Are Pedometers any good for weight loss?

Spender£

I enjoy walking each day for exercise but I've never used a step counter, does keeping your steps to a certain level each aid weight loss, i hear a lot about 10,000 steps being some kind of benchmark. Anyone lost weight using one of these gadgets or is it just another fad. I saw an article on the Guardian Newspaper website claiming you could put on weight using a pedometer but i find this hard to fathom as walking is still exercise and should in theory burn calories? 

strawb_shortcake

I think there has previously been some comments linking women of a certain age to pedometers, and them thinking that 10,000 steps is all they need to contribute to a fit and active life. So they may see reaching the 10k steps as a reason to do no more. 
I see it as being that the 10k steps should compliment your normal physical activity, and not replace it. 
Walking will burn calories but it can also be a very gentle exercise depending on the terrain you are walking on

Emmia

I think if you want to lose weight, what you eat is where you start - rather than relying on a step counter.  Walking will burn calories, but you need to think about the speed you're going at, the terrain and the duration (raising your heart rate) - and I agree it should support other exercise.

I walk pretty fast, at around 5.5 - 6km an hour and try to do 15,000 steps a day which takes around 2 hours of continuous walking (10,000 steps for me is around 80 - 90mins of continuous walking).  That level of activity though is only just enough to burn 2,000 calories according to my sport watch.

luvchocolate

I walk 10,000 steps per day more to keep moving for health really. 
I believe weight loss will come from your diet 

Gers

The 10,000 steps thing was dreamt up by a Japanese marketing company and then morped into scientific 'fact' with no basis.  Bad science!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-42864061

https://graziadaily.co.uk/life/health-fitness/10000-steps-miles-benefits-calories/

Walking is great for the body though it's controlling your food intake which makes for weight loss. 

sheramber

A pedometer alone won't make you lose weight.
it won't matter how many steps you walk if you  take in  more calories than you expend.
Exercise may make you hungry and so you eat more.
A healthy diet along with  exercise is what you need.

surfsister10

I use one daily and it doe encourage me to complete at least 10k steps a day so it is good. There is usually one on most smartphones so you don't even need to buy one to try it out. Happy walking! We were surprised to do 20,700 steps on a long walk at the weekend!
I think people put on weight as they walk 10k steps then think they can eat more!!

maman

It's encouragement to exercise which with healthy eating will help you lose weight. I had a pedometer years ago and it did encourage me to get out.  It can have  the same effect as a star chart for children, visual reward. These days I have a step counter on my phone so don't need a pedometer. 

Pollycat

maman said:

It's encouragement to exercise which with healthy eating will help you lose weight. I had a pedometer years ago and it did encourage me to get out.  It can have  the same effect as a star chart for children, visual reward. These days I have a step counter on my phone so don't need a pedometer. 

Do you carry your phone with you all the time, even in the house?

My phone could be anywhere at all, I often have to get my OH to ring it so I can find it.

I don't tend to have pockets in what I'm wearing at home e.g. leggings and a jumper.

Thanks

silverwhistle

Pollycat said:

Do you carry your phone with you all the time, even in the house?

My phone could be anywhere at all, I often have to get my OH to ring it so I can find it.

Ha! Not just me then! Although as I live alone lucky enough to have a landline as well.

Pedometers are gentle reminders and nothing more and I wouldn't spend much on one.

Pollycat

silverwhistle said:

Pollycat said:

Do you carry your phone with you all the time, even in the house?

My phone could be anywhere at all, I often have to get my OH to ring it so I can find it.

Ha! Not just me then! Although as I live alone lucky enough to have a landline as well.

Pedometers are gentle reminders and nothing more and I wouldn't spend much on one.

Was just musing about installing a free app.

But can't really see me carrying my phone with me all the time and wondered what other people did.