Is Walking any Good?

Thargor

Hi, Im 28, 5'8 and 14 stone, I want to go back to 12.5 - 13 where I was before I got an office job because Im starting to look a bit chubby now especially my gut hanging out over my belt which it never did before. My diet consists of 2 meals a day, normal factory canteen stuff at lunch, spaghetti bolognase, chicken and chips, roast beef, lasagne etc and then a sandwch in the evening with tea and biscuits throughout the day.

My problem is I'm very lazy and hate most forms of exercise, the only thing I could see myself doing is an hours walk or cycling around the area every evening after work, is there any point in doing that though or should I just go straight for the gym and personal trainer route to lose the stone?

AlmightyCushion

If you're lazy and hate exercise then don't join the gym. You might lose the weight but once you do you'll stop going (or at least go less frequently) and then a few months later you'll be back where you started. Start cutting out or cutting down on the junk food like the crisps and biscuits. Maybe look at reducing the size of the meal you eat at lunch. Either get a smaller portion or start bringing your own lower calorie alternative. Combine this with a bit of exercise like walking more often and/or cycling and you should be able to get the weight down and keep it down.

squod

Walking is fine. Just takes longer to burn the calories. Get into it IMO. Plan your walks, 40+ mins. Use map my ride/map my run or one of the smart phone apps like strata. Keep track of distance covered, time taken and elevation etc.

Did it for a good spell over the last few years. Going back to it when I'm better.
Great way of seeing the country too.

siochain

walking and cycling are a good starting point and better than nothing. There is no point in joining a gym if you hate most forms of exercise, as you won't stick it.
But I would say the most important think to address first is

Thargor wrote: »

My diet consists of 2 meals a day, normal factory canteen stuff at lunch, spaghetti bolognase, chicken and chips, roast beef, lasagne etc and then a sandwch in the evening with tea and biscuits throughout the day.

Thargor

I drink a lot of milk, like probably a liter or more a day, its the low fat Aldi brand, is that a major factor in my gaining weight do you think? Also I do drink a lot of water aswell but it always has about 20% sugar-free Mi-Wadi orange mixed in, is that making me gain weight aswell?

Thanks for the help anyway, Im a complete n00b at this as you've probably guessed.

AlmightyCushion

Thargor wrote: »

I drink a lot of milk, like probably a liter or more a day, its the low fat Aldi brand, is that a major factor in my gaining weight do you think? Also I do drink a lot of water aswell but it always has about 20% sugar-free Mi-Wadi orange mixed in, is that making me gain weight aswell?

Thanks for the help anyway, Im a complete n00b at this as you've probably guessed.

All those will contribute to it as they all have calories. The more calories you take in the more weight you will gain.

RidleyRider

If you're motivated to lose the weight then you'll get out there when you can. Baby steps towards exercise. Try different variations as there is hundreds of exercises- they don't just stop at walking, running, cycling and gym. Maybe try a spin class.

Also track your kcals/day. Take off 500kcals/day and exercise and you'll say goodbye to that gut.

Thargor

About how much food is 500 kcals?

RidleyRider

Thargor wrote: »

About how much food is 500 kcals?

That depends on the sort of food you're eating really.

Mr. Rager

500 calories off your current diet and you're still going to be unhappy with your body.

You need a complete change to your eating, that just looks dangerous to be blunt. Try to eat 5-6 meals a day instead, with a good source of protein (chicken, eggs, fish, meat) and a good carb (brown rice, brown bread, sweet potato, veg) with each one. Also, cut out the junk and any processed crap and maybe start some light exercise and I'll guarantee you you'll see some great progress.

RidleyRider

Mr. Rager wrote: »

500 calories off your current diet and you're still going to be unhappy with your body.

You need a complete change to your eating, that just looks dangerous to be blunt. Try to eat 5-6 meals a day instead, with a good source of protein (chicken, eggs, fish, meat) and a good carb (brown rice, brown bread, sweet potato, veg) with each one. Also, cut out the junk and any processed crap and maybe start some light exercise and I'll guarantee you you'll see some great progress.

Either way he's gonna have to eat less calories. What you suggested is just cleaner kcals and I agree that they're much better and a far better way of eating but someone not very motivated to exercise is unlikely to follow a strict(ish) diet.

OP- post up you average diet/day. That's the only real way you can get some worthy advice. Sort out your diet and the exercise will just be a bonus.

Thargor

5-6 meals a day is impossible

strokeslover

A couch to 5k program

the groutch

start by eating breakfast, I'm guessing that alot of those biscuits you're snacking on are in the morning

squod

Thargor wrote: »

5-6 meals a day is impossible

500kcal is one big mac.

Rice is fairly low in calorie terms. One large tub of rice, fish, peas and soy sauce would be three small meals.

Commit to one thing, the rest will follow. Start walking. Rain coat on and off you go.

rubadub

squod wrote: »

500kcal is one big mac.

Rice is fairly low in calorie terms.

I always considered rice fairly high. Depends on portion size of course, I worked out I got 460kcal worth of rice from a takeaway, regular size boiled rice you would expect from a takeaway (which is large I suppose but I doubt many would have guessed it is nearly the same kcal as a big mac).

seamus

The best way of getting exercise is to fit it into your daily routine. Walk or cycle into work.

Orla K

Thargor wrote: »

5-6 meals a day is impossible

and totally unnecessary, eat as many meals as you like. It matters more what you eat and how much.

RidleyRider

Eat as many meals as you like as long as they fit into your macro's. Cut out the bickys and chocolate and add exercise. Of course you can have a cheat meal every once in a while. Nobody expects you to be totally religious about it and obviously it's going to be hard to quit bickys and other sh!t cold turkey(which would be a better snack:D).

Thargor

Thanks everyone, is it better to exercise while you're starving and then eat as soon as you get home or does it matter?

seamus

When you're overweight it doesn't really matter that much. It all works out on balance. Exercising while hungry in order to use up fat reserves is really more relevant for athletes looking to make very specific changes to their body composition.

For the purposes of general weight loss, it doesn't matter that much.

squod

rubadub wrote: »

I always considered rice fairly high. Depends on portion size of course, I worked out I got 460kcal worth of rice from a takeaway, regular size boiled rice you would expect from a takeaway (which is large I suppose but I doubt many would have guessed it is nearly the same kcal as a big mac).

Very true. Still better than 4 or 5 mashed spuds w/butter.

Orla K

Thargor wrote: »

Thanks everyone, is it better to exercise while you're starving and then eat as soon as you get home or does it matter?

I don't think that matters too much either. Some people do it some don't, I need a little something in my stomach before I go to the gym otherwise I get a bit light headed. Try both and see which you prefer.