Last year I went on a random walk near where I live and used the app 'Runkeeper' (it works with walking too) which basically tracks where you go via GPS. When I got back home I checked the app and found I'd done 5 miles. I decided to do that almost every day for about 3 weeks and lost 1% body fat and almost 7 pounds in weight - without even changing my diet.

I remember a thread on the older Clarets Mad board where there was a weight loss thread, where people documented their starting weight and how much they were losing. I wondered if anybody would be interested in doing something similar, with walking 5 miles per day? I'm a big believer that using a gym for losing weight simply isn't needed; especially with it being summer. A friend of mine runs a dog walking business. She says she walks miles every day and hasn't been in a gym in years - she's built like a racing snake!

PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING: Please do not post anything related to jogging, running, sprinting, or jet skiing. This is for walking only.

Walking is excellent exercise

The one a few years ago was when we did the 2 stone challenge to raise money for the youth foundation. I think it was summer 2007.

It takes approx 90 minutes, but well worth it. Spotify + Runkeeper on your phone and you're sorted.

FactualFrank wrote:It takes approx 90 minutes, but well worth it. Spotify + Runkeeper on your phone and you're sorted.

Sadly won't help me. I'm not able to walk anything like that distance

I was an original 2 stone challenge participant and revived it a couple of years back.

I walked up Pendle yesterday afternoon from the Nick.
Not sure I could that each day but it was brilliant and a change from the gym.

I like the idea but for me the timing is not good, my Brother had a heart attack in the early hours this morning and is at RVH Blackpool. I will be backwards and forwards all this week and then on Sunday we are off to the Mother in Laws for a week

It it takes off I will look at joining in early next month before we go on holiday again.

Hope it takes off, good luck.

Swimming is an alternative, non-weight bearing and low impact activity. 30 minutes swimming at at steady pace (a minimum of twice per week) would give similar health benefits along with body/muscle toning.

ClaretTony wrote:Sadly won't help me. I'm not able to walk anything like that distance

Sorry to hear. Do you think this has any potential with regards to raising money or getting more interest? Rather than a set weight loss target, people could post a screenshot off their phone of walking the 5 miles? If you can't walk it, you might be interested in getting people involved? Not sure how the fundraising worked in 2007, but maybe being sponsored for every 5 mile walk completed?

I like the idea but for me the timing is not good, my Brother had a heart attack in the early hours this morning and is at RVH Blackpool. I will be backwards and forwards all this week and then on Sunday we are off to the Mother in Laws for a week

Hope your brother recovers well,JMac,I was well looked after their after surgery a few years ago.

JohnMac wrote:I was an original 2 stone challenge participant and revived it a couple of years back.

I walked up Pendle yesterday afternoon from the Nick.
Not sure I could that each day but it was brilliant and a change from the gym.

I like the idea but for me the timing is not good, my Brother had a heart attack in the early hours this morning and is at RVH Blackpool. I will be backwards and forwards all this week and then on Sunday we are off to the Mother in Laws for a week

It it takes off I will look at joining in early next month before we go on holiday again.

Hope it takes off, good luck.

Sorry John, you must have posted as I was, as I didn't see this until now.
I know the hospital as I drove my Dad there a few years ago. He was then seen at Blackburn in follow up appointments.

I hope it does take off. I'm do the 5 miles tomorrow and report back.

I bought a Fitbit 2 years ago and yesterday I earned my Africa badge for walking 5,000 miles. In that time I have lost 17lbs - not a great weight loss but the Fitbit does encourage me to walk as often as possible.

And once you've built up enough fitness from walking then perhaps give http://www.parkrun.org.uk/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; a go.

3.1 miles (5k) at 9 am on Saturday mornings in parks up and down the country. It doesn't matter how slow or fast you go, but it's something you can enjoy with friends and family.

I've done that Spijed, but due to having bad knees, the reason for me creating the thread is for people who prefer walking or can't run. Actually, fast walking is better than running in terms of weight loss. If you cover a set distance, walking like you're late for work is supposed to be the best speed to go at.

Apart from not being able to walk too far, I also have the problem of any walk from here will involve a climb and descent (I'd be much better off being Dutch I think).

What I used to do, for those who know the area, is walk from the now deceased Bull & Butcher up Crown Point Road to the first cattle grid and from there down Woodplumpton Road to Glen View Road and then back home along there. I'm not sure how far that is, it's certainly nowhere near five miles, but once the weather has cooled down a bit I'll start doing that again.

I need to be a bit fitter and hate swimming so this is the best for me if I can do it.

FactualFrank wrote:. Actually, fast walking is better than running in terms of weight loss.

Sorry, Frank, but that is not a fact.
I'm a fit old bloke and have tried them all. I've been out and done 22 miles on the bike this morning and lost 1lb. I ate lunch and it was back on again.
I've been training for the Camino with Mrs Minnie since last October. We've walked every other day and I lost nothing.
I went out for a 3mile jog, a few days back, and lost 3lb. Running has always been my key to losing weight.
As folk age and get the aches and pains walking is good for cardio-vascular and if you do lose weight it's a bonus.
Don't wish to sound negative as exercise is wonderful. Good luck.

minnieclaret wrote:I've been training for the Camino with Mrs Minnie since last October. We've walked every other day and I lost nothing. I went out for a 3mile jog, a few days back, and lost 3lb.

You've lost water weight. You don't lose 3 pounds in fat (3 x 3500 calories) by going for a run.

Power walking burns more calories than running. You've missed out what I said - over a set distance.

You jog 5 miles. You complete the distance sooner. You walk 5 miles - lower BPM but it takes you a lot longer. Overall, going off the phone apps I've used, you burn slightly more doing a power walk than you do a run.

Apparently, as a general rule of thumb, you burn 100 calories for every mile you run and 50 for every mile you walk.

Spijed wrote:Apparently, as a general rule of thumb, you burn 100 calories for every mile you run and 50 for every mile you walk.

That's certainly not true. For a start, the heavier you are the more calories you burn. But I already know this as I tested it out last year. I burned more calories walking than I did running, over the same distance. I burned more calories walking 5 and a half miles than I did running it.

Anyway, we're going off topic really. I wanted this thread to be one we can use for people wanting to get up off the sofa and get walking and shift some weight. If people wish to run the 5 miles, that's fine.

FactualFrank wrote:That's certainly not true. For a start, the heavier you are the more calories you burn. But I already know this as I tested it out last year. I burned more calories walking than I did running, over the same distance. I burned more calories walking 5 and a half miles than I did running it.

It's a rough guide. This is a good article from Runners World

http://www.runnersworld.com/peak-perfor ... l-you-burn" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

FactualFrank wrote:Anyway, we're going off topic really. I wanted this thread to be one we can use for people wanting to get up off the sofa and get walking and shift some weight. If people wish to run the 5 miles, that's fine.

I agree, it's great that people doing whatever exercise, is a good thing.

Right - I'll give what I posted in post 14 a go from Thursday when it has, according to forecasts, cooled down a bit.

Can someone please come and find me if I haven't posted on here by 10:30 am?

ClaretTony wrote:Right - I'll give what I posted in post 14 a go from Thursday when it has, according to forecasts, cooled down a bit.

Can someone please come and find me if I haven't posted on here by 10:30 am?

Haha! I'll do the 5 mile walk tomorrow and post a screenshot from Runkeeper.

For anybody who has one of the heartrate belts, there's an app called BLE Heart Rate Monitor.

FactualFrank wrote:That's certainly not true. For a start, the heavier you are the more calories you burn. But I already know this as I tested it out last year. I burned more calories walking than I did running, over the same distance. I burned more calories walking 5 and a half miles than I did running it.

Because you were exercising for longer - I would run 5miles in a bout 45mins. It would take me about 1hr 15 at a brisk pace.

If I was to check my calorie burn after 45 mins of walking, running would have burned more calories. Its the time and effort that determines calorie burn combined with how much you weight and how fast your heart beats (effort applied).

clarethomer wrote:Because you were exercising for longer - I would run 5miles in a bout 35mins. It would take me about 1hr 15 at a brisk pace.

If I was to check my calorie burn after 35mins of walking, running would have burned more calories. Its the time and effort that determines calorie burn combined with how much you weight and how fast your heart beats (effort applied).

But that's my point. Which is why I said over a set distance. Obviously running for 20 minutes burns more than walking for 20 minutes.

Here is my evidence of a walk and run of similar distance..

But I'm on about power walking when comparing to running.

A Sunday stroll, sure, a run will beat. When I've done fast walking, the walking has always trumped the run.

FactualFrank wrote:But that's my point. Which is why I said over a set distance. Obviously running for 20 minutes burns more than walking for 20 minutes.

So why have you said the opposite above in that you burned more walking than running for same distance? Sorry just confusing me - not trying to have a pop..

I have been doing C25K so im up for doing a Steps type challenge -

End of the day, the only way you lose weight is by being in a controlled calorie deficit. If you keep your food the same and increase the exercise that will help. For those that struggle then diet alone should wield results

clarethomer wrote:So why have you said the opposite above in that you burned more walking than running for same distance?

Same distance = set distance.

They're both the same thing.

Social Walking:

Well recommended...

Pendle Walking Festival 2017...Sat 12th to Sun 20th August

"Come and join us for one of the UK's biggest free walking festivals.The event starts on Saturday 12th August and ends on Sunday 20th August. There will be guided walks every day to suit walkers of all abilities, ranging from easy walks of a couple of miles to fantastic challenge walks like The Pendle Way, which this year celebrates its 30th birthday. There is also a walk to mark the 400th anniversary of Jonas Moore. Born in Pendle, he was affectionately known as the "Father of time", as he helped set up the Greenwich Observatory, which was responsible for Greenwich Mean Time.

There are so many great walks, so why not come and join in?..."

http://www.visitpendle.com/whats-on/pen ... al-p799190" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The Programme for the 61 guided walks in some of Lancashire’s most beautiful countryside, from the easy to the challenging.

http://www.visitpendle.com/information/download" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Just before Christmas, my best friend's Mum died from cancer. Since then, I decided to do a Half Marathon in her name. My sister, brother-in-law and I chose Edinburgh and completed it three weeks ago.

I used it as motivation for getting myself a little healthier too. I weighed 13st 5lb on New Years Day and I've done quite a bit of running and swimming since. I've got myself down to 12st 7lb, slowly and steadily. Two lbs to go!

J


Ps: The three of us raised over £2000 for Macmillan and my best friend's family's chosen charity. Walking and running is great: you don't need a gym!!!


Well done everyone!!

FactualFrank wrote:You've lost water weight. You don't lose 3 pounds in fat (3 x 3500 calories) by going for a run.

valid point but if i lose 1lb cycling and put it back on with one meal, i lose 3lb running and still only put on the 1lb.
when i need to seriously lose weight i run.

minnieclaret wrote:valid point but if i lose 1lb cycling and put it back on with one meal, i lose 3lb running and still only put on the 1lb.
when i need to seriously lose weight i run.

But I've created this thread to try and motivate people to walk. Not run.

I don't see any reason why people need to bang on about runnnig when my aim for this thread is to get people off the sofa and to walk.

There's always going to be the argument about what's better for you, walking or running. At the end of the day I think the point is as long as you're doing something and doing it regularly then it's all good, especially when it becomes part of a daily routine.

Getting your backside up off the sofa and making the decision to take part in exercise is the hard part.
How you choose to exercise is a matter of personal choice.
Go with whatever's comfortable and puts a smile on your face.

Woonderbah wrote:How you choose to exercise is a matter of personal choice.
Go with whatever's comfortable and puts a smile on your face.

It is, but like I have to keep saying, this thread is for walking. If you like running, that's great, but it's not for this thread. If you like walking and fancy doing 5 miles walking per day, this is the thread for you.

I'll try and do 5 miles walking tomorrow to get the thread going.

I started cycling approx 7 miles a day in Feb, Monday to Friday.

I haven't lost much weight but I do feel fitter and better.
Now I've started exercising I'm going to extend the distance I cycle, possibly join a gym and I'm signed up for a 5k fun run/walk with inflatable assault course and 'Zombies' to avoid.

More of the same next year too, because I need to lose about 5 stone overall.

I have just bought a fit bit and am syncing it into my phone and laptop.

I walk at least 5 miles a day at a mile per 9 minutes. But I will normally walk many more but have an awful appetite (haven't eaten yet today) and cannot afford to lose any weight. I think that I need to learn to enjoy eating before walking.

I'm not sure what's going to be the greatest challenge.

To keep this thread on walking (not cycling, running or swimming but walking), or actually doing the 5 mile walk.

FactualFrank wrote:I'm not sure what's going to be the greatest challenge.

To keep this thread on walking (not cycling, running or swimming but walking), or actually doing the 5 mile walk.

The former by the looks of it which is a shame.

ClaretTony wrote:The former by the looks of it which is a shame.

Added a note to the bottom of original post. Common sense isn't common, but let's hope enough can be squeezed out to fuel the thread.

I have played Sunday League football all my adult life up to last season (am 56 now) but my knees are now too shot to run. In fact I made my knees worse by running a couple of miles every day through last year. and am now waiting for some keyhole to sort out. I've now opted for walking (around 5 miles a day) instead and it's certainly easier on the knees as it doesn't put the same impact on the joints. I walk every chance I get ..you have to if you have a sedentary job....and enjoy it. If I didn't enjoy some "bad food" so much I reckon I'd lose weight but as it is it at least keeps me steady.

Stalbansclaret wrote:I have played Sunday League football all my adult life up to last season (am 56 now) but my knees are now too shot to run. In fact I made my knees worse by running a couple of miles every day through last year. and am now waiting for some keyhole to sort out. I've now opted for walking (around 5 miles a day) instead and it's certainly easier on the knees as it doesn't put the same impact on the joints. I walk every chance I get ..you have to if you have a sedentary job....and enjoy it. If I didn't enjoy some "bad food" so much I reckon I'd lose weight but as it is it at least keeps me steady.

Nice work. Do you have any goals? It's not always about losing weight, it can also be losing body fat % or just feeling better about yourself.

Personally, I need to lose body fat % and lose around 7 pounds. My 'fighting weight' is around 12 stones 7.

Tybfc
No wonder you can't afford to lose any weight if you're walking at that pace
That's more running than walking lol

JohnMac wrote:I was an original 2 stone challenge participant and revived it a couple of years back.

I walked up Pendle yesterday afternoon from the Nick.
Not sure I could that each day but it was brilliant and a change from the gym.

I like the idea but for me the timing is not good, my Brother had a heart attack in the early hours this morning and is at RVH Blackpool. I will be backwards and forwards all this week and then on Sunday we are off to the Mother in Laws for a week

It it takes off I will look at joining in early next month before we go on holiday again.

Hope it takes off, good luck.

Best wishes for your brother, JohnMac. I hope things are going well for him. I had heart attack 15 months ago, age 62. Walking/exercise have been a big part of my recovery. Cardiology consultant told me last week I can start playing 5-a-side again. (I had heart attack when playing 5-a-side). I now do a lot more walking - measured in kilometres rather than miles, partly because it gives me bigger numbers and partly because that is my phone's default setting. 6km/hour is a regular hour's walk. I changed my diet as well as getting a lot more regular exercise. At one stage I was down 13 kg (= 2 stones) - some of this has now come back, but still down around 10% from early last year.

5 miles = 8 kilometres. I'll see if I can extend my route. Maybe I won't get there every day. Also, enjoying playing with my 16 weeks old granddaughter.

Just get a dog. At least 1200 mile a year.

john'sroseyspecs wrote:Just get a dog. At least 1200 mile a year.

A bit more to take into consideration than that. Like I already mentioned, my friend runs a dog walking business, but she also picks up seventeen pounds of **** per day. A dog is for their life, not because you want to lose weight.

I'll lead by example. I'll do 5 miles and report back.

minnieclaret wrote:valid point but if i lose 1lb cycling and put it back on with one meal, i lose 3lb running and still only put on the 1lb.
when i need to seriously lose weight i run.

So basically you're trying to say with cycling you can't lose weight, complete and utter horse excrement!

FactualFrank wrote:I'm not sure what's going to be the greatest challenge.

To keep this thread on walking (not cycling, running or swimming but walking), or actually doing the 5 mile walk.

if you want to lose weight reduce your calorie intake. walking won't do you any harm but it takes a hell of lot of walking to exhaust a biscuit.