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One day I started walking and that one day changed my whole life. This is how I lost 80 pounds walking.
The Beginning of a New Life
My 80 pound weight loss didn’t begin with a diet. It began with a walk. In fact, weight loss wasn’t even a thought in my mind.
Before you read further, here’s a podcast I recorded on how I lost 80 pounds walking and I give you actionable tips for losing weight for good in that podcast that are not in this post.
At that time in my life, I was feeling particularly unhappy and insecure working as a consultant in California unsure of my future, unhappy that I’d sacrificed so much of my personal life to corporate America. One night after a particularly stressful day, a coworker suggested I go to the beach to think.
When I arrived, I saw a path on the strand where people were walking and running. I hadn’t been active in over decade due to my avascular necrosis, but something pulled me toward that path. A voice inside me said “you should walk.“
So that’s what I did. That night as I walked, I realized for once I didn’t feel strangled by life. I could breathe. I could just be.
After my walk, I looked back at the ocean and thought to myself “I’m going to walk here every night.” And that’s what I did. Every night from that day forward, I walked. The first week 10 minutes, the next month 20 minutes the month after 30 minutes, then 40, 60, 90 and eventually I was walking 8-9 miles at a 12-13 minute per mile pace. The pace of a slow runner!
How I Lost 80 Pounds Walking
Walking made me feel good. It cleared my head, helped me see what I wanted more of in my life. One of which was losing weight. Since I was a teenager I’d tried losing weight over and over again, and failed miserably. But I never understood what the missing ingredient was until I started walking.
The missing ingredient was living.
Suddenly, my focus became fueling my body with healthier choices so I could do more of the things that inspired me like walking. I was eating better by choice, not by the demands of a diet.
After two months of walking, I lost 10 pounds. Those 10 pounds motivated me to continue walking and eating healthy. Over 18 months, I lost 80 pounds going from a size 14/16 to a size 2 to 4.
At that time, I didn’t run, cycle, swim, lift weights or do any of the things I do today. I just walked. And with each step, the weight fell from my body almost effortlessly.
Walking changed me.
Not only did it change my body, it changed everything about me as a person. Suddenly, the world was full of new possibilities. With every pound I lost, part of the old me died. The old me who didn’t love herself or think she was good enough. As those parts died, a new me emerged. The me who’s confident, secure and proud in her own skin.
Walking taught me I was capable of anything.
Walking fired a passion in me to live life beyond my expectations and experience more of what it has to offer. It sparked a dream that I could live a different and more fulfilling life.
Now years later, I look back at the first day I started walking as the beginning of my new life.
A life where I lost 80 pounds, taught myself to cook, take beautiful pictures of food, started this little blog that transformed into my primary source of income and led me to the path of becoming a nutritionist and starting my own private practice.
Now I help women transform their lives and lose weight. I’m telling you this because it’s not just about the food you eat or diet you do. It’s about living a healthy life, choosing cleaner, chemical-free products (toxins get stored as fat) and making time for meal prep and activity.
Sometimes dreams aren’t as far outside our reach as we think. It’s about being willing to take the first step in the direction you want to go.
Having you been walking for weight loss and not losing weight? Watch the video for 6 reasons Why You’re Not Losing Weight Walking.
Are you willing to take the first step? Watch my free hormonal weight loss class and listen to my podcast.
If you haven’t been working out, walking is a great way to start with fitness. The key is to walk at a very fast pace to get your heart rate up. This is how you get the cardiovascular benefit that will help you lose weight. It’s not guaranteed that everyone will lose weight walking as it depends on your health status and eating habits.
I just started my weight loss journey. Well, seriously started it. I’ve lost 39 lbs so far. I’m 187 lbs now, down from 226 in January. All I’ve been doing is walking daily and hiking on weekends. When I started, a friend told me I was wasting my time, because walking wasn’t enough, I had to do weight lifting and join a gym etc. But I got 39 lbs less to prove her wrong. I’ve noticed my endurance is a lot better as well. Before, I couldn’t walk up a flight of stairs without wheezing. Now I’m covering miles effortlessly. Even participated in my first 15k! I came dead last but crossed that finish line anyway. My point is, not everybody likes the gym or can afford personal trainers and whatnot. Walking is the cheapest, easiest exercise that anybody at any fitness level can do.
Thanks for your post Camille, so encouraging to know one can lose this amount of weigh by just walking. I am going to follow your lead and hopefully by August I’ll also have lost 39 ibs.
I need to lose about 60 lbs. Googled “walking to lose weight” and didn’t get very good enthusiasm out of it…today I typed in walking instead of running (bc I simply can’t run) and came across this…..let me just say THANK YOU. I needed to hear that I don’t need to run at 200lbd to lose some of before my body can run. Trust me, I WANT to run but my shins hurt,ankles hurt and I’m out of breath in 25 seconds so it’s a real downer when I just need to take it slow until my body can lift itself with a better weight…I want to lose it faster! I can walk forever tho! And for you you say it will work, I’ll walk allllll day now!
No, you don’t need to run but you do need to walk at a fast pace. The key with walking is that you have to be someone who hasn’t been active (i.e. been leading a sedentary lifestyle). That and eating a little below your caloric needs will help with weight loss and great for the cardiovascular system too!
Hi Megan,
I just wanted to thank you for writing this. Before reading I was wondering if I could lose the 85lbs I gained over the last 2 year by eating right and walking. I’m so glad to hear your success and I’m happy you’re confident and looking wonderful. When I was done reading I forced myself to get up and go on my treadmill (which has been gaining dust) I think k I’ll start walking everyday and see where it takes me. Thanks again!
Hi Megan! It’s nice to “meet” another Megan who spells their name the same as me! Yes! Walking is a great way to get started if you have been sedentary for awhile. It will also give you motivation to do more. I’m glad this post gave you the confidence you needed to start!
Hello, I was just curious if you lost that 85 pounds? I used to walk due to not having a car and now I never walk and needless to say I am back up to 185 pounds. I know walking works in the long run but I like to see quick results. I wonder how long it will take to get back down to 150 pounds?
I lost 80 pounds by walking and changing my diet over the course of 16 months. True fat loss takes time and you absolutely have to change your diet. Walking is just one piece of the puzzle. If you have the mindset that you want it to happen fast, the weight will come back and any shortcuts you take will result in losing water and muscle. If you haven’t watched my free weight loss training I recommend you do! https://skinnyfitalicious.com/why-diets-fail-webinar/
About how fast do you typically walk? I have started trying to walk 4-5 miles a day and am desperately trying to lose these 35 lbs I’ve gained during pregnancy and almost nothing has worked after 4 years!!
Thanks:)
I average 12-14 minute miles. Remember what works for one person won’t necessarily work for another. You can’t compare. People aren’t apples to apples. This is meant to inspire others to get active and to find what works for them. If you’ve been doing the same thing for a long time, it’s time to change things. The body is highly adaptive.
Wow, congrats this is such an amazing story. Sometime taking the first step is all it takes then staying consistent. Love this!
You’re exactly right! Thanks Ivanna!
people always underestimate the power of movement. As in walking! Love your story and thanks for sharing this post again. IT must be SHARED again. Such encouragement
Thank you friend! There’s so many new people here that I thought it was worth sharing again. xoxo
Can I get legs like that from walking?
Everyone is different and gets different results. You can’t target a specific area with a workout.
Hi Megan,
All I could do was cry while reading this. 8 have suffered 2 car accidents in 2013. Suffered from debilitating migraine since age 20 that often left be bed ridden. I have suffered with depression since I was a young girl (I’m 40 now), making motivation and the get up and go attitude very hard to grab onto. I used to be 132 lbs when I was in my early 20’s. I’m about 220 lbs now. The bedriddeness caused me to lose a lot of muscle mass/strength also. My body was in severe horrific pain but since being on KYÄNI it has given me my life back. Watch my testimonial here:
Donna’s Montreal Kyäni Testimonial (in front of 2000 +ppl)
https://youtu.be/grCe88c9WFk
Donna’s 2 min Kyäni Testimonial
https://youtu.be/-g02wFaZwYs
Now that the inflammation, muscle/nerve pain is nearly give and my migraine I’m wanting to build back strength and lose a ton of weight. It’s not the visual (vain reasons why) I want to lose weight, but I just don’t feel right being this heavy.
It can become very discouraging when you are encouraged to only do HIIT or very intense workouts in order to succeed. I haven’t really moved let alone worked out in many years.
After reading your story it breathed some hope in me that I can lose the weight but at least just walking in the beginning.
I suffered a lot of impact with my knees especially from the car accidents so right now
High impact is not an option.
But, I’m going to step out in faith and start walking. One step closer to big goals, but baby steps are as important.
Thank you for sharing your story with us. I’m from Canada.
Love D
It is very true walking is a miracle and it’s way better than jogging or running for lose weight especially who has physical limitations like Megan said.I lost 60 pound in 7 months just do walking 6 times a week for an hour and as I eat clean healthy food ,with drinking a lots of water.If you really want from your heart to lose weight walk will take you there.And it doesn’t cost you anything but a happy life.
Congratulations! Small changes really make a big difference. Everyone says you need to do high intensity workouts, but really just moving more will get you there. Keep up the good work!
Just read this story for the first time! SUCH a great journey and I appreciate you sharing it with the blogosphere. I am a true believer in just being active throughout the day can make such a big difference. If you go to a spin class and then sit on your butt at your office the rest of your day versus making an effort to walk around throughout your day, I feel like thats so much better for your health.
Power walking is a great exercise that when done correctly you can use power walking to lose weight, and surprisingly it will strengthen and tone your legs, stomach, back, and arms. When done correctly, power walking can quickly heat up your body and burn a lot of calories.