Walking for fitness

[anonacatchat]

Gained weight over lockdown and also a neck injury that prevents anything too vigorous :(

I'm thinking of starting walking trying to build up to brisk / fast walking for 1 hour a day as my daily step count is currently low and not doing any other exercise .

Has anyone founds success with walking for improving basic fitness or is it not enough?

I walk a lot and consider myself pretty fit! I think up and down hills really benefited me. And getting out into nature really helped my mental health. Having goals helps initially, maybe set small goals for duration or distance covered or steps per day.

I exercise a lot, OP, and am quite fit - I started with walking (and a fitbit egging me on a few years ago. Really built up my fitness, lost weight and that allowed me to start other stuff safely and happily.

Go for it! When you can walk fast for an hour, maybe get advice on what else might be good for you.

I've lost a over a stone through healthy eating and a 3mile walk every evening.

Thanks for this all ! 🥰

I need more than walking these days (but still do a lot, either briskly in a functional way, or longer walks which are good for stamina) Walking got me going after two tough pregnancies and births.

Pick the pace up. You want to be raising your heart rate and getting warm and breathing harder.
Hills are good for this. Hand weights or a weight vest is another option to increase effort as it gets easier.
You could also use the intervals of C25k with brisk and more relaxed walking to focus on pace, you don't have to run.

Thanks for the above . Will consider adding these elements once I get going . Sadly no hills as live London suburb way but should seek them out

I live in London and it is surprising how quite a small hill gets bigger when you are walking briskly or running up it.

walking is brilliant. ..have you considered nordic walking? brings your upper body into play

I’ve been walking 5km every day and doing some yoga. It helps me to keep fit and also helps me mentally. Sometimes I listen to music, sometimes I just want to hear the sounds of the world. I think it’s one of the best things you can do. Especially if there’s a park you can walk through.

Walking is brilliant for mental health and is definitely a step in the right direction (pun intended) for physical health. But, unless you're very overweight or unfit, walking alone is gentle exercise rather than something which will have a huge impact on your health and fitness.
Once you can walk briskly for an hour each day (whoch should cover 4 miles or so) how about shifting up to other low-impact exercises which will help to boost your fitness, without hurting your neck?
Spinning is the obvious one (I would say bike riding, but as you live on the flat it'll be tough to get a hard workout on an ordinary bike) or perhaps rowing or cross trainer at the gym?
Neck problems allowing, you should also consider c25k. Running will have a huge impact on your health, compared to walking, and you will see the benefits much more quickly. Even running slowly, you can get six miles/10k steps covered in an hour, and doing that most days would have decent results in terms of both mental and physical benefits.

It's fine for losing weight, feeling good etc, but you won't get toned unless you power walk.

If you Google 21 day walking plan you should come up with guides and apps that give an outline/encouragement for building up your walking distance and speed.
You can also get apps which guide you through intervals in walking and weights on your wrists to swing your arms if you want to get that into it.
Check with a physio before using weights though. Good luck and enjoy 🙂

I got a dog just before lockdown. I’m very overweight and I’ve lost a stone in a couple of months just by increasing my walking. My diet is still crap but I definitely feel fitter and have more energy. I’m going to start making small changes to diet next. It all adds up :)

@fellrunner85

Walking is brilliant for mental health and is definitely a step in the right direction (pun intended) for physical health. But, unless you're very overweight or unfit, walking alone is gentle exercise rather than something which will have a huge impact on your health and fitness. Once you can walk briskly for an hour each day (whoch should cover 4 miles or so) how about shifting up to other low-impact exercises which will help to boost your fitness, without hurting your neck? Spinning is the obvious one (I would say bike riding, but as you live on the flat it'll be tough to get a hard workout on an ordinary bike) or perhaps rowing or cross trainer at the gym? Neck problems allowing, you should also consider c25k. Running will have a huge impact on your health, compared to walking, and you will see the benefits much more quickly. Even running slowly, you can get six miles/10k steps covered in an hour, and doing that most days would have decent results in terms of both mental and physical benefits.

Thanks for this yes both unfit and overweight and totally out of routine so want to ease in rather than put myself off by starting c25k and overdoing it right now .

I actually own a spin bike but partner has taken it to his office randomly ... spare room he is using as a make shift gym there .

Thanks for the tips ! Going to get Apple Watch for this 😂

@JoeCalFuckingZaghe

I got a dog just before lockdown. I’m very overweight and I’ve lost a stone in a couple of months just by increasing my walking. My diet is still crap but I definitely feel fitter and have more energy. I’m going to start making small changes to diet next. It all adds up :)

Wish I could get a dog! If I only j wouldn't have to ever return to work . Enjoy I'm very jel!

Dog walker here and it's the only cardio I do. I have a Fitbit which measures my heart rate and try to do an hour a day. I also think it's great for your mental health.

Done 8 miles today wooo first day with the tracker watch on . Thanks for the support

The Pelaton app has some really good fitness walks. They're designed for a treadmill, but could be adjusted for walking outside. I've done 20 minute walks that have left me shattered!