Walking on a treadmill sheds excess pounds and tones your body. However, you shouldn't expect to lose significant weight by walking on a treadmill unless you work out frequently and vigorously. In addition, make some changes to your diet to jumpstart your weight loss. Check with your doctor before making changes in your exercise or diet plan, particularly if you have a health condition.
Treadmill Basics
Treadmills provide a safe, comfortable place to walk or run when the weather fails to cooperate or when the streets outside aren't safe for walking. Treadmills also make it possible for you to increase your walking speed and intensity as your conditioning improves. However, to lose weight by walking on a treadmill, you may find you need to spend significant time on it -- perhaps as much as an hour each day.
Calories Burned
To lose 1 lb. pound by walking on a treadmill, you need to burn about 3,500 calories. The calories you burn in a half-hour of treadmill walking will depend on your weight and speed, and also on the treadmill's incline. For example, a 155-lb. person walking 4 mph will burn about 165 calories in half an hour on a flat treadmill, according to Harvard Medical School. Setting your treadmill at a slight incline will burn more calories.
Weight-Loss Potential
To lose 1 lb. per week, a 155-lb. person needs to walk more than 10 hours on the treadmill, walking 4 mph. If she increased her speed to a fast walk, moving 1 mile in 10 minutes, and increased the incline of the treadmill, she potentially could lose 1 lb. in about nine hours of treadmill walking.
Considerations
Walking on a treadmill can help you lose some weight, but to really shave off excess pounds quickly, incorporate some dietary changes, such as cutting back on fat and eliminating snacking. In addition, before starting to work out on a treadmill, see your doctor for a complete checkup, especially if you haven't been engaging in regular physical activity lately.
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