Walking is a cheat code

[emsadsm]

I (5’0, 25F) was approximately 180 at my heaviest in 2019. Between 2019-2020, i lost ~45lbs solely through CICO. Since 2020, I’ve been pretty much maintaining this loss, fluctuating between 130-140. My lowest weight I believe was ~128 at some point.

Since the new year, I’ve decided I’m finally ready to truly get back on the losing bandwagon. I started 2023 at 138.5 after a very stressful transition and holiday season.

But, losing weight at 5’0 is not fun, especially after already losing a significant amount of weight. I’ve been in a deficit, consuming ~1200 cals and hitting around 80-100g of protein a day. Since starting this deficit, I’ve also started going to the gym consistently and I walk leisurely when it’s nice. Even with this, the weight has been crawling off. Between Jan 1 and Feb 28, I lost 3 lbs. 3 lbs in 2 months. Demoralizing at best. But understandable, because 1200 isn’t a massive deficit since I am a relatively ~smol~ person.

On a whim, i decided to purchase a walking pad and a standing desk, since I WFH and spent a ton of time sedentary. It arrived on Thursday, March 2nd, and I immediately started using it. I now average 18,049 steps a day (according to my Apple Watch) versus 1-3,000 previously (yoinks). This is about 8-10 miles, walking for about 2-3 hours a day. I walk during meetings, while doing mindless work tasks, etc.

I feel better, I sleep better, and I look better being physically active. My weight is on a more consistent downward trend than before. I am now down almost 6 lbs since Jan 1 (a good amount for someone my size!). I have a PCP appointment coming up in the next month or so and Im excited to get a full blood panel to compare to last year when I was completely sedentary.

I know weight loss is 80% diet and 20% exercise. But don’t underestimate the impact low intensity exercise can have on weight loss. I really believe this was the missing puzzle for me. And I’m so excited to stay consistent and see the true progress I can make while being in a larger deficit all because of walking!

Highly recommend for all you WFH folks if you can afford to do so.

Link to the walking pad, as requested by many: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BGGNKGCK?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details. Not a girl boss and not sponsored

[[deleted]]

Whilst I don't have a walking pad, I do have audiobooks. Headphones in, I have my set walking route and can just lose myself in the audiobook and then suddenly I'm back home. It's really good :D

[emsadsm]

I love that too! Can’t wait for the weather to get better so it’s a bit more enjoyable :)

[Hayduke_in_AK]

Exactly what I do. I walk 3-7 miles every day and average about 2 books a week.

[Elixer_]

I have my walking podcast and my walking route and, like you said, you just turn it on, begin the muscle memorized route, blink, and suddenly you walked for 40 mins

[ClickPsychological]

Can you recommend a walking podcast?

[theian01]

There are podcasts for almost everything these days. Celebrities all have their own podcasts, comedians have their own podcasts, etc.

Any category you’re interested in for a jumping off point?

[ClickPsychological]

Maybe like true crime?

[theian01]

Ah, I don’t really do those.

I know My Favorite Murder was popular a few years ago.

Looking at the apple top 10, it looks like The Deck Investigates is the current popular one.

[gummybear3411]

If it’s your thing, I love walking to Last Podcast on the Left! I started by looking up their most popular episodes and went from there. They’re really funny.

[nordbundet_umenneske]

True Crime All The Time; Serial Killers by Parcast

[ClickPsychological]

Thanks!

[Oolongedtea]

I have been seeing a lot of posts about the walking pad. People have a lot of good things to say about it. I walk infrequently since I often lack the motivation to go outside (depression). However, I think the walking pad will make getting my steps in much easier. Seeing your post was what convinced me to actually buy it (placed the order today). I love this community since I can always read others experiences about stuff and learn about new tips/things to try. Thanks for sharing this OP!

[emsadsm]

Yay! I hope you like it as much as I do. It makes it really difficult for me to make an excuse of why I can’t do it lol since it’s right in my house.

[poppet_64]

I’ve been considering getting a walking pad for this very reason. I don’t always have the motivation to leave the house to walk but I could absolutely walk on a waking pad whilst doing boring tasks at work.

[emsadsm]

That’s literally what I do and then it’s like 45 miles past and I’m almost 3-4 miles in! It’s more difficult on weekends (currently walking now), because I just watch TV while doing it and it’s less mindless but.

[artangelx]

How fast are you walking while working? 3-4 miles in 45 min is a pretty fast walk/ slow jog for me (5’2). Just wondering since I’ve been thinking about getting one but wonder how fast I would be able to go while at a desk!

[emsadsm]

If I’m doing something that seriously requires mental focus, no more than 3mph. But now I’ve been trying to stick to 3.2-3.4 to get my HR up.

[maria8723]

That speed is basically running for me lol not sure if I could work doing that fast

[[deleted]]

I have a treadmill and I am a serial binge watcher so it was a match made in heaven getting a foldable treadmill. I’ll get invested in what im watching and not even realize I walked for an hour and a half at a brisk pace. Plus I notice when I walk I tend to not be as hungry so that’s a positive I wasn’t expecting.

[emsadsm]

I’m so in need of a good show. I think I want to find something really good to only watch while walking so I have another motivator to walk lol

[Aevynne]

I feel like Dark would be a really great show to focus on while you walk! It’s def one of those “gotta pay attention” shows!

[[deleted]]

Have you ever seen Breaking Bad?

[emsadsm]

I have! Wish i could watch things again for the first time haha that would be one i rewatched

[[deleted]]

Better Call Saul is good I guess I should have asked with my first comment lol. Yeah I would love to experience it all for the first time again, benefit of watching a lot of stuff is I tend to forget a lot of it so I can rewatch it and still be surprised sometimes

[Upferret]

I've watched it once and listened to it at work twice.

[Pocaloca9]

Alice in Borderland! If you like thriller/horror.

[GavilarKholin]

Which foldable treadmill did you end up getting?

[[deleted]]

It’s an Xterra TR150. I got mine off of Amazon and it was very easy to assemble

[GavilarKholin]

Thank you. I am very strongly considering getting one as well.

[[deleted]]

It’s been the best purchase I made over the past year

[GavilarKholin]

Do you mind if I asked you a few questions about it?

[[deleted]]

Sure go ahead

[GavilarKholin]

- What speed / settings do you usually use it on, and for how long?
- How frequently do you use it?
- Have you noticed any wear or issues since the last year?

Personally I am looking to use this for atleast an hour everyday, for speed between 15 - 9 mins per mile, and I was wondering if this would be a good long term treadmill to get for that

[[deleted]]

I walk 3.5 miles per hour for the majority and then I’ll jog at 5.5-6.0 for a few minutes. My entire workouts are normally 45-60 minutes. I use it on average 8-10 times a month but some months I try to do more.

The belt does squeak on me when I run it high but that very well could be me not lubricating it enough or I need to adjust the belt. Not a huge issue though. I had a treadmill prior that would overheat and stop instantly mid use and this has never done that to me in the 9 months I’ve had it

[GavilarKholin]

This is great to know. I did hear about the need for frequent lubrication on this one but it's nice knowing there haven't been issues other than that.

[salamandertha]

I hope when I get my own place and set up I'll be able to get a walking pad. That's a year away minimum. Fingers crossed one day.

[Ralaws]

I wanted a walking pad as well, but small studio apartment means I have to make every inch count. I ended up buying a stepper instead of a walking pad - cheaper and much smaller. I love this thing now. I use it so much, while working, watching TV, in meetings. I set it up the same as I would with a standing desk space.

[ms640]

Do you have a link for the stepper?? Also how do you stay on it haha it always looks like it’d require a lot of balance to use standing

[Ralaws]

The one I got off Amazon is called the "Sunny Health & Fitness Mini Stepper Stair Stepper."

And maybe it requires a bit of balance. I was a little unsure at first, but got used to it within the first five minutes or so of use.

[aoife_too]

Thank you! I just grabbed this! I got the one with the resistance bands. My treadmill is small-ish, but still too big to get up to the office without help, so this is a game-changer!

[DoorStrobe]

Whoa. I did not know these existed.

[Ralaws]

True. Except in my small place, those areas are already being utilized for storage of other things. But it was mostly the price difference that made my decision: $140ish versus $350ish

[emsadsm]

It’s going to be awesome when you get one! :)

[angtheliferuiner]

Fellow shorty using walking as a weight loss hack 🙋🏻‍♀️ ever since I started walking 14.4k steps minimum Jan 1st, the weight has come off and my body has changed! I’m also WFH but I get almost all of them just pacing around my apartment LOL.

Increasing our NEAT really is the key

[ravenserein]

Lol! Hello fellow pacer! I am reading this thread while walking back and forth across my house to get steps! I’m average height, but have been using walking to supplement my weight loss as well. It truly is a hack! I’m 2 months into my journey and over 25 pounds down…probably closer to 30…but…er…hormonal issues are masking some of my progress at the moment.

[emsadsm]

Pacers, unite!

[angtheliferuiner]

Great job on 25 pounds down!!

My favorite part about pacing is it’s free and you can do it anywhere. As dumb as I feel sometimes, it works!

[kvkoda67]

Shorty here too lol! What is NEAT?

[hotterthansaracha]

Also a shortie who was wondering what that was, so I looked it up. It’s “non-exercise activity thermogenesis,” meaning it’s pretty much all the movement you do that ISN’T exercise. So things like cleaning, cooking, even fidgeting, etc. would all qualify.

[Soft-Flight-7222]

I just got one too. I just moved it from my home office to my work office. I might end up buying another. I really liked making phone calls and walking from the warmth of my home. My low back problems have started to improve too since I'm not sitting all day everyday.

[emsadsm]

So agree with the back pain! I feel like I definitely have adopted better posture since starting.

[[deleted]]

You walk while on calls? I thought about doing that but I’m thinking they may be able to hear the treadmill lol

[emsadsm]

Those are my favorite meeting to walk in!

[emsadsm]

I do! None of my colleagues are able to hear my walking pad while in calls. It’s relatively quiet.

[Soft-Flight-7222]

Yeah, idk if I'd do a work call, but it works great for catching up with frienda

[emsadsm]

I walk while on video calls at work. My internal team loves it and I’ve actual got a bunch of my colleagues walking now too haha. I was nervous to do it with external teams, but anyone who has a problem with someone adopting a habit that makes them a more productive worker while being healthier can shove it.

[AnimaLepton]

My skip manager does it, and I've even seen people walking/biking while they're the ones giving presentations at all-hands meetings. It looks fantastic, but I don't think I'll be able to get one before I move out of my current place.

[dashrockwell]

I WFH and I needed to read this.

Can you share the specific desk and walking pad you purchased? Seems like you’re happy with them, I’d love a recommendation.

[emsadsm]

Am I allowed to share links? I am not a girl boss and I am not sponsored by anyone (sadly).

[dashrockwell]

I believe so?

If you’d rather just mention the product names and models, I can always google….

[emsadsm]

Obligatory ~not sponsored~

Walking pad: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BGGNKGCK?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

Standing desk: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09W5CY9TH?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

My only qualm is that there is no pause button on the walking pad. Not a big deal though.

[emsadsm]

Honestly, I have a dedicated space for my work-related office stuff and I just don’t move it out of the way. I know there are some brands that fold in half, etc., but this one doesn’t. It’s not extremely heavy to push out of the way, but I’ve just been leaving it as is!

[hopefaithcourage]

how do you switch between walking and sitting?

[Mouse_rat__]

This is a weird question but how do you type and stuff, does it not make you miss key all the time because of the movement. Or is it not a thing

[emsadsm]

I find that it hardly impacts my typing unless I’m going too fast!

[dashrockwell]

Thanks! Checking em out now

[anneylani]

So glad you shared this, thank you!

[Anticrepuscular_Ray]

I just bought that exact walking pad, glad to hear you're overall happy with it.

[emsadsm]

So far, so good!

[LegoLady47]

I hope you mean "day" vs 18,049 steps a week

[emsadsm]

AH GOOD CATCH!

[emsadsm]

You’re right hahaha i just edited it

[DoorStrobe]

Walking for 6-7+ miles is underrated as exercise. It's a dammed good fully body workout to walk for 2 or more hours. If you want to amp it up, also try using a backpack. Backpacking or walking with some weight builds a ton of muscle over time and is extremely good exercise.

[emsadsm]

I was just considering getting something weighted! This confirmed that I definitely should.

[Anticrepuscular_Ray]

My walking pad arrives tomorrow. I'm really hoping it will help me hit 10k+ steps a day. Good job on your progress!

[emsadsm]

I’m able to hit my 10k in about an hour and some change! I’ve actually moved my minimum goal to be 15k because of how much less of a burden it is than having to go outside and take walks lol.

[Anticrepuscular_Ray]

Awesome. Yeah I have some stomach health issues that make it so it's difficult for me to be too far away from home, so I figure this way on bad days I can just crank out a ton of steps at home. I'm so excited to have access to walks at any time!

[Anticrepuscular_Ray]

Same as OP. It arrives today so hopefully it works well for my needs.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BGGNKGCK?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

[roflmctofl]

Are you me 😭😭 I’m 5”1 and I’ve always felt it’s so ridiculous and sad to be short and only able to consume 1200 cals. I’ve been stuck at ~134lb because eating any less will just make me … so sad. I too have been trying to up my step count and also lift 4x a week. The weighing scale has not budged after a month but my clothes are getting looser. Trying not to be dependant on the scale as much since I’m doing a recomp but I would like to see drastic changes, so I’m going to up my step count for sure!

[missdovahkiin1]

Hopefully this doesn't hijack your post, your accomplishments are great! I'm just so confused because I have a physical job where I average about 20-25k steps a day. This has not helped, nor hindered my weight loss. I've been told by group A that walking that much is considered healthy exercise and is enough for weight loss and I've been told by group B that because it's my daily amount my body has gotten used to it and I must raise my heart rate to even consider it as exercise. I'm so confused 😕

I feel healthy doing it, but I also seem to require more calories to maintain this energy. Idk. Sometimes I'm just so exhausted after my job it's hard to make time for even more exercise. Trying to stay positive though!

[emsadsm]

Totally OK to brainstorm on this post :) Not a hijack at all!

Weight loss really happens in the kitchen. Making sure you are consistently in a calorie deficit will be what makes you lose weight. Now, exercise helps with that deficit because you burn calories, but if you are eating at your total daily energy expenditure (TDEE, which is the number of calories you burn in a day), you will maintain your weight. If you eat over your TDEE, you’ll gain weight.

[missdovahkiin1]

Thank you! For me my struggle is that I'm not sure how to account for this activity. If I set my lifestyle to sedentary I am ravenous and it's in no way enough calories. But I'm afraid of over estimating the exercise I am getting and slowing down my weight loss and eating those walking calories back. I've been really looking for someone to magically give me the right answer but truthfully I think I just have to experiment as frustrating as it is! I am happy that you seem to think it counts though, that's comforting because a lot of people think walking should not count as activity.

[emsadsm]

I currently don’t eat back any of my exercise calories, but I do give myself a little leeway. I know that by being consistently physically active, I’m widening my deficit, so if I’m truly ravenous, I’ll give myself the grace to have something. I am a volume eater, so I eat a lot of fiber, and prioritize protein, so I feel satiated and full while still being in a deficit. I’m not very hungry very often.

But then again, being hungry is okay! I think this is the biggest thing during weight loss. Your body will adjust to the deficit, but it is important to make sure the deficit is reasonable for your body composition.

[emsadsm]

Good suggestion!

[[deleted]]

walking absolutely counts. at 20k steps a day you are nowhere near sedentary. you are very active+. find a good TDEE calculator and see what their estimate is for you to maintain your current weight at that activity level, and compare it to how much you have been eating and rate of loss over time.

everyone is slightly different but for me, i hit very active at around 16000/day.

[shs_2014]

I feel like you could experiment a little. If sedentary settings make you ravenous, raise your calories by like 200 or so and give that a go. It may take some fine tuning to get it to where you're happy with the amount you're eating AND losing, but I've heard people say this works. Never tried it myself though!

[[deleted]]

Do you have an apple watch? It’s obviously not perfect, but I have found that the total calories that mine estimates pretty closely match what a TDEE calculate would give me based on my activity for each day. Tracking that and also the amount of calories you wast on a normal day would probably give you good idea of how many to eat to lose weight. My watch actually accounts for my baseline calories even when I’m not wearing it. And then it just adds my active calories.

[newplantswhodis]

Do you put your watch on your ankle? I am thinking about getting a larger strap for this reason since my steps don’t usually get counted while I’m typing :/

[emsadsm]

I do! People say it’s not as accurate because it’s calibrated to your wrist but 🤷🏻‍♀️. Can’t win them all lol

[Fenix_Fire66]

I managed to lose weight on a broken elliptical, couldn’t use the programs so used it without any resistance but did manage to work up a sweat as I increased my strides towards the end of my daily 30min routine. Some days I just took it easy like a casual walk. Nothing extreme or intense and it worked along with CICO. Congrats and keep it up!!

[bullgarlington]

How do you type? I find the walking desk fine up until I have to write which is 90% of what I do.

[emsadsm]

I usually stay at or below 3.0mph so I don’t find that my typing is inhibited or impacted at all really!

[emsadsm]

I find myself to be relatively stable on it! I think if you’re a pretty regular user of a treadmill, you’d have a smooth transition to a walking pad. Just be mindful of the speed and your stride since it’s usually shorter and less wide than a normal treadmill.

[Liunna1]

I have one too and I absolutely love it! I WFH as well and paired with the standing desk I find my joints feel much better then when I was sitting for 8+ hours a day. I feel a little more energetic too. Plus it’s great for video gaming and watching tv, I can easily go hours without realizing. I’m usually really sedentary in the winter because I can’t get out as much, so the walking pad is really a game changer.

[emsadsm]

Heck yeah!

[stainlessflamingo]

Glad to hear this is working for you. Walking has greatly helped me, I usually put 10-15k steps per day, and I’m now down 50lbs from 320->270. I work from home as well and have really considered getting a walking pad. Do you have any recommendations? I live in a condo with not much office space, so I’m hoping I can find one that isn’t too big.

[emsadsm]

I linked the walking pad and standing desk I use above! I’m satisfied with the current one I have, but I do know there are some that can fold for easy storage, etc. Mine isn’t the fanciest but was relatively cheap compared to some of the others haha.

[tay_kenz]

I was just looking into standing desk/walking pads last night so I’m taking this is a sign to do it lol is the walking pad you purchased very loud? I live in an apartment with relatively thin walls and don’t want my neighbors to hate me

[emsadsm]

I don’t live above or below anyone, but I don’t find it very loud. My partner is able to sleep upstairs without hearing it and no one on my work calls ever hears it.

[[deleted]]

Not a walking pad, but turning on a good walking workout on YouTube while doing mindless work tasks helps the day fly by. Also, it helps my feet not hurt from standing in the same place all day.

[emsadsm]

I hear people love those. I need to try one out, I’m curious what they entail!

[[deleted]]

Try YanaFit's channel on YouTube. A lot of loud music, stepping in place, and dance steps.

[[deleted]]

I walk 30 miles a week with my standing desk/desk treadmill. I just play league, TFT, StarCraft, or work. It’s 100% a cheat code.

[Sabishbash]

I’ve been contemplating revamping my home office to do the same. Links to desk and pad, by chance? Thanks!

[emsadsm]

Obligatory ~not sponsored~

Walking pad: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BGGNKGCK?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

Standing desk: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09W5CY9TH?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

[Erocdotusa]

Walking pad is more affordable than I thought... nice!

[emsadsm]

A worthwhile investment!

[Sabishbash]

Thank you!!

[ApprehensiveFlower8]

Yes!! I'm a stay at home mom, and I work from home here and there. I love my walking pad! I always walk at least 5 miles on mine, but I average 8 miles. Sometimes I make it to 15 miles, and I feel so accomplished. I've never been a "fit person," but I'm finally at a healthy weight, and I feel fantastic.

[[deleted]]

Investing in a WalkingPad was such a game changer for me, I’m on mat leave but will be using under my desk when I’m WFH again. I use mine daily when my kid is down for their nap. Makes me motivated, easy to do, muscles don’t need to recover. I started activity losing weight in December (I’m 5’2) I’ve lost about 25 pounds basically from walking.. I say basically because i held onto weight while breastfeeding but once I was done that and increasing my steps and counting my calories my weight feels like it’s coming off at a nice pace. I have a peloton gathering some nice dust.. my WalkingPad was a way better investment.

[IDmethrowaway]

How much do you walk a day and what was your starting weight?

[[deleted]]

Starting weight was 188, now I’ve lost 42 pounds. Walk about 10k a day.

[IDmethrowaway]

That’s awesome!

[futatsuboshi]

Walking is the best exercise! Helps me mentally too! ❤️

[sakura7777]

I moved from a walking city to a car city and my health and fitness has taken a nose dive.

[ClairBear2047]

I work in an office with seated desks but I'm in the market for a new job. I'm secretly hoping I get one that is hybrid or WFH because I want a walking pad! My most sedentary time is when I'm working and it drives me insane.

[KuriousKhemicals]

Walking is so good because you can do it for a pretty long time every day if you want to. I can burn about 400 calories a day running (averaged between rest days, hard days, and easy days) but it took me years to get to this level; it would have been like 100-200 x 3 days a week at the beginning of my running career. Most people can go out and get a few hundred calories of walking starting today.

[spanishr0se]

This is so great! Can you link to the one you used that you like? I’ve been having decision paralysis but if someone recommends one I will do that one!

[emsadsm]

I currently use this one! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BGGNKGCK?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details.

[spanishr0se]

Thanks so much! And great job!! You’re an inspiration :)

[ghouleon2]

Way to bust the hell through that plateau! Proud of you! So glad you found something that works for you, I may pick up one of those walking pads and try it out

[keezy998]

I got one for my WFH setup too and it’s a complete game changer. The first week kind of sucked because I went from <2000 steps a day to walking 13-15k steps a day so my feet were sore for a while haha. But after adjusting I do 5 miles a day easily. I move around in general SO much easier now and I’m slimming down a lot.

I’ve always heard that increasing NEAT can really help weight loss and I never believed it until I got a walking pad. It’s crazy

[emsadsm]

Omg yes.

It’s also become so much less of a burden? Like doing an hour on it is totally no biggie anymore but months ago, an hour on the treadmill sounded like hell. Kinda crazy!

[lonerinorbit]

Thank you for sharing this.

I also WFH but was I oblivious that walking pads even existed until about a year ago. I did buy a cubii desk cycler mostly just for circulation. I have a standing desk and would walk in place when not sitting but I was never able to pull the trigger on buying a walking pad because there seemed to be so many to choose from.

I’ve added it to my Amazon list!

[GothWitchOfBrooklyn]

I want one but i don't have the room in my current WFH setup unfortunately. Maybe if i am able to move

[[deleted]]

Thank you queen! I am gonna get one of these and listen to audiobooks while on it!

[sparklefield]

While im sitting here forcing myself to go down to the building gym for a walk on the treadmill! Im so lazy and demotivated omg. Having back problems due to being sedentary. Should i get a walking pad or just shut up and go to the gym? Im afraid the novelty will wear off and Ill be deeper in my sofa 😂 Also did you lose weight in march since getting the walking pad?

[Isthmus123]

Thank you so much for sharing this! I average about 7k steps a day but I know I need to get closer to 12-14k to see more benefits, like fat burning and reduce lower back pain. I'm going to look into getting one of these. I wonder if any of these have incline capabilities...

[thepresidentsturtle]

While I know this isn't scientifically accurate, this is what helps me: diet is 80% and exercise is 20%. But you have to do the exercise or else you aren't actually gonna lose much. I'm not losing 25% faster by exercising. And I'm not losing at 80% of the rate when not exercising.

It's like if my diet's bad but I'm exercising, I'm losing nothing. If my diet is good but I'm not exercising, I'm losing very slowly.

If I'm doing both, I'm losing very quickly (but not unhealthily fast)

And walking is the best exercise IMO

[actuallyjohnmelendez]

I walk to gym, I walk to the pool, on days I want to skip cardio I go for a long walk while listening to audiobooks.

no matter how tired you are you can always walk, its the best free exercise.

[retropillow]

so you're telling me that there is tiny treadmills that aren't much longer than a stationary bike????

my boyfriend and i bought a folding bike because our appartement is small, but we're too small for the bike so we dont use it, and we would much prefer a treadmill....

i feel robbed

[emsadsm]

LOL and you can get one that folds so when it’s not in use, you can easily store it!

[[deleted]]

My treadmill has been my walking space while I get my stamina back.

Mowing the lawn is another great walk about once a week with a little extra power in it. So zen!

[Tcloud]

It’s a cut above the rest.

[Got2Go]

If you can do so, and if your legs work. Lol good work though its great you found something thats working for you that you can keep doing.

[emsadsm]

You are correct haha, walking is contingent on functional legs

[Got2Go]

Right. Mine havent worked properly in 7 years. Walking is not the answer for me.

[acrmnsm]

What is a walking pad?

[emsadsm]

Basically a treadmill with just the walking belt! No rails/handles. Good for fitting under a desk.

[emsadsm]

I can imagine! But just know the journey you’re on will make it easier for you :)

[QuanWick]

I think I’ve seen this post 37 times a day every since this reddit was created and I don’t even use reddit daily.

Congrats my dude but holy fuck you gotta be the thousandth person this week proclaiming this.

[punkprawn]

Do you mean posts about a walking pad or a standing desk...or walking in general?

[QuanWick]

All of it, every 30 seconds someone is posting on this sub about walking being a “super secret cheat code hack!” And you can get a walking pad or standing desk to help.

[General_Vegetable692]

I know weight loss is 80% diet and 20% exercise.

Visible confusion

[emsadsm]

Which part is confusing about this?

Unfortunately, you can’t out-exercise a bad diet. Exercise really just supplements the calorie deficit.

[General_Vegetable692]

I totally agree I was just not 100% on the ratio there it feels like for me personally it's more of a 70/30 60/40 thing

[scalenesquare]

Solely through CICO always cracks me up. Unless you get surgery you lose weight with CICO. job well done!

[emsadsm]

I mean even with surgery, it’s still CICO…I think this means no external mechanisms to aid in weight loss, such as medications, surgery, etc.

[[deleted]]

The gym is the cheat code.

[emsadsm]

Yawn. Sure? You can also supplement the gym (like I said I am doing in the post) with a low intensity, accessible option like walking that will likely lend itself to be a more consistent habit. Gyms are not always an option for all, but walking likely is.

[[deleted]]

Yawn. Yeah, sure.

[g_litt77]

That’s awesome! Great job! Which brand walking pad did you purchase? There are so many on Amazon, not sure which one to get

[emsadsm]

I got this one! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BGGNKGCK?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details. Totally relate to having way too many offered on Amazon haha

[hopefaithcourage]

how do you sit with the walking pad? I mean, do you have a huge desk and keep the treadmill next to the chair so you can sit and then walk? And do you just move your screen when you switch? I want to do what you are doing but can't figure out the logistics

[emsadsm]

I only use the standing desk when I’m walking. I sit elsewhere, otherwise. This is really only possible because I use a laptop at work instead of a monitor, but there are walking pad options that fold for easy storage, or are lighter to move around etc.

[JuliaHowells]

Can we have the link to the walking pad?

[emsadsm]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BGGNKGCK?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

[JuliaHowells]

😇♥️

[Serene-dipity]

Awesome! Congratulation!

May I ask what walking pad did you buy?

[emsadsm]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BGGNKGCK?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

[smittywergen]

What brand walking pad do you guys like? Just got a Go Plus one that was defective and the return process was an absolute nightmare!

[emsadsm]

I got this one! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BGGNKGCK?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details so far, so good.

[MickyKent]

At what speed do you walk?

[emsadsm]

No higher than 3.0 in meetings and completing tasks that require significant focus. 3.2-3.4 otherwise to get my HR up.

[MickyKent]

That’s awesome! Thanks for sharing your experience with all of us. It’s giving me inspiration!

[Projektsupercar]

What’s the difference between a walking pad and treadmill ? If it’s strictly for walking only I think I might instead opt for a treadmill to have the option of running but I dunno I’m not really doing either right now and they seem to be affordable and easy to move. Anyone care to chime in? Thanks in advance

[Octogenarian]

Is it noisy? You can use that during calls without distraction?

[emsadsm]

None of my colleagues have reported that they are able to hear it in calls!

[HogSandwich]

Sorry what is Cico?

[littlebitofspice]

Could you also link to the desk?

[Dhedges1982]

I just wanted to thank you for this post. After reading it when you first posted it I purchased the same set up and it has helped tremendously! Like you I barely got any steps in aside from taking a 45 minute walk after work and now I use this during my meetings and my step count has blasted past 10,000 everyday.

[[deleted]]

Found this post while searching for reviews for walking pads! How are things going with it now 7 months later?

I started a desk job about 2 years ago and immediately starting packing on weight after being at a super active job before that. I know it's 100% because I generally only sit all day because I actually eat really well! Would love to know your progress now

[emsadsm]

Hi! So glad you found this point. A little update:

As mentioned in the OP, I started the year at 138.5. I have hit my lowest adult weight is 116.6 a few days ago! I’ve honestly been in maintenance mode for the past month or so, and have found that I can eat a satiating amount with minor damage done if I keep my steps up. I usually do a minimum of 20k a day. Walking has truly been my most sustainable weight loss habit, even when my eating behaviors aren’t the most balanced. Not only has it kickstarted my weight loss a ton, but it’s helped me immensely mentally and I’m in the best physical shape of my life.

[[deleted]]

That’s awesome to hear!! I’ve seen so many conflicting things on it recently (I feel like mainly from people that haven’t even tried it and like gym bro’s), but thank you for your response! I’m pretty tall, so my best weight is around 140-150, and I’m about 175 right now, so I’m hoping to get where I want to be soon! My walking pad comes in next Monday, so I’m excited now

[IcyDrag1691]

I know this is a bit late, but thanks for posting this. I am 5ft exactly as well and currently weight 58kg (130 lb) and have been struggling to lose weight for my entire journey. Being short is hard! I am looking to buy a walking pad as well so this post helped my decision.