Why can some people tone up and lose weight (muscle, bike, fast)

[Jess5]

by walking, while it seems to have no effect at all on other people? Even when they eat pretty much the same thing?

[1208]

Because bodies are built differently, people have different metabolisms, different diets, etc. You seriously couldn't figure that one out on your own?

[Jess5]

I've always wondered why some questions are answered so rudely on here. Why bother answering at all? I think they want to try to look smart, but, it doesn't work, they just look rude . I know too many people who have fast metabolisms and don't lose weight by walking and people with slow metabolisms that do. Of course I know people who are the opposite too.

[Opsimathia]

It doesn't take too many more calories to have 10 extra pounds. Just 100/day for the year. Thats just a slice of dry toast. Not exactly indulgent. When you look toned from walking its a leaner body which can be bigger or willowy depending on body type. Those extra 10 pounds or so on a frame can make the difference from looking average or cut depending on how much fat % it is.

[spacelord75]

Genetics, diet (could be small differences you don't see, that add up...not just calories but quality of foods and/or alcohol consumption), age and probably other activity throughout the day that adds up but is not technically "exercising" (running after little kids, taking the stairs at work, walking the dog, etc.). To be honest, if you want to blow away people who are using walking as their primary means for exercise, you need to up the intensity and try things like sprinting, tempo workouts on bike/elliptical/stairmaster, plyometrics and weights. While walking is a valid form of exercise (and great for people with joint issues, the elderly or who are pregnant) it is extremely inefficient. You would have to walk for 2 hours to accomplish what you would in 30 minutes of hill sprints and even then you would probably burn more muscle and less fat than the sprint workout.

[Ohiogirl81]

Originally Posted by Jess5

by walking, while it seems to have no effect at all on other people? Even when they eat pretty much the same thing?

It might depend on the walking. Sauntering around the block of an evening is not the same as walking 3 or 4 miles at 4 miles an hour six days a week.

[jimboburnsy]

Originally Posted by Jess5

by walking, while it seems to have no effect at all on other people? Even when they eat pretty much the same thing?

Walking doesn't put much of a load on your body. If you walk a mile you may have burned off about 1/4 of that piece of toast Opsimanthia mentioned. For walking to have an effect it has to be habitual and frequent. Just taking a long walk once or twice a month (or even once or twice a week) has about as much impact on your caloric bottom line as eating a fistful of peanuts with the same frequency. If you're walking a mile every day, however, you're making it much easier to healthily lose weight without making drastic and uncomfortable changes in your diet.

I think your question really raises another question: what are those people who are losing weight and toning up just by walking doing differently from you?

The answer is probably not "nothing". The answer could be some kind of cheating (stimulants, diuretics, etc. etc.) but it's probably as simple as portion control.

[veuvegirl]

Genetics plays a huge part. I have friends that literally eat whatever they want and barely exercise. I exercise a lot and don't lose weight (diet has a lot to do with it). However, years ago I could eat whatever I wanted and was toned and fine.