walking vs running....want your thoughts

so I have been running for months- I lost weight- but I reached a point I couldn't get past

this weekend I started walking on the treadmill for 1 hour in the morning- keeping my heart rate in the "fat burning zone" and I see a difference all ready (I am down 1 lb since saturday)

could this really be working? all this pounding the pavement and I could have been in the gym watching GMA and getting better results?

I do sweat like crazy and walk on an incline- so it's not like it's easy but I don't mind doing it as much

Re: walking vs running....want your thoughts

I'm a wimp with running, I just hate it! But I do walk fast and easily sweat. I hear the very best thing to do is walk at a fast, but comfortable pace and then throw in 30 second sprints every couple of minutes.

Re: walking vs running....want your thoughts

sometimes, I think any change in your routine is a good thing. I always try to keep my body guessing because after while, it gets used to what we are constantly doing. But, I like you, would always push off walking as an "easier" exercise. I trapped myself into a mind set that if I can run, there is no reason I should walk. I just think it's a mental thing for me, I have friends and family who only walk, and they are toned. I say, stick with it. You're making me consider it now too!

Re: walking vs running....want your thoughts

If it works go with it! I wonder though, if it's just your healthy eating habits/workouts (of any kind) "catching up." SOmetimes we hit a plateau and it just takes a bit of time for things to jump start. I say it can't hurt to change things up, but i personally wouldnt only do an hour walking everyday just as I wouldn't do an hour running everyday. I think changing up your cardio/weight training is super important.

Re: walking vs running....want your thoughts

If you hate running, then walk! I know you definitely burn more calories running but if you maybe have more of an appetite after running, you may be taking the extra calories you burn back in. Either way, do what is right for you!

Re: walking vs running....want your thoughts

Re: walking vs running....want your thoughts

walking vs running....want your thoughts

I can't run anymore so I starting walking on the treadmill at the highest incline and fastest speed I could keep up with a few months before my wedding and was suprised what a difference it made in my body. It's all I do now. I used to rotate with the eliptical but now I strickly walk and love it!

Re: walking vs running....want your thoughts

I would try speed walking with interval sprinting and high inclined walking as well. The other thing I did to change things up during 30 min jogs was to jog backwards! It uses different muscles.

I agree with the PP who said increase circuit training (vs weight training).

Re: walking vs running....want your thoughts

I do 3 days of resistance/cardio training leaving a day or two between the resistance training and 2-3 cardio days.

Every 3-4 weeks, my trainer will change up my work outs and that seems to jump start any plateau I hit.

I'm finding the closer I get to my goal weight, the harder it's been to lose despite my intense work out schedule.

Re: walking vs running....want your thoughts

I say walk away!


sidenote: don't trust those heart rate monitors. My max HR is way over what the formulas say. The formulas might work for some, but more often you have to find out on your own what your max HR is.

Re: walking vs running....want your thoughts

When you say you're in fat burning zone, are you basing that on what the treadmill says when you enter in your height/weight or do you have a heart rate monitor? treadmills on their own are not accurate enough imo.

My recommendation would be to do some interval training and confuse your body! 1 minute walking, 1 minute running and so on.

Re: walking vs running....want your thoughts

Everyone's body is different. For some people running is good, others it's walking, some need intense classes or martial arts. My guess for you is that it could be as simple as a change in routine. Or you could be pushing yourself harder with your walking because you enjoy it more.

Re: walking vs running....want your thoughts

It's funny that you posted this because I actually have a harder time with walking than running!

I feel like walking uses your entire leg - front and back, glutes, etc. It just seems like a larger range of motion, while running is primarily your quads. It definitely could be possible that changing your routine could have kick started you into losing more!

I usually alternate .25 mile running with .25 walking on a slight incline and do about 1.5 to 2 miles. I am just getting back into working out though - so you may be at a higher level!

eta - I say stick with what you enjoy and what works for you! :)

Message edited 9/4/2012 11:03:36 AM.

Re: walking vs running....want your thoughts

Re: walking vs running....want your thoughts

I either walk outside for 60 mins

or walk on the treadmill with an incline

I am seriously 1mm away from buttoning 10 year old size 4 jeans- so it's working

(plus eating very heathy, drinking less, it works wraps)

walking vs running....want your thoughts

Thanks for sharing your opinions! I think both are useful, it depends upon you which one is comfortable and useful for your health.