I am going to have to dissagree with those who say that walking is not as good as running. Walking can actually be better for you than running. There is less stress on your joints, and internal organs, and you can get a very good cardio benefit from it.
If fat loss is your goal, again, I would not say that running is the best approach. The best way to reduce bodyfat is to increase your muscle mass. There are many marathon runners who have the Skinny/Fat syndrome, where they break down muscle tissue, and their body fat ratio is not that great. Strength training builds muscle, which is the metabolic engine of the body, and will burn more calories 24 hours a day, instead of just a short while from performing an hour of aerobic activity.
I would also say that walking, not being as stressful to the body as running, would probably be more effective in regulating IBS than performing an activity that you find uncomfortable or stressful. You can always add hand weights and move your arms as you walk to increase both the aerobic, and muscle building effect of the exercise.
All in all, I wouldn't be too quick to dismiss the benefits of walking. Most of the walking we do is for short distances, and would really not be the same as taking a 45 minute to an hour brisk walk in the fresh air and sunshine.
Hopes this helps, my degree and background is in fitness, so I am not just making this stuff up 
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Phil
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Re: Is walking good enough?
