Walking for exercise

[flibbertigibbert]

Since starting a full time job my gym usage has stopped. Going to the gym after work means taking a longer tube journey home, and the gym gets absolutely packed in the evenings.

I've walked home from work a couple of times - it's 4.5 miles and enough to make my legs ache a bit. I'm thinking of using walking as my main form of exercise rather than going to the gym. Is walking 4.5 miles 4 times a week a good enough workout to help me lose the 3 stones I need to lose?

I think that walking is the best exercise. I walk everywhere and i do believe that it helps to maintain my weight. You will also end up with nicely toned legs

Can I suggest that whilst you start walking - you take a small back pack to work and change into running gear on leaving work and jog/walk home and then eventually jog home and then run/jog and be running home.

4.5 miles? I'd think that's enough
Just don't forget to eat well too, when I stopped going to the gym I started eating loads of crap, I just lost that "losing weight" mentality iykwim

I agree about working towards running/jogging home.

In terms of the walking it depends if its power walking or a stroll. Also can you do some exercise at the weekend?

Walking 4x a week on its own is not going to help you loose 3 stone. But neither is 3 gym trips.

'Is walking 4.5 miles 4 times a week a good enough workout to help me lose the 3 stones I need to lose?'

Yes, if you walk briskly. I don't see many fat dog walkers round here: not among those who really stride out and push themselves up the hills.

Yes, that sounds like a good amount of exercise to me - I used to do the same a couple of times a week when I lived about that distance from work (new job is unfortunately more like 15 miles away on the other side of London, so not really feasible any more!) and I'm sure it helped keep my weight down and keep up my general fitness. I also felt less stressed than if I'd been crammed on a crowded train, the walk was a chance to unwind and put the day behind me. I saw some beautiful sunsets that I would have missed otherwise as well!

I think if you're eating sensibly and doing that walk every day, the weight will slowly and steadily drop off! It might take some discipline though to keep doing it when it's cold/raining/too hot etc, so maybe have an alternative form of exercise you could do on days when walking really doesn't appeal!

I did the gym over the winter and ddint get any benefit from it and didnt realyl enjoy it so I have started it up again now its lighter nights and I lovwe it espcially when you have been sat in an office all day it helps to clear your mind as well . Sunday I walked 8km

I have joined slimming world as well this week so hopefully I may get somehwere as I have gott o get these legs and thighs toned

Would add one caveat - pay close attention to the state of your shoes and feet. Take out any small stone you get in your shoe immediately, and make sure nothing rubs on the soles of your feet - this happened to me when one pair got a bit old and worn out and I ignored it. I developed planar faciatis (inflamation of the muscle running along the sole of the foot) and it took a year to get better. It came back again a few years later, and I realised that I had been doing brisk walking on pavements. I have had to train myself to put my feet down more gently, and make sure my shoes support me well. I try to walk on grass or paths where possible. Being overweight puts more stress on the feet as well.

I was fifty when this first happened to me, maybe it's more likely as you get older.

Would you not consider getting a bike? I used to find maintaining and loosing weight a lot easier when I was cycling for twenty minutes three to six times a week. It's also more enjoyable than walking I find. I did not bother with any special gear but having a few hills involved helped.