Question about Walking
 

I would like your advice.

I am unable to exercise vigourously because I do not wash my hair everyday. For exercise, I have decided to engage in walking.

My goal is to walk 4-5 days per week, and I have been able to do so. I walk at least 3 miles, on some days I walk 4 miles. I can walk 3 miles in less than 45 minutes. Do you think that this is adequate exercise for overall health? (I also do crunches, lunges, squats, and arm exercises three times per week.)

I decided to choose a plan that I could stick to long term. When I graduate and move I plan to buy a treadmill and keep this up.

Your thoughts will be appreciated.

Walking (152lbs)
259 calories in 45 min (3 miles at 4 mph)

I got that from http://caloriesperhour.com
I would say 3 miles in 45 minutes is really good, and 259 calories isn't bad either! keep it up!

Cool! Thanks!

i understand on the hair!!!!!

i do pilates. it can be cardio and great toning for the body.congrats on the weightloss 9 lbs in one month:)

The main goal with effective cardio is to get your heart rate up - does walking do this? I think the best test for this, without a heart-rate moniter, is the perceived exertion test:

Level 1: I'm watching TV and eating bon bons
Level 2: I'm comfortable and could maintain this pace all day long
Level 3: I'm still comfortable, but am breathing a bit harder
Level 4: I'm sweating a little, but feel good and can carry on a conversation effortlessly
Level 5: I'm just above comfortable, am sweating more and can still talk easily
Level 6: I can still talk, but am slightly breathless
Level 7: I can still talk, but I don't really want to. I'm sweating like a pig
Level 8: I can grunt in response to your questions and can only keep this pace for a short time period
Level 9: I am probably going to die
Level 10: I am dead

Apparantly you're supposed to be around level 5/6 for effective cardio workouts. As long as you can stick around this I don't see why walking wouldn't work for you. On the other hand, couldn't you just work out harder and wear a shower cap, or am I missing the point?

I don't wash my hair every day and I still do hard sweat-induced cardio (aka my spin class today was Sweattting.

I wear a sweatband around my head.

But I usually wash my hair every other day, unless I get really lazy....

or what if you did hard excersize on the day that you knew u were going to wash your hair?? Sweating is good for you - it actually means that you are fit and your body is good at controlling your core temp.

Thanks all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!