Walking to lose weight and tone....distance or minutes??

[marshallandcartersmo]

Which is better, walking a certain distance or walking a certain amount of time? I'm looking to lose about 10 pounds and tone up. I've been casually walking, but ready to kick it up a notch.

TIA

 

[goodeats]

For tone, I think hills are important. Supposedly, you burn the same number of calories whether you run a mile or walk a mile. The walking will just take you longer. I'd take whatever time you have and try to go as far as possible. Gradually upping your distance and 'incline' as you get stronger.

 

[marshallandcartersmo]

For tone, I think hills are important. Supposedly, you burn the same number of calories whether you run a mile or walk a mile. The walking will just take you longer. I'd take whatever time you have and try to go as far as possible. Gradually upping your distance and 'incline' as you get stronger.

I have hills in my subdivision--so I'm happy to hear that they are important---though painful!!

 

[wdw4us]

Hi: Last year when I was training the the 1/2 marathon I did a lot of miles and some hills. I lost about 7 pounds but should lose a lot more. Did the marathon and decided that if I was to lose weight, I had to watch my diet. I joined WW and have now lost 12 pounds.

You sure will be toned tho and you will feel GREAT too. but for me, weight loss had to be less calories - all that working out did not take off the weight but merely moved it around a bit.

Good luck.

denise

 

[marshallandcartersmo]

Hi: Last year when I was training the the 1/2 marathon I did a lot of miles and some hills. I lost about 7 pounds but should lose a lot more. Did the marathon and decided that if I was to lose weight, I had to watch my diet. I joined WW and have now lost 12 pounds.

You sure will be toned tho and you will feel GREAT too. but for me, weight loss had to be less calories - all that working out did not take off the weight but merely moved it around a bit.

Good luck.

denise

Great point.
The route I've planned for tomorrow is just a mile, but has two big hills on it. I guess I'll start with that route and adjust if needed later.

 

[kristilew]

Definitely time. For the first 20 minutes of your walk, your body is burning glyogen (sp?) - basically using up your blood sugar for energy. It is only after 20 min of sustained raised heartrate that you start burning FAT!

At least that's what someone told me years ago. I've always walked for health, and bumped up my time (from 30 to 60 min) when I need to lose weight. Works every time.

 

[marshallandcartersmo]

Definitely time. For the first 20 minutes of your walk, your body is burning glyogen (sp?) - basically using up your blood sugar for energy. It is only after 20 min of sustained raised heartrate that you start burning FAT!

At least that's what someone told me years ago. I've always walked for health, and bumped up my time (from 30 to 60 min) when I need to lose weight. Works every time.

Thanks! My neighbor and I walked about 2.8 miles today, took about 45 minutes. I thought I would !! We're going to meet 4-5 days a week, sticking to this route. Hopefully I'll see some results.