Multiplicity1's Journal, 20 Apr 10

I think you said it Andrea, summer is coming and its great to get out for a walk. Maybe use the gym in the winter. I am the same way, if I have to go I don't want to. A walk can be anytime and it just feels good to be in the fresh air. Save your money for now and rethink the gym for those long winter days :) 

Thanks Lenny - that's just what I was thinking! You must have been reading my mind. 

I am the same way with working out. This time of the year give me a head set and I can walk for miles..Very relaxing...listen to the good ol rock and roll and think of all the good ol days when the song plays. 

Can you get a pass that you pay for by the visit? I've found that is much cheaper for those of us that won't go to the gym that frequently.  

Good morning Andrea. Good points above - and especially the one about seeing about a day pass for the Y. That really makes sense. But really, if you are more likely to work out at home, then by all means cancel the membership. If something is a dreaded chore, you probably won't do it long-term anyway. That said, according to Dr. Huizenga from the Biggest Loser, walking for a half hour a day, though great for your overall health and well-being, is not sufficient for weight-loss. Bummer for those of us that like walking and we are being heart-healthy, but apparently about half of the Biggest Loser contestants were people who walked 30 - 60 min., three to four times per week prior to becoming contestants. None of them saw any weight loss. Although that surprised me, I thought about two of my friends who walked for cancer. One did the 3-Day and prepared for months. She didn't lose any weight. She was more tone, definitely more fit and better endurance than before training, but even walking 6 days a week didn't result in any significant weight loss. Another friend did a 16 mile (?) walk in San Diego last year for cancer, she prepared for a few months, as well, and she experienced the same as my other friend. Not to discourage walking at all - just a heads up to know it's great for the heart, the mind, the soul...maybe just not great for fat burning. Stick to the DVDs Andrea and take the walks to refresh your soul : ) 

Thanks everyone for your responses. Great ideas like the gym pass. I never knew that walking wouldn't result in weight loss. Definitely inspires me to those DVD workouts.  

Andrea, I think that what the walking does is boosts the metabolism, and that combined with the diet does help to promote weight loss. My mom did a walking program, where she walked 6 miles a day and lost quite a bit of weight in the span of a summer. Maybe the results are different for different people. I know that when I walk my weight loss increases. You need to do what is best for you, and if you don't like the gym (neither do I), then by all means use your DVD's but don't discount walking as a means of exercise. If done properly, it can increase muscle tone, burns calories, and is a great cardio workout. If you want to know what I mean by wlaking "done properly", watch the movie "Walk, Don't Run". Nice little romantic comedy with Tim Hutton. Whatever you decide, good luck. We are right here cheering you on!! 

I have to disagree some.. I have a cousin who was a bit overweight her whole life.. in her late 20s she changed jobs to something that wasn't far from home and that was good b/c her car was kinda a piece of crap and often acted up on her.. she walked to and from this job and packed her lunch most days and over the course of a year lost 65 lbs.. she says she did no other working out just walking everyday and it was only about a total of.. 8 miles a day b/c it was a little over 3 something there and the same back. so... I have seen walking make others smaller.. My mom and dad for the past month go for a walk everyday after my dad gets home from work and I have seen both of them look a little leaner.. This is just what I have observed.. I think any kind of physical activity more than what you have been doing is going to do something for you.. in some way. Maybe my family is just a fluke against the norm.. b/c that would make sense.. we're all nutty. lol! 

Thanks I have been losing well and mostly I have just been walking. I lost 5 lbs. last week, 1.2 lbs. at my official weigh-in yesterday and another 1.3 lb. today. 

Hey, check this out. Walking is wonderful for your health. http://thevictoryproject.msn.com/Articles.aspx?article=23757771&source=msn&GT1=25065 

My sister also lost quite a bit of weight with walking a dieting. She didn't do any other type of exercise. So I say keep up the good work. And do what you will stick with. No point in trying to do a routine that you don't like and won't do routinely. By the way you are doing great. 

Hi Andrea, I walk everyday for 1 hour and I agree save the gym when winter weather comes in.congrats on your weight loss