Could I be walking too much ?

**Pretty_Outdoors** · 10-23-2010 11:38 PM

Hello,

Could anyone here tell me if I could possibly be walking too much ?
I started walking just a few months ago in August. I am now walking 3 hours everyday.
I have lost 62 pounds as of today. My feet have blisters and my legs ache during the night.

I want to lose 15 more pounds. I'm eating 5 smalls meals a day and drink water through out the day.

Any suggestions or information would be so very appreciated.

Have a wonderful Day !

Sherry Reichert
Pretty_Outdoors

**sourpuss** · 10-24-2010 08:08 AM

Congrats on your weight loss, that's wonderful!

Invest $80-$100+ dollars in good shoes and socks to start. Are you stretching after? Walking can sometimes be hard on your body, but not so hard that you have to stop. It would probably help your body (and your goals) to go out for 2.5 hours and spend 15-20 mins of your walk jogging. Start by adding in 1 minute intervals of jogging, then back to brisk walking. Do that for a couple of weeks and then work on jogging for longer and making your rest time shorter. You can get a better workout in a shorter amount of time this way.

When you're done with your walk, spend a good 10 minutes stretching and rubbing your legs.

**WildChild** · 10-24-2010 08:50 AM

I agree with that ill fitting shoes are probably the problem. My solution would be different - go minimalist. Runing/walking shoes over support the foot and are the cause of many injuries and stresses including shin splints, bunions and blisters.

The stretching after is excellent advice. Check out Classical Stretch. Her program is designed to create long lean muscle rather than short bulky ones, much more attractive IMO.

**Jennie_F** · 10-24-2010 10:31 AM

First of all: It's awesome that you already lost 62 pounds! Congratulations!!

I also would recommend that you get some good shoes. Most of the time the problem is that your shoes are too small. You should buy shoes that are at least one size larger than your regular size because your feet swell when you run/walk.

But honestly? 3 hours a day is waaaay too much. You should think about changing your workout routine: Do some cardio interval training for 20-30 minutes and add strength training exercises (if you haven't done that yet). To keep the weight off you need muscles that help you burn more fat. You won't get those muscles from walking.

**WhyWait** · 10-24-2010 10:42 AM

Hi!

I first want to say congratulations on the 62 lbs gone!!! That is amazing journey already.

I agree with pretty much everything above. Get good shoes. And work on HIIT training (walk 2 minutes, run 1 as an example). Start changing things up. Or maybe even add in a day or so of resistance work, and that is not as hard as you think either.

I also trained for and ran a marathon. During that, I would have long training days, followed by rest days. I ran 3-4 days a week at various miles (time). But, one thing is always have dry shoes! Consider maybe taking every other day off as a rest day, and do something different on the off days? If your walking that much, consider a second pair of shoes and make sure to rotate them so they really dry out. This may help blisters. Personally, I'd take some time off, a week or 2 and let yourself recovery good.

**Shadow38** · 10-28-2010 08:01 AM

Why Wait has very good points, as do others. Rest days are just as important as work out days. And a little diversity is a wonderful thing. Personally, I run 4 days a week and strength train two days a week and take one day completely off. You need to let your body recover. Good shoes are important. You might want to start tracking the mileage on your shoes. I know that the typical runner will get 300-500 miles on a pair of shoes. I expect walkers are similar. When you start getting aches and pains, it usually means your shoes are done. I suggest a new pair of shoes, some different types of exercise at least every couple of days and take a day off once a week.

Congrats on your progress!

**Beautiful Disaster** · 11-01-2010 09:47 AM

If you can't afford new shoes, (and really even if you can) you can buy little cushions for areas on your feet that are rubbing your shoes. I bought an awesome pair of running shoes that I love, other than they seem to rub the sides of my big toes. I use the little disposable calous cushions now and they solve the problem.

Otherwise, I agree with the advice from others. Awesome job on the weight loss. Just switch up your routine a bit or your body will become complacent.