Thread: Does walking really help lose weight? HELP please... some questions need answers

Yes, walking is good aerobic and cardio exercise. In fact, the late Steve Reeves (you know... Hercules?) wrote a book called Power Walking. It was his preferred form of cardio and aerobic exercise.

You may gain some muscle weight, but you will lose fat. Don't be so hung up on the scale. When your clothes start fitting looser, even if you gain poundage, that's success and progress.

The more you walk, the better. Twice a day, if your schedule permits it is excellent. But keep in mind it has to be a brisk walk, not a leisurely stroll. You need to get your heart rate up and your breathing going.

In addtion to a couple of cardio classes each week, I also walk one or two evenings, 2 miles in about 36-37 minutes. I enjoy the walks because I get to spend some time letting my mind wander, or listen to music.

exercise is only part of the solution. make sure your diet is also in check.

ad2 how tall are you? unless you are very short and or young i think aiming for a bodyweight of 100 pounds is extreme. are you anorexic? do you know what your bmi is?

Originally Posted by americandreams2

I thought it would make you gain since if im walking and i will gain muscles on my leg- cause me to gain weight since muscles are heavier than fat...

A pound is a pound. A pound of muscle weighs as much as a pound of fat. By volume, a pound of fat is larger than a pound of muscle.

Walking burns calories, calories are energy. Burning those calories means there is lesser quanity going to be stored inside your body, how do you get something from nothing? If you are losing weight via burning ENERGY STORES, and gaining muscle at the same time, then you are twice over losing bodyfat percentage.

Thats like saying you made money buying a Sony instead of a JVC because the Sony costs more and is therefore worth more. You dont get something back from losing it, that is the reverse of how nature works.

* Increased metabolism
* Burning of energy stores
* Does not equal free gaining of weight

You must take in more than you are losing in order to GAIN weight.

By volume, a pound of fat is larger than a pound of muscle.

I'm 5'5 and weight 106-107ish. My BMI is 17.64 or 17.81

On the subject of walking, I'll have to say it's a good method to lose fat while retaining lean muscle mass. However I would steer clear of training twice a day because of cortisol levels.

BTW, at your height/weight, I'd be more concerned about putting on weight than trying to lose it.

me too, if u are trying to look good too thin is not the way to go. you are already underweight.