Walking? Benefits and any other comments.

I started walking more a few years ago when I got a Fitbit to encourage moving more. At first I had to force myself to go out for a walk in the evening to achieve my daily target but as time went on I found I often achieved it during the day just by a bit more moving around. I started to walk to things where I used to drive.

Eventually all this, plus a change in my medication, resulted in major weight loss and generally getting much fitter. Since retiring I have joined a 'Simply Walk' group for a weekly walk unless the weather is seriously bad. I'm not the fastest of walkers but have much more stamina than I did. I struggle to keep up with my daughter if we go out together, which is frustrating for her, so we often plan a walk where I go part way, have a sit down somewhere nice then head back to the car. She does the full walk and meets me back there.

Now I find I look forward to an excuse to walk to the local shop just for an odd item where once I'd have left it to another day.

I'm only sad that Fitbit have removed their challenges so I can no longer compete in step challenges with friends who also have a Fitbit. My daughter was so disappointed that when her latest Fitbit developed a fault she bought a different brand. They have done themselves no favours!

Have you tried audiobooks while you’re walking, Saggi? I download them from our library service, free, which is just as well when you get a reader whose voice grates on you and you can just stop them in their whiny tracks! Podcasts can help the time fly as well.

I don’t drive so walking is and always has been my way of life. I walk between 3-5 miles a day out of necessity. I don’t walk for pleasure…..my pleasure is reading and I can’t do that while walking ! I have quite often walked 12 miles ,while on a day .out to London….not owing a car has certainly kept me fit I must say . Just try doing without the car for a month and see how you get on!
The last 6 months I’ve had a torn cartilage and it’s nearly stopped me in my tracks …. the pain is horrible. But even so I’m still doing at least 2 miles a day.

I walk up to the Village every weekday (not actually a village but a fairly central area of the city) to do a bit of shopping and get some exercise. Its up a very long steep hill and has quite a few stairs involved, which is good as I live in a ground floor flat. All pavement, unfortunately, but at least weather is not a problem as grass can be muddy and unpleasant when its wet. It gives me at least my 30 minutes a day recommended exercise - albeit slow exercise on the way up lol, it is a really steep hill. I have arthritis in my knees so have to be careful when going down the steps, no problem with going up them. I am suffering with depression and have to force myself to get out most days or I would become a hermit

I’m just back from a lovely brisk walk on a country path just up the road from us, which is shaded by trees all the way. Half an hour, 3600 steps. Unusually, I didn’t meet another soul - it was just me and the birds and a couple of squirrels. I feel it set me up nicely for the day.

I walk twice a day with my dogs. One of them is a collie and much like your parsons they need to get out and about. This weather the other dog and I amble along and leave the collie to attempt to herd whatever he finds. In winter we all stride out. The health benefits are great for both physical and mental well-being for me and the dogs.

I need a purpose for a walk and miss old friends that used live near and letter writing so always a need to get to the post by a certain time. Nowadays I use podcasts to motivate me to get going. I have a step counter on my phone and it does surprise me how much one logs just going around shops/doing errrands even if you have driven to location.

Walking is LOVELY and so worth getting in the habit of. Brisk and slow, soaking up the countryside and the trees. I have read so often that it is the best possible exercise. It's also good for 'mental health'. (hate that phrase!)
And of course the best way to ensure you walk is GET A DOG!

cornergran

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 recently bought 2 x 25kg bags of small stones for my garden
in an effort to give more cover from the heat. I asked the
Garden Centre to put them in the boot of my car which they
kindly did. At home I transferred small buckets from the
stone packs to the garden, well that was good exercise!
Where there's a will there's a way and muscles only get better
with use.

keepcalmandcavachon

AND you always meet nice folk out walking!

Depends where- many places where I go, I meet lots of wildlife but no-one at all. Which is great too.

I quite like walking, but really do it because of the health benefits. Once I have forced myself to start I do enjoy walking in the countryside, especially by water. I am by nature an ambler but my husband is a brisk walker, which means I speed up when walking with him. I also belong to a u3a walking group, which also involves quite a brisk walk of 4-6 miles.

I walk twice a day with my Border Terrier, he needs his exercise & expects to go out so off we go in all weathers. Sometimes we do a shorter circuit sometimes we go quite a bit further. I’m currently getting up earlier to get out before it gets too hot and we are enjoying our early morning walks. Like many on here I have some arthritis & some mornings I feel stiff and achy and could happily not bother but once I’m out & moving I enjoy it, always people to chat to and things to see. Wish it burnt a few more calories though.

AND you always meet nice folk out walking!

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

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.

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!

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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 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.