Is running better for you then walking? I weigh 183 pounds and i am 5 foot 6 I need to loose weight and was to

Question

I weight 183 ponds and I am 5'6. I need to loose weight and want to loose weight......so i was told running will produce faster and better results. Anyone know anything about this?
Thanks in advance,
Brandy

I have polycystic ovarian disease...thats why I am over weight. I walk a mile every night and I just am not loosing.

Answer 1

check with your doc first. the first poster is right about a higher heart rate, but high-impact exercise might be hard on your joints. Try weight lifting, muscle is cool because it burns fat while you are sleeping. better yet, cardio and strength training together. Eat a high protein, low fat diet rich in fruit and vegetables. Drink tons of water and try not to drink too much alcohol...that packs on the pounds. Good luck, you don't have far to go.

Answer 2

The notion that walking is better is an absurd notion. Low impact excercises, though popular recommendations for our litigious culture, are minimal in their benefit (although in some cases it is necessary, such as when dealing with heart conditions, and frequently low impact excercises are wise to bridge the gap between no excercise and high impact excercises).

That said, you are certainly going to fail with that goal. If your goal is to loose weight, the process will be miserable. People being what they are, at some point, either after your goal has been met or during the process, you'll give up. This is true of most every person.

Set a goal that is intelligent and beneficial physically and emotionally. For example, decide you are going to run 4 miles in 26 minutes. That kind of target will get you skinny, but will also, critically, make you feel incredible. Believe me when I say it will be easy to continue. If thats not your bag, say your going to swim 2 miles in X minutes, or your going to play on a soccer team, or whatever. Just dont say I'm going to loose weight; You'll fail eventually.

Points of interest from the medical profession: the notion that most people use to avoid running -- my knees are bad -- is, with a very small number of exceptions, hogwash. While habitual runners sometimes run into problems with their knees later in life, the so-called 'bad knees' is a result of a lack of muscular support on the knees. This will go away as you get better, but in general there should be some pain expected while begining running.
Secondly, treadmills are about half as valuable as running. While you may simulate the effect of running, much of the challenge (and thus exertion and therefore benefit) of running comes from the act of pushing your X pound body forward. Having a machine push the ground in the other direction removes this, and thus removes much of the benefit of the excercie.

Answer 3

If you are over weight, your joints are already stressed. Running is not a good idea for you. Walking is much better. It may not work as quickly but, if you loose weight too fast you skin does not have time to firm up and it will be saggy. If you decide to run, make sure it is not on pavement. Try an indoor track. The combination of the hard surface and being over weight can have a negative impact on you body. You may develop heal spurs or other issues.

Answer 4

Please don't take offense, and/ or any others, but exercise is only a part of "losing" LOOSE weight.

I have no idea your eating habits, but certainly one can LOSE what they ingest in weight, every day.

Running increases cardio vascular activity, but isn't for everyone. Walking helps on many levels,,,IE: Actually taking the time to SEE things.

Pills aren't something I'd advise either. Maintaining. or getting to a more ideal weight for your height and structure is a disclipine, has to become a habit, and has to kept kept current and active in.

You can do as well in your two suggestions, on a treadmill, adding exercises that focus on at least TONING those LOOSE areas, and diet need not be extreme, or with chemicals.

I live on less than 2000 calories a day.... admittedly I'm Underweight but not unhealthy. I ingest what I need to sustain me and don't ingest impulsively.

Rev. Steven

Answer 5

Start with walking normal, work into speed walking. The human body was designed to walk not run. Running can be hard on the knees, hips and back. It would be better to wait until you are closer to a normal weight before you try running. Riding a bike might be better, you get the cardio benefits with out the high impact factor. It is also less boring.

Answer 6

At 183# running might be a little more difficult. Start walking and run in intervals...example... walk to raise your heart rate, run for 1 minute( or however long you can) then walk again. Do this increasing the amount of minutes you run...run in 1 minute intervals for 2 weeks, then 3 minute intervals for 1 week, then 5 minutes, until you can run for 10 or fifteen minutes at a clip. If it's too hard in the beginning, you wont stick with it... make it easy on yourself so you *DON'T GIVE UP*!!

Answer 7

walking is much better.

whoever told you this doesn't know what they're talking about.

walking 30 min. a day works wonders. take stairs.. ride a bike instead of taking the car for short destinations... eat properly, no junk food and processed garbage.

if you're having trouble consult a doctor and he'll/she'll give you the lowdown on what you should do.

extreme exercize doesn't work either, you'll tire out and stop before your body even has a chance to start burning those calories.

remember also.. it's the caloric intake... watch those calories.

a 1200 calorie a day diet is perfect... make sure you're active.. don't be dorment it's the reason why most of us have a belly in the first place.

Answer 8

Running gets the heart working faster and harder.

When you work out for 20 minutes plus, your heart rate will stay that way for 24 hours. So whatever you decide to do, make sure you do it for at least 20 minutes. It you run, your heart rate will be higher, and you will burn more calories and your metabolism will work faster!

Good Luck, and if you have any more questions do not hesitate to ask!

I would suggest joining a team of some sport. That way it will get you moving and you will be having a ton of fun while losing weight at the same time!!

Answer 9

Walking is as good if you get your heart rate up into the "fat burning zone." Might be better for your joints while your weight is high. Best results if you do your aerobic exercise in the morning before you eat. Your growth hormone levels are highest then and your body is in fat burning mode. Later in the day you would spend about 30 minutes before your body moved into that mode. Weight lifting also helps with weight because muscle has a much higher metabolic rate than fat.

Answer 10

I would not start out running. Walking is better, it's better on your joints, ligaments etc...Then I'd work my way up to running if that is what you want to do. Just start off with brisk walking, start at a half mile then work up to one then two. You will see great results with walking. I know because I did weigh 210 pounds and I was 5 feet 2 inches. I started walking and then I increased my walking. Also there are good videos out there like Denise Austin walking video. Great Video Highly recommended it if you don't want to go outdoors to exercise.
Good Luck, you can do it.