pedometer club/walkers....does walking provide significant weight loss?

[zephyrcat]

I need to lose about 3 stone of empty baby belly and side saddles!

I have started walking on average 6 miles as many days as poss (fast walking) and am just wondering if it will be effective or if I'd be better off going on the exercise bike in the gym?!

I believe walking is very good as long as you do it fast enought o increase your heart rate. I hope so anyway cause it's the only excercise I do!

It is proving to be a good thing as far as making me feel better in myself and with moods etc - but i'm wondering if it is likely to have and results losing weight?!

zephyrcat - 6 miles is fab - how long does that take you? It's generally thought that you need to have your heart rate up for at least 45 minutes to get the best 'fat burning' effect. You should be a little sweaty and out of breath but not so bad that you can't speak. If you can get in the gym too it will help to vary your exercise. You could try intervals on the bike - where you go fast for a short period then slower so pushing your HR up a little higher. If you walk on the treadmill in the gym have the gradient up so that you're putting in more effort.

Thata why I do it, to help my moods, feel shit if I don't get out and about but it has the addded bonus of keeping me fit. I know if you're doing weight watchers walking for so long earns you points so it must burn calories.

I have started to go to the gym and I walk on the tread mill (scared to run in case I go flying) for about 45 mins then use the bikes and the go kart looking thing for about 30 mins each and I have noticed a little weight change.