Walking for weight loss

Alexandria

September 12,2019 at 11:55AM UTC

Welcome to Fairygodboss!

We’re the largest online career community helping women achieve their career goals. Gain access to articles, jobs, events, and a supportive network of women and allies. Membership is free, always.

Health experts or FGB’ers with walking experience, has anyone actually lost weight while walking? I haven’t been able to run since my early 20s so lifting and the elliptical have been my go-tos if I’m not taking a yoga class. I recently moved to a city where I can walk a lot more! Has anyone actually had experience with walking to lose some extra weight before? I love walking but not sure if it’s just wasting the time that I should be at the gym.

Why women love us:

Daily articles on career topics
Jobs at companies dedicated to hiring more women
Advice and support from an authentic community
Events that help you level up in your career
Free membership, always

7 comments

Share your insight

Join an authentic community that helps women support each other at work. Share your professional experience or ask for advice — you can even post anonymously.

7 Comments

Join the conversation

AnonymousSeptember 12,2019 at 11:58AM UTC
Yes, aced my physical after a year of walking only. I lost 20lbs and my blood panel was great in all markers. I started at a mile every day, no matter the weather but started dropping weight easily when I walked 2.5-3 miles per day. I’d often walk more on weekends and I kept it at least a 4mph pace.
Like
AlexandriaDecember 1,2019 at 3:36AM UTC
Congrats! That's so exciting!
Like
Carrie TopolskiSeptember 12,2019 at 12:44PM UTC
Absolutely, I was doing treadmill and elliptical and eating right and I lost 10 lbs in 5 weeks. So it's definitely doable. Exercise is exercise. A casual walk probably won't do as much. I tend to take on hills or hiking if I'm outdoors.
Like
Johana TatlowSeptember 12,2019 at 1:35PM UTC
I have lost about 8 pounds with a combo of walking my dog for 30+ minutes every morning and cutting down on desert and meats.
Like
AnonymousSeptember 12,2019 at 2:43PM UTC
Losing weight takes time, but my mom just lost 54 lbs just by eating differently, she started around 215 at age 55. Losing weight is 80% diet, 20% exercise - as they say, so if you're looking to lose weight, in addition to your exercise (I'll add she's lost weight in the past by walking with some challenges/incline) I'd cut out some sugar intake and alcohol (if applicable) .
Like
Lindsey JoeSeptember 17,2019 at 12:25PM UTC
Walking is a fabulous form of exercise!! The key is to achieve brisk walking (which really gets the heart rate up and works those lungs). A good rule of thumb we use in my CDC Diabetes Prevention Program class... 1 mile of brisk walking (~20 minutes) = 100 calories. Hope this helps!
Like
Victoria CrispoSeptember 17,2019 at 2:03PM UTC
Wow, I'm pleasantly surprised to hear such great results from walking even when you're already active! This is so great- I love walking! :)
Like