Why do people keep recommending walking for weight loss and fitness?

Weight loss is never simple and success or failure depends largely on the individual. Your question is why is walking recommended for weight loss....

There are several good reasons:

1) Some exercise is better than none. It is of more benefit if you just get out there and do something rather than just stay inactive. For some, anything more strenuous than walking will not be done.

2) While it is true that the harder you work your body during a workout the more calories you burn, there is a major difference in where those calories come from depending on how fast your heart rate is. If you stay between 60 and 65% of your max heart rate (i.e. a lower intensity) you will burn fewer calories overall, but of those calories burned a higher percentage will be burned from fat. At a walking pace it is easier to stay in that "zone". Unfortunately, there is a slight misconception here..... take this example:

Low Intensity - 60-65% MHR

Total Calories expended per min. 4.86

Fat Calories expended per min. 2.43

Total Calories expended in 30 min. 146

Total Fat calories expended in 30 min. 73

Percentage of fat calories burned 50%

High Intensity - 80-85% MHR

Total Calories expended per min. 6.86

Fat Calories expended per min. 2.7

Total Calories expended in 30 min. 206

Total Fat calories expended in 30 min. 82

Percentage of fat calories burned 39.85%

So while you burned 50% of your calories expended at lower intensity from fat, you still only burned 73 cals vs. 82 cal at higher intensity.

I hope this makes sense for everyone.

1

Actually there is plenty of evidence that walking gives you a great cardiovascular workout. It's free, suitable for all ages, and it's great for losing weight, it's especially good if you walk at a fast pace where you feel slightly out of breath. If you really want to work out your legs and bum then try walking up a big hill - you can really feel the burn. Swinging your arms as you walk - especially if you carry a small weight in each hand is also good way to help tone up your arms. If you did that for around an hour each day you would become very healthy. You can also change the route to keep things interesting, walk with a friend, or even listen to music. It's great fun. :-)

Because it works! WALKING is the only exercise I did when I was on Weight Watchers, and I successfully lost up to 2.8 pounds a week. I DID get Fit, and I am VERY Proud of it. Walking is the best exercise for those who are just Begining to get into a diet and exercise program. At the time I was 204.8 pounds, and lost 20 pounds in two months. I think I achieved my goal.

walking is perfect for weight loss, its recommended to people who are not used to doing any sort of exercise whatsover, it is a great starting point. There is no way that obese people can go straight from doing nothing to doing squats, barbell presses, curls and leg extensions, it's just not possible. So the easiest way to get them started on the road to fitness is to get them walking. Add the muscle mass gain workout plans later

it really depends on how active the person was before. if he sat on the chair all day and only walked to open the fridge then yes...it can make a deference (a very slight one). the thing is that when people say that you must walk they don't mean...to walk like your window shopping. they mean walk fast...or at least fast enough to get your heart beat going. for example i walk/jog. that's like walking a bit less than jogging if you get what i mean. in order to lose weight people should get a proper workout though at least 3 times a week. that is the healthiest and fastest way to lose weight.

Because it cheap :D

Bike

Using the manual program, enter your workout time as 30 minutes and choose appropriate level

5 Minutes: Cycle at a comfortable pace. PE=5.

5 Minutes: Raise level several increments and decrease a level every 30 seconds. PE=6-8.

5 Minutes: Cycle at comfortable pace. PE=5.

5 Minutes: Raise level higher than before and decrease a level every 30 seconds. PE=6-8

5 Minutes: Cycle at comfortable pace. PE=5.

5 Minutes: At current level, increase a level each minute. PE=7-8.

Calories Burned: 245 (based on 140 lb person)

Well if people walk enough they can eventually lose the weight. People like walking because it's a low impact exercise or they can walk for a long time.

I think its either :

A) They are to lazy to do anything else so they figure if they do something as simple as walking down the street then they will feel better about themselves

or

B) I suppose walking is better than sitting in front of the tv eating bags of potato chips... so if they're willing to at least do that then all power to them.

or maybe its just that walking helps you more mentally and emotionally. Maybe its just a small baby step to introduce them to working out and get them excited about fitness

who knows....

chew calorie free gum for 9 hours