Can you lose weight with walking alone?

Hi Friends! 

A question I get all the time, especially from women over 40, is 

“Is it possible to lose weight with walking alone?”

The answer is yes!  And, the strategy for women that is more common than you think.  

While I love a good run, I realize a lot of women my age are having mobility problems. (achy joints, constant pain, and most of all, low energy).  So, the idea of “going for a run” just isn’t in the cards.

But, I personally know women who have reached their goal weight without ever incorporating high intensity cardio.  More than that, it’s VERY popular in the body building/bikini world to make zone 2 cardio (WALKING), their primary cardio to get lean enough to step on a bikini state.

Walking is one of the most underrated tools for weight loss. It is low stress, easy to recover from, and something you can do every single day without burning yourself out. For a lot of women, especially those who feel tired, inflamed, or overwhelmed, walking is the perfect place to start.

I’m currently traveling for a food blogging conference.  I’m the type of person who likes to be early to the airport, and I don’t mind sitting around until boarding time.

But yesterday, I decided to arrive early and get my “workout” in while waiting. So, I started my Garmin watch and walked to every hallway end of the Salt Lake City Airport (round trip).  It was exactly 3 miles, and took me 1 hour! It was great! 

Consistency matters more than intensity when it comes to exercise for weight loss.  (read my post here about how consistency is more important than intensity!) 

A 20 to 40 minute walk most days of the week beats the occasional run followed by several days off. Steps add up. Calm movement done regularly adds up even more.

This is why I often encourage women to stop asking, “Is this enough?” and instead ask, “Is this sustainable for me right now?”

If walking feels doable, enjoyable, and something you can stick with, that is a win. You can always layer in strength training later. You can always increase steps later. But starting with something you will actually do is powerful.

If you are walking consistently and tracking your food honestly, you are not wasting your time.

I would love to hear from you. Are you currently walking as your main form of exercise, or are you trying to figure out where to start?

Hope you enjoy!

Amy Roskelley 

My Salt Lake City Airport Walk!