What are the health benefits from walking?

Question

I'm 5'9" and 170 (i'm a thick sistah, but not fat) and i gained a little weight over the winter. I want to lose about 30 pounds or so. I want to start walking but i really haven't exercised in a while. Is walking a good start? Should i walk fast or slow when just starting out? How long should i walk when starting? I have an outdoor track right by me that's a half-mile long.

Answer 1

Walking is the BEST thing to start with. Start slow and then work up to brisk walking (brisk walking is much better than jogging or running - particularly if you have not exercised in awhile)...... this way you do NOT injure yourself and you are not hard on your knees or back.

Walking can burn lots of calories if you do it right. Keep challenging yourself everyday and push further each time based on either distance or time. I like time best.... (i.e. today I'll start with 20 minutes, tomorrow, I'll work up to 30 minutes, the next 40, then 45, soon an hour).... you'll see how invigorated you'll feel. I like to do an hour a day, but on occasion have worked up to 2 hrs! It feels fantastic!

Walking is great to burn fat, build muscles in your legs, thighs, buttocks, and is EXCELLENT FOR YOUR HEART! Great cardio!!! And I highly recommend walking no matter what other exercises you end up adding to your regime.

I recently lost 40 lbs! I started by walking like I mentioned above. Soon, I bought an exercise ball and would work out in front of the TV at night in addition to walking - (I use mine for situps - much easier on the back). I bought freeweights (10 lbs. each, but you can do this with food cans or water bottles) and started walking with those around the house to work my arms, too.

Of course, I started eating healthier, while doing this, and drank plenty of water.

You can do it!!!!

Answer 2

Walking is the best to start out. People who walk rather than run do not jar the spine. It is far healthier to walk than run. You could walk medium fast then fast, it is good for the circulation, and your heart. Walk at least 2 miles a day for the first week, then do it twice a day the 2nd week. By then you will be walking fast.
I live in Mexico and I walk all over, to the post office, to pay the utility bills, to buy the vegetables, and groceries, and I'm in my 70's. When I go back to the States for a couple of weeks I drive everywhere, when I return to Mx. after the first two days of walking I can feel the pull in my calf muscles and I know how my body missed the regular daily walks for everything. But losing weight you should cut down on cookies, cakes, fried things, no potato chips, no icecream and keep to fresh fruits, apples, bananas, oranges, pears, berries, plain nonfat yogurt, steamed vegs. with your protein of fish or small amount of pork or beef. Eat peas, beans and lentils, lettuce and salads. Keep off anything white, whiteflour white rice, sugar.....

Answer 3

Walking: Walking is one of the easiest exercises. It is suitable for people of all ages and various lifestyles. If you are a beginner, walk at medium pace. Then keep on increasing your pace so that you can achieve your ideal target heart rate. Increase resistance by walking uphill to increase heart rate. Besides being an excellent cardio exercise, walking will uplift your spirit.

Answer 4

Walking is great cardie vascular exercise in the most natural form...it increases your endurance and strength and overall health....
However you have to walk for one hour just to burn one cookie, so , as great as it is, it is not for the weight loos.
Only combined with reasonable eating habits together, it might help you...
And that should be the part of your life style, unfortunately, not just a temporarily "fix". otherwise you will gain all your weight back...and some more.

Answer 5

Walking is good. While you won't burn as much calories as say running, you are also much less likely to inncur joint injuries that are common in runners.