Walking vs running

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Running is best for quick weight loss, it burns more calories. But walking is better for sustainability, it’s easier to maintain walking everyday. Go for a run whenever you can, walk when you can’t. Every pound is worth 70,000 steps.

I’m in sunny Vegas so I made up a thing called shaderunning. It’s like interval training where I run where it’s shady, walk where it’s sunny. It helps maintain my maintain my heart rate in zone 2 so I always spend 98-99% burning active calories.

@Sheree this is what I did today! Walked a couple minutes, ran a minute or two on and off for about 30 mins. Mostly because I can’t run for long right now 😂 what’s zone 2?

That’s awesome! Most people can’t run longer than 2 minutes without needing a break, so training for Zone 2 can help you push through closer to an hour. Zone 2 is low intensity cardio that uses about 60-70% your max heart rate. 138-141 is mine and I’ve noticed tends to be close to the average for others my age, but my Apple Watch shows me when I’m in zone so it’s easy to track. All you do is try to maintain and regulate keeping your heart in zone. You can also burn a lot in zone 3, but it’s harder to maintain because it’s a higher heart rate, our bodies feel it, and it’s less safe for the heart. But in zone 2 you burn calories rapidly and can maintain a conversation during the exercise. If you can learn to maintain it while walking it helps burn through old fat stores. Everyone can get there, but you have to train to find the zone and then stay there.

I burn just as many calories walking postpartum as I use to burn running! I was shocked to discover this and relieved as it’s been a slow transition back into getting in shape

Someone once told me that running increases your appetite where is walking doesn’t and I noticed that difference because I could only walk after my two pregnancies for a long time. So running is good but it does make you more hungry so it depends on how strict do you want to be with your calorie intake and hunger pangs. Walking was effective for me, but I had to carve out at least one hour five times a week to see any difference .

Personally, walking has been harder for me to stay consistent with since it doesn’t give me the same rush that running does. If you have always been a runner you might have the same issue. However, you 100% can get back in to running if that’s what you want to do! Consistency and patience is key. Took me a while to accept that my body was just very different now but once you do you’ll set new goals and it will be great

@Mary I definitely chase after that runners high. The elliptical and cycling can also give me that, but once you know the feeling…it’s like a craving. But I haven’t always been a runner, and I do believe everyone can get there if they train for it.

I don’t run- it’s high impact & terrible for ankles and joints in general but it will burn belly fat quickly. I use an elliptical. I can’t run anyway due to my ankle & never would be able to, but get plantar fasciitis immediately if I try to run & shin splints quick too. It’s just not worth the injuries, but biking & the elliptical are both much less stressful on joints. Walking is great too but will not burn the calories as quickly obviously.

My advice as a trainer before, do a quick sprint outside your house, 5 times back and forth then rest for 2 mins then do it for 3 times. This is the best cardio and can build up your glutes and abs.