Walking? Benefits and any other comments.

I am in several different walking groups which normally walk between 4 and 10 miles. We will stop if we see something interesting it is not a challenge to see how far or how fast we can walk. It gets me out of the house, I get exercise, see the countryside and get to chat to lots of different people so lots of good things rolled into one.

I walk every day come rain or shine I have several routes I take from home and I do walk quite briskly or drive to a nearby lake and walk the woods there where I’ll take more of an amble. I aim to do 3+ miles a day some of it from my walk or some gardening. I’m not bothered if I miss the odd day but generally I feel good in mind and body afterwards, sometimes I meet familiar faces on the way and stop for a chat or if my daughter is free we’ll go for a longer walk and catchup.

Oh I meant to add do go out early in these hot summer days.

Walking’s an easy and free way to keep fit and I nearly always enjoy it once I get out there. If I’m just walking into town a podcast or audio book makes the time fly. Out in the country or in a park I take in the sights and sounds - just being out in nature’s good for you in itself. I never amble though, it’s not in my nature. I go out in most weathers but when it’s really bad, or really good as in too hot, I’ll do a YouTube walking video at home. Get Fit With Rick or Lesley Sansome are my current favourites. I know some of the routines well now and sometimes just yomp my way through one while watching TV.

I am sadly no longer able to bounce out of bed ready to go. I find it helps to 'spot' something a way off (lamp post, church etc) and walk as quickly as possible to it. These short bursts build up over time making you feel really quite productive!

I love walking, and having dog again has been fabulous. Lots of long walks in the woods, along dales and mountains tops, and I feel fitter than I have for a long time. Sometimes with a neighbour and her dog, and often with OH- but I don't like walking with a group. I want to hear the wind in the trees, the birds and to stop and admire a bird of prey, a field of wild flowers and a bank of wild pinks and orchids, etc.

About 1.30 mins every day. Love it.

I love walking, early morning or later at night now it’s light longer. I don’t go at speed i amble along walking next to the river. So calming love listening to the birds take photos of the swans etc, like to go on different routes it’s amazing how many are doing the same since the nicer weather, it really is great for your mental health and well being!

I try to briskly walk for an hour a day, I listen to podcasts whilst walking which makes the time go quickly.

I wouldn’t really say I enjoy the brisk walk, I do it to keep healthy.

I walk for my health, my dog's needs 4x a day, and for time outside.

I walk briskly, the rate recommended for my heart, a speed to truly exercise my wild Parsons Terriers into sweet pets.

I only walk on level, for the dog's exercise. One knee is awaiting surgery, Parsons run frisky on rough ground and I need no tripping or falling.

I love walking, with a particular preference for hills/mountains. Until a recent(ish) injury I walked at least six miles a day, and could comfortably do 15 or so in a day.

Presently, I can manage between one and three flat miles without pain, and it’s frankly ruining my quality of life, and my physical and mental health. I can and do cycle. But that used to be as well, and now it’s mostly instead.

Oh, and I’ve gained a stone in weight, and much of it is round my middle, which isn’t ideal.

walking now is boring for me, too slow, so I cycle at a good pace including up hills everytime. I am in countryside within 5 minutes.

Different for me these days, I was an avid fell walker with my husband. Now widowed, I love my cycling. I can walk as much as I like, just to and fro the local shops or I can amble along a river but the appeal of walking solo is now very limited. I get much more actual exercise via cycling

A daily walk definitely improves my sense of well being and relaxes me. Also lowers the blood pressure. Those days I don’t walk (weather, illness, get too engrossed in something else) I feel a combination of restlessness and guilt. I aim to walk an hour a day and while the first few years of my retirement I planned walks using streets in a five mile radius from home and got to know my local area very well, I now usually walk in one of the local parks which I am lucky enough to have a few though I have my favourite. I also find that walking somewhere green is the most beneficial in terms of feeling good.

I do love walking but I need a stick or other walking aid. I would say walking poles are a great help even if you think you don't need a stick when walking in the countryside they help you up a steep incline or to cross a muddy ditch or stream for example. I would defintely get one of those.

I was a reluctant walker with the start of arthritis but during lockdown when my DH had cancer and life was dreadful,
a friend suggested she and I walk together each day for about an hour. She slowed to my pace and I huffed up hills but felt so much better as the days went on.

DH died and this friend continued with the walks. Occasionally I went on my own. Then I joined my U3A walking group which means a decent length walk twice a month. We share cars and take it in turns to lead the walks. Some walks are tougher than others. I have my poles and good waterproofs. We take a picnic ..
We are mainly in our 70s but there are a few over 80.
.Our U3A has 2 other walking groups. A hill walking one and a slower one where they enjoy looking at wildlife and taking photos.

I still walk with my df but not quite as often. I am so grateful to her for getting me started.

The benefits are amazing

I usually do a local circuit once a day, only about 35 minutes, but I feel guilty if I don’t do it. I go at normal walking pace, not ambling, but not ‘route march’ fast pace either, which is why I hardly ever walk with route-march dh any more. He just charges ahead, not really looking at anything - I like to notice what’s going on with the seasons in trees and plants.

I've never understood the attraction of doing your weekly
shopping on line. Ok, if walking is a challenge maybe but
walking is walking even around a supermarket. Its good for
your mental health, social health and physical health and
of course enviromentally, cuts out the delivery van and
potential pollution. Does it cut out someone's job? it seems
alot of work is crying out for workers so maybe not.
Walking isn't just for the green spaces and countryside, its
for everyday life and health.

Norah

I walk for my health, my dog's needs 4x a day, and for time outside.

I walk briskly, the rate recommended for my heart, a speed to truly exercise my wild Parsons Terriers into sweet pets.

I only walk on level, for the dog's exercise. One knee is awaiting surgery, Parsons run frisky on rough ground and I need no tripping or falling.

I loved this Norah, my daughter has a Parsons -we call him a Parsons Terriorist and have never been able to wear him out.

To the OP…Many local authorities run Health Walks, often graded for length/ ability/ stamina needed. I could go on a different one every day of the week if I wanted, they are free and always very friendly, usually finishing at a café or pub for a social get together.

Overthemoongran

Norah

I walk for my health, my dog's needs 4x a day, and for time outside.

I walk briskly, the rate recommended for my heart, a speed to truly exercise my wild Parsons Terriers into sweet pets.

I only walk on level, for the dog's exercise. One knee is awaiting surgery, Parsons run frisky on rough ground and I need no tripping or falling.

I loved this Norah, my daughter has a Parsons -we call him a Parsons Terriorist and have never been able to wear him out.

To the OP…Many local authorities run Health Walks, often graded for length/ ability/ stamina needed. I could go on a different one every day of the week if I wanted, they are free and always very friendly, usually finishing at a café or pub for a social get together.

Yes indeed. Parsons Terrorists - they NEVER tire.

Now that I'm pushing 80, I'm no longer the long-distance walker I used to be, bagging Monros in Scotland, or scrambling in the Austrian/Bavarian/Italian alps. Such wonderful memories of special times though. Nevertheless, DH and I try to get out every day with our 2 pooches, and to clock up at least 5k steps, rising to 10k plus when we are in bonny Berwick upon Tweed, with such a wonderful choice of town wall, riverside and coastal walks to enjoy. We're definitely slowing down, but as long as these old legs continue to carry us, we'll soldier on. Definitely good for morale.

At this time of year I'm usually out walking by 7am. I have 3 or 4 different routes, all of which involve hills to some extent. I walk quite fast and usually cover 4-6 miles, though I do take my binoculars every day and have a few pauses to look at birds or even the occasional otter. I've also discovered the Merlin app for bird recognition so I'm sometimes seen walking along with my phone held out in front of me like some demented selfie obsessive!

We have grocery deliveries halfpint because at the moment neither of us can lift a bag of shopping or carry one indoors from the car

It doesn’t stop us walking, living at the coast we walk the beaches and sea front, as long as there is a seat when one of us needs it we’ll carry on enjoying being outside. I’d not want to walk pavements now, we’re lucky, a river walk at the bottom of the garden (not so lucky with the insurance!) and the beach not too far away. This thread has got me thinking, I’m not sure I’d do it alone and a (gentle) walking group could be the way to go.

I have a daily walk for my general feel good factor. I'm fortunate to live close to a very beautiful river and a daily circuit of part of that takes about an hour. Lovely. I stride out when I can but inclement weather can make it dodgy underfoot and I adjust my pace accordingly. Think walking is the cheapest and most straightforward piece of exercise for me. Maybe that means I'm mean and lazy!

I’m an ambler, unless I’m shopping, in which case it’s in and out. Happy to go out most of the time and try to have more of a pace, not in the heat we have now, 28 here, I essentials only at the moment, no dog to walk.

It is good for your mental health and is recommended therapy for people with depression.