Is walking good for losing weight?

[CatAnnoyance]

Clueless here. I had a baby 12 weeks ago, and although I didn't gain too much weight during pregnancy I have gained a bit since - breastfeeding has made me constantly hungry and I've been snacking on the wrong things.

As well as ditching the biscuits and shit food/snacks, I've started to walk with the baby in the pram, aiming for 10,000 steps per day. But I've read on other threads that walking isn't necessarily good for weight loss and instead just ups your fitness levels.

Has anyone lost weight through daily long walks??

With the baby I am struggling for alternative ways of getting exercise during the day.

Any tips would be great.

Walking is great for you. I have lost weight through careful diet and long walks. More importantly I think its really important to have some peace of mind, which walking with your baby will give you, and not to over-exhaust yourself. Good in the long term for fending off osteoporosis too. I can't think of any reason not to do it :).

Walking is great for overall fitness but not so much for losing weight (you might as that's his I started ) but it's a much longer process that way.

If you do nothing at present, walking 10000 steps will help with fitness and weight. It's about 4.5 miles for me and about 400 calories. Do it as fast as you can do your heartbeat is raised. Also seek out hills.

You won't burn that many calories by walking to be honest and 10000 is the minimum you should walk for overall health, not a particularly high amount.
Of course it's good for you and will burn more calories than sitting down but you need to reduce calorie intake plus do cardio exercise if you want to really lose weight

1000 takes me an hour and a half on extremely hilly routes or an hour and 15 on the flat.

Yes it will give you the basic level of fitness needed to be healthy. If you are particularly unfit and large it will probably make a big difference though. If so, the first two weeks might be hard work.

For someone who exercises daily (running fast, swimming constantly), it would add to fitness a little but not have a huge impact. It would still burn calories though.

Walking at 3.1 miles per hour plus registers on my misfit fitness trackeras intense avtivity and burning extra calories

Walking is fantastic for weight loss. Iv lost a lot of weight over the years ( I'm talking stones ) and walking was my only exercise. It's free and really helps as a stress buster too

To lose weight I walked each day and used the child in the pushchair for resistance. We walked to the shops daily about a mile and a half with hills, it was a great help. We both enjoyed it ..

I agree, walking is fantastic. Keep on doing what you're doing with your diet too, you'll be fine. I lost around 3 stone doing this. Kept it off too.

Poster saying that it doesn't get your heart rate up, it does if you walk faster. It's a more natural and doable exercise too, more likely that you'll keep it up long term, as it's easier to incorporate into your everyday life.
Some people over analyse and complicate things too much, keep it simple.

I'm approaching 4 stone off with walking and calorie counting. I've downloaded some running music and have that on as it keeps my pace up. If you can include some hills and off pavement bits that helps too.

plus do cardio exercise if you want to really lose weight Well, as many posters have proven this is not necessary, if you enjoy it then great but not everyone does so.

Yes walking will help in every way. As briskly as you can. Good luck.

I've almost lost 1stone with just walking and cutting out snacks! My main meals aren't the healthiest, but I've stopped snacking and only eating fruit.
I think I've hit a bit of a wall now, as don't seem to be losing any more - but it's definitely a great way to get outdoors, clear your mind and start losing weight!

Ive just walked 1.1 mìles to the station at 3.1 mph average and both my phone and my misfit ray clocked around 150 calories

Brilliant... thanks for your responses, it's really helpful! I think I will stick to the 10,000 per day and better diet for now and see how I get on. Once I'm a bit fitter I may look at other exercise options that I can do without the baby, but for now walking seems like a good option to kick start it as I can easily incorporate it into my day by taking the baby out. Thanks everyone.

Even if you don't lose any weight while doing it, I reason its better than doing nothing. Its also good for mental health. I do a lot of walking, though not as much as before, and need to up the amount and pace as I have plateau'd.
My local park has a mum and baby fitness session happening there once a week. The mums do their exercises using their pushchairs, and then run around the park with them. It looks great fun, and might be worth seeing if you have the same in your area.

Good for slow, steady weight loss. You are unlikely to injure yourself by overdoing it and great for mental health. Human beings are meant to walk a lot if possible.

Really great to read all these positive posts. I also should have mentioned In my pp I truly believe walking helped me beat pnd. Iv been up and down with my weight all my life and have also worked in the weight loss industry. Im now 42 and looking back ( and moving forward ) the answer is eat less move more. It's my mantra good luck op and everyone else

It's a no brainer really, good exercise and fresh air for you, and chances are the baby will sleep too.

Bargain.