Walking as exercise - how fast is enough?

[Marika]

What you're doing sounds great! I'll second what Rosie said. Although, don't obsess over/watch your heart rate. Some women think they need to hit 140+ bpm, and freak out if they drop below this... that is SO Martha! Just make sure you sweat, that it's challenging, but that you can keep it up for an hour, and that you get in your 5-7 days per week!

Well, about sweating - I do get warmer during the walks but it's only between 1-5 degrees celcius here (freezing!) so the sweat isn't really flowin from my forehead ;-) Wish I'd be in a warmer place and could enjoy my walks a bit more. Now I most days just wanna get the done. I a few weeks we'll have springtime here, then I might hopefully see some sweat

I do have a heart monitor but have decided NOT to use it. I am obessive enough as it is

[maidentomother]

In regards to skipping breakfast, try doing it gradually. Each day wait a little longer before eating, even just by 15 min. It takes time for your body to get used to missing that meal. Also when you feel very hungry in the morning, have a hot beverage - tea, coffee, even broth - it really helps fill the empty feeling in your stomach.

[LilithWiser1979]

Haha, well of course you can't worry that you're not pouring sweat in freezing weather! Just make sure it's something that's challenging for you, but not so challenging that you can't keep it up for an hour. A lot of successful pink swayers were just speedwalking or spending an hour on the elliptical (which is what I'm hoping for!)

[Kelissi]

Right now I'm moderately active - yoga and running after two boys - so I think that 6 weeks before we start actively TTC (it's soon! Eek! Yay!), I'm going to start the C25K workouts, which usually take 25 minutes or so, and then walk (fast!) for another 25 afterwards. Maybe do 2 C25K sessions in a row if I'm feeling good, but it seems like a manageable way to get in the amount of exercise without ramping up too slowly. Having done C25K before (and stopped because we are in the Snow Belt and it gets really stupidly cold in winter), I know that after these workouts I am definitely tired, but in a way that feels good, not in a way that is overwhelming and stressful and "oh no I really don't ever want to do that again."

[Kelissi]

Oooh, maybe I'll alternate and do an hour on the elliptical so that I can alternate running days and don't end up overstressing my legs!

[atomic sagebrush]

I think that's a good idea. MOre than one person has ended up injured and can't continue with exercise.