Ask Mary

Your personal nutritionist

By Mary Hartley, RD
Director of Nutrition

Is walking better than running for weight loss?
Asked by jeanineoc on Nov 12, 2008 in Fitness

Answer

Fast running burns more calories than slow walking, but running and walking at the same speed burns the same number of calories.  For instance, if a man walks or runs at the rate of 5 MPH, he will burn about 550 calories in 60 minutes.  The number of calories burned always correlates with the intensity of the aerobic activity.  But, at lower intensities, you will burn more calories from fat, and so to burn more fat, exercise at a 65% of your maximum Target Heart Rate, which is called the fat burning zone.  Overall, it is best to have variety of exercise to stimulate your different energy systems.