power walking vs. jogging?

Is it better to power walk or jog? I have a treadmill (that I wish I had more time to use) and always feel a little guilty when I use it to power walk rather than jog. I worry that my workout won't do me any good-- I still work up a sweat, but I am not sure if it is enough to burn off fat..?

 

I used to power walk and believe me it really did burn off the fat!  Toned my legs  and butt as well!  I, also am going to get back at it but now that I am older it may be harder for me to loose.....you know that menopause thing that you don't have to worry about yet.  I wish that I had never stopped...I was in great shape!  Give it a go.  Does your tredmill have an automatic  incline?  If so ...try giving yourself some hills to walk up....that is great cardio.  I can't jog because of back problems so I can't compare,  but...I do know that power walking is a great low impact fat burning,  leg and butt toning exersise!!   Remember to squeeze those buttocks as you walk and hold in your tummy!!  Let me know how it goes for you...ok?

fanc    

Good for you for doing something!!!   I believe that anything is good enough as long as your burning enough fat...high enough target heart rate for you... 220- age multiply 65-85%.  thats where your heart rate should be while exercising

 

good luck

If you think walking isn't doing you any good, you must have missed the news article on CNN the other day about the man who walked off about 100 pounds:

http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/diet.fitness/0 2/01/weightloss.phill.novak/

Walking is the most popular and one of the easiest exercises to stick with for the long term.  It is low impact and you can do it just about anywhere.  I include walking in my cardio work every day along with the elliptical and stationary bike.  I like it because it is the exercise that I use to end every workout.  It relaxes me, even when I am walking at 4 - 4.5 mph. 

You'll burn fat.  You probably won't burn as many calories as you would jogging, but the impact on your joints is a lot lower.  Anything you can stick with and enjoy is a good exercise plan.  ;-)

I agree with fanc, use your incline first. Sweat only leads to loss of nutrients, don't worry about it so much. The key is doing something.

 Good question- My friend's sister is a personal trainer/professional body builder and she said that speed walking what she suggests for people who are wanting to lose weight. It's not as hard on your joints is I think her key reason she suggests it. I think it's a pretty good idea if your heavy now  and feel later on that your just not getting the work out you want, can always interval train. walk jog walk jog so forth.  I've been doing that to build up some endurance and I've been able to go from not being able jog more than a min to 15 min. stints of jogging in about 2 months. I have a goal to be able to jog a 5 k but, I've got a lot of time between now a my race about 6 months. If you don't have that kind of goal than  keeping in your target heart rate and walking is a good idea. I like it because it gives you something to think about while your on the treadmill sometimes looking at the clock or listening to music can get kind dull so, it's just something else to focus on. Good luck.

 

YES! Walking did it for me lost 53 lbs and working on my next 50 As soon as this rain stops...I'm ready for a long walk.