you are staying consistent with any form of exercise. The biggest problem with most people is that they can’t stay consistent. Especially when it’s something that you don’t enjoy doing.
Jody - Fit at 52 says
Mary, love this: It’s a little sign telling me that I’m almost there. I’m almost done with my weight battle. That I’m almost to the point where my body and my mind can rest and be happy. Sure I’ve still got a ways to go and some more hard work to do, but I’m almost there. For once I know the end is in sight. And that little message from the sign is a great one.
At least with walking, you can do it anywhere like you mentioned! I jog & I am not a fan of it but I do it & I like the results…..
Keep up the great work!
PS: Boxing.. HARD!!! More on that next week on my blog!
.-= Jody – Fit at 52´s last blog ..Out of My Comfort Zone! Thank You’s! =-.
merri says
I used to love to walk. But it does get boring if you’ve walked the same routes over and over. Even the eliptical gets boring. Music is key I think. :)
.-= merri´s last blog ..sweaters and other bulky clothes (the cold wave continues) =-.
Cammy@TippyToeDiet says
I prefer walking because my fiction writer’s mind gets a good workout as well. :) But I enjoy the elliptical *almost* as much. I just wish it wasn’t at the gym. :(
Have a great weekend! We’re having a heat wave!
.-= Cammy@TippyToeDiet´s last blog ..I See Things =-.
Gemfit says
Not having a car at the moment, I walk EVERYWHERE which is why I’m a little annoyed that I seem to have sprained my foot somehow on walking into the city on Thursday night. But it’s great otherwise. I listen to podasts, to music, to audio books. I carry a fairly heavy backpack around too and that, coupled with the hills around me, give me a great workout. It’s steady, it’s consistent and it’s built in me time. What more could you want?
.-= Gemfit´s last blog ..The importance of a buddy =-.
chris says
I started walking to just do something. walking daily…It’s how I lost my weight the first three months. Up and back,up and back.
I didn’t care what I did as long as I was consistent.
I think people like walking because it’s something they can do consistantly.
It’s one of the things that many people who lose a lot of weight and keep it off list as their primary form of exercise.
Whatever you do that you can do consistantly is a winner.
Keep up the good work.
.-= chris´s last blog ..December 10th…smoothielicious =-.
Mary says
I totally agree with the consistency factor. For the most part that is the KEY to weight loss. Almost doesn’t matter what you do, just do it consistently. And the cool thing about walking is that it can be done consistently FOREVER. You can get injured and not be able to run or play sports but you can still walk. You can walk when your 80! That’s the coolest part about it.
Chrissie says
I’m one of those mad walkers too – and I also tend to use a heavy backpack. I generally try to find an ‘excuse’ for getting where I’m going – usually its shopping, which isn’t always a good thing as I don’t necessarily need the things I buy – because I feel more purposeful that way. I now feel wrong walking without the heavy rucksack (I carry free weights in mine as well as shopping / library books / glass recycling), and it does make a substantial difference to the calories burned! I also love that its free, I just wish it wasn’t so unpleasant when the weather turns against me – and when its dark, I can’t do it at all :-(
Good luck for Sunday’s weigh in!
Steve says
I used to love walking, I’d walk home from school or work, I’d go to the gym and walk on the treadmill while watching a movie on TV, I’d take long walks on the evenings and weekends, etc…etc…
Now..I still do it, because I’m not in good enough shape to run or jog long distances yet (getting there though), but it bores the hell out of me. I’d much rather try to run or jog, or do something else. I’m a little better with it outside, because there are sites to take in and I haven’t really explored my current town by walking yet, but when on the treadmill it seems like long drawn out torture.
That sign is awesome though, I wouldn’t mind running into that every day :)
.-= Steve´s last blog ..Five little bits of random… =-.
Mary says
That’s where I am Steve, I would just rather TRY to jog or run than just walk alone. I’ve walked the paths I’m walking now millions of times it seems, so it gets boring. Really, really boring. In new towns when I’m traveling I LOVE walking because it is a great way to explore. I just get bored when I’m in a super familiar place.
Angie (Losing It and Loving It) says
Love walking workouts! Lost my 1st 70+ pounds with in home walking videos. I do have to change my workouts up a lot though so I don’t get bored so I can see where you’re coming from not caring for walking workouts.
I don’t think we’ll ever be done with our weight battles. Sure we may get to our goal weight/inches but then we have to maintain that. For me, I know it’s going to be tough because I already experienced a lot of weight loss and then how very easy it is to gain a lot back. It’s such a challenge that I don’t think will ever end for me.
Hey never thought to write while lying down….gotta try it! But the library is too quiet for me. Love looking out my office window and listening to Reggae music ha ha
.-= Angie (Losing It and Loving It)´s last blog ..Mini Trampoline Workout =-.
Mary says
I get what you are saying. I lost 60 pounds five years ago but then gained it back. So it’s hard to make it be a finished battle. but I think at some point it just all becomes easier and when everything clicks and you realize its something you can do forever (the living healthy bit) then it’s over. Your body might always want to gain weight, but you will have it under control.
Sagan says
I’m a total walking-fanatic… I really like the alone-time it gives me, and how I can just let my mind wander and not focus so much on my surroundings (if I let my mind wander when I’m biking or running, I’m liable to trip or ride into a car or something, heh). So glad that walking is working for you! I truly believe that it’s the best form of exercise out there.
.-= Sagan´s last blog ..Day 12 of the 200 Reps Challenge =-.
Fit Human says
Did You know that your Blog is one of Google’s top 100 for weight loss and dieting?
Pretty amazing if you ask me!
Kat says
Sometimes I like the mindless component of walking. There is a pace that is not too fast that feels almost like meditation to me. I have more fun when I am on my elliptical watching some good mindless tv though. I don’t feel guilty watching it when I am moving on my machine…:-) Feeling like you are nearing the end of your battle is really awesome! You are doing great!
.-= Kat´s last blog ..Busy Day – Quick Hot 100 Update =-.
Tyler says
I’m almost done with my weight loss journey, as well. 128 pounds lost, 22 to go, and to be honest, I’m a little scared of ending the journey.
I don’t know what comes next.
Mary says
An amazing life with no limitations. Thats what is next, Tyler. :)
South Beach Steve says
Mary, as you know, I am a walker, and I like it. I do want to add other exercises into my regime, but walking will likely always be there.
.-= South Beach Steve´s last blog ..Six Mile Saturday =-.
Mary says
Yep, I totally thought of you walking ten miles when I wrote this! Hehee.
Joanna Sutter says
That is the best sign ever! Half the joy of getting there is the journey!
Mary says
That’s a cool idea. If I had a treadmill I would totally do that.
How far away is work? I would totally recommend doing it – even if it is cold. (Maybe not when raining, hehe). It’s built in exercise and you have to get there anyway!
Bella says
I completely agree with you about walking. It is easy, free, and all of that, but for me it’s so boring. I’d much rather do something like biking, where I can go faster, feel the wind in my hair, and still enjoy the scenery.
But that sign you found really does say it all. Congratulations to you for being close to the end of your weight loss journey.
.-= Bella´s last blog ..Post and Read via Twitter API =-.
Kelly says
That sign is so inspiring! You’re right, walking is working, and you’re definitely working with that backpack on. I know a lot of people can’t even do that, so they do modified activities like yoga or karate in a chair (and yes, that can be a work out!) Keep going on your journey and before you know it, you’ll pass that sign.
Keith @ My Body Fat says
The only time I walk for exercise is when I’m on vacation. We and the wife went to Spain earlier this year and I must of clocked up about 50 miles of walking. I find walking down the beach looking out to the sea, really relaxing and it takes my mind off my everyday worries.
.-= Keith @ My Body Fat´s last blog ..Weekly Weigh In December 18th 2009 =-.
julie says
I think walking is boring, as well. I do it anyway, as many places I go are within 1.5 miles, which I walk, and most of the rest are within 6 miles, so I bike. Most of what I consider exercise happens at the gym, though once every week or two, I’ll go on a 6+ mile hike, in the woods. I only drive once or twice a week these days, and I appreciate not being dependent on the car. The hike I consider exercise, the walking is a break, a chance to clear my head, I’m not up for the gym every single day.
.-= julie´s last blog ..On the cusp =-.
Don'tRun says
I do not like walking. Instead I go to a park with hiking trails through the woods. It still walking but a lot more enjoyable.
.-= Don’tRun´s last blog ..Walk to Tone Up Your Body =-.