When people are planning to do weight loss, or they want to start their workout journey most of the people start it with simple Walking OR Running. They both are Cardio Exercises, which helps in keeping heart healthy, aids in weight loss and increases endurance of the body over a period of time. Most of the people thinks Walking and Running are same and there is no such difference between both. But in reality, they are different in various ways. Let’s discuss today which one to choose according to one’s requirements, goals and body conditions:
Walking burns more Fat:Â
For freshers in workout routine Walking is good to kick start workout journey. Also, if your goal is to burn more fats, walking is better than running. When we are doing less intensity workouts our body tends to use fats as primary energy source. So, if having extra fats in body or having high Cholesterol start with simple long walks. Research says that walking helps in increasing HDL (good Cholesterol) and also helps in lowering LDL, VLDL (Bad Cholesterol) in the body.
Cardiovascular Health: Walking is also helpful, if you are having weaken Knees Joints or having muscular pain in back or in legs. Walking helps in relaxing muscles and strengthen them over a period of time. If recently done with any heart surgeries like bypass or stent surgery walking is a boon to those people to regain cardiovascular health.
Timing matters: Walking for 10 min just after 10 minutes of taking a meal, decreases chances of hyperglycemia or diabetes. It reduces the sugar spike and insulin rush in the blood. So, if you are diabetic or prediabetic start talking slow and small walks after every main meal. It also helps in proper digestion of food.
Running burns more Calories or Carbs:
Running is intense version of walking and hence burns more carbohydrates or say more calories. Running needs proper practice and strategies to start with. When planning to start running keep in mind, place you choose to run, buy comfortable shoes, checkout body condition (knees joints, any cardiovascular issues like high BP, no recent heart or other surgeries done, respiratory problems and meal intake gap etc…) Start running with slow pace and increase it over a period of time or it can be interval running too.
Going Short of Time: If you walk for 60 minutes, you will burn around 350 calories as opposed to 700 calories when running, as running is higher intensity workout. Therefore, if you’re short on time and not a complete newbie to running, you can comfortably choose running over walking.
Timing matters: Running needs full body movement and is high intensity workout hence running just after meals may cause stomachache, vomiting, weakness, dizziness, nausea and sometimes other health conditions. So, avoid running just after having meals, keep around 2 to 3 hours of gap.
         In conclusion, walking and running both are good cardio workouts, you will burn more calories if the intensity of workout is high like running but can be adjusted with long duration walks. For getting results Discipline, Dedication and Determination is must in any workout regime. If seeking weight loss Calorie Deficit is a way to accomplish the goal and you lose more the more calorie you burn. But if seeking to start workout journey, you can start with simple walk, slowly continue with brisk walk, interval walk run training and afterwards continue with running routine. Always check health condition before starting any workouts, if having any health concern first, consult with physician or physiotherapist.
Stay Healthy & Stay Fit! Lots of Love, Sculpting Lifestyle Disclaimer: This article is purely for information purpose; it is not a substitute for any medical treatment and therapy. Consult healthcare provider or dietician for proper guidance.
