Only 50% of middle age adult manage more than 1 brisk 10 min walk a month.

Casdon

greyfur

I suppose it's always fun to don the judgy pants.
Most people are doing their best.

Do you think? Apart from those who are no longer physically able to walk far, I don’t think that most people can be doing their best, unless the evidence from the research is flawed. I don’t mean elderly people, or people on this thread specifically, but the middle aged and older population as a whole. I hope this initiative succeeds, because it really is in everybody’s own interests to keep as fit as they are able.

Putting this post on here, where some may suffer from poor mobility or have partners who need assistance seems a little "off"

We walked everywere as children and I am glad because I keep the habit.

I've just got back from a 45min walk albeit using my rollator. Im lucky to have a lovely place to walk using paths or through the woods.
I wouldn't say i'm a brisk walker but I hope what I've done is better than nothing.

greyfur

I suppose it's always fun to don the judgy pants.
Most people are doing their best.

Do you think? Apart from those who are no longer physically able to walk far, I don’t think that most people can be doing their best, unless the evidence from the research is flawed. I don’t mean elderly people, or people on this thread specifically, but the middle aged and older population as a whole. I hope this initiative succeeds, because it really is in everybody’s own interests to keep as fit as they are able.

I walk every day, even if it’s only the mile there and back to the supermarket, or a short walk through the local lanes after tea. I also go out with a walking group. When DH was alive we were seasoned hill walkers and even when he could barely put one foot in front of the other he would insist on going out ‘just for half an hour’. I think a hell of a lot more people of all ages take exercise than we think - it’s a ‘thing’ now to join a walking group or a running club (sometimes you can’t move for large groups of people running and they seem to be a good range of ages). Go to any country park and it is full of people of all ages taking advantage of the open spaces.

I agree with Maw’s suggestion regarding walking poles. They help with balance and take a lot of pressure off your knees going down hill. Buy the best you can afford though.

I have walked nearly every day of my adult life.
Where are my vouchers?

I suppose it's always fun to don the judgy pants.
Most people are doing their best.

I walk an hour a day….. then always 20 mins short walk 20 mins after dinner as that keeps your insulin levels low.

I find this hard to believe. I attend gym classes for the over 65 age group. Most of the people who attend are actually in their 70’s. I weight train do cardio and strength workouts. We also do boxing and Pilates. I average 10,000 steps daily. I’m 73 years old.

I was a couch potato much of my life, then I asked my kids for a Fitbit for Christmas one year Since then I've become much more active and consequently lost a lot of weight too.
Since retiring I have joined a 'Simply Walk' group locally which takes a 1 hour walk each week. I used to drive really short distances but now walk to the local shops and I walk to choir practice each week where I used to drive - often brisk on the way there to get there on time but somewhat slower going home!
However I suffered inflammation in my knee a couple of years ago and it took me weeks to get fit enough to do the weekly walk as I slowed down so much as I recovered. I am aware how quickly we lose muscle - I hate really hot weather and spend all my time on the sofa with a fan blowing but even a week of that and I can feel the difference.
Seems to me the issue is whether we take a 'brisk walk' or just walk at a relaxed pace. If we don't get a little bit out of breath we probably aren't doing enough. I certainly get out of breath on the weekly 'Simply Walk' as I struggle to keep up soetimes. Also walking and talking takes more effort than just walking!
However I know I need to do more 'brisk walks'!
I believe every little helps, but sometimes I get a lot of my steps strolling rather than brisk walking. That is probably what this research refers to. I can't believe that 50% of people don't walk for more than 10 minutes a month but I can believe that lots of people rarely take a brisk walk!

No one could keep up with me when it came to walking ( including a charity walk our surgery did with lots of super fit people taking part). Which is why I’m in denial about where I am now.

I used to walk briskly no matter where I was going to I probably walked an hour or more a day walking fast. Then my health failed and I can no longer walk briskly for 10 seconds nevermind minutes.
I'm one of those walking slowly with a trolley, that's if I can actually walk round the shop, I usually have my shopping delivered.

It's heartbreaking for me to have once been fit and active to go to this, not being able to walk 200 yards without stop to catch my breath.
Unfortunately the nhs incentives like vochers won't do anything to get me walking, although getting to see a respiratory dr and neurologist might help.

I used to be quite an active person, the one in the family who would just "nip into shops " and my husband would often ask me to slow down. Loved walking especially up in the dales and on the coast etc etc. After a slipped disc and various other things, I wasnt able to do the walking and dancing that I used to do, and so did more swimming, which was a good way to keep moving in a less painful way. But at nearly 81 my back causes me more problems, and one of the problems is that lack of visible problems.

Years ago I had a broken wrist and arm in plaster. Most people were very helpful and opened doors or whatever. You see those adverts for houses showing the amount of heat lost in red over the roof. Unfortunately there is nothing similar that I can use. To an onlooker , I look very little different , whether I am having a really awful day and in a lot of pain, or a better day coping quite well. So , whilst there are people who dont seem to exercise much, you never know what may be affecting someone. I feel quite annoyed with myself on days I cant do what I want to! I think we have to just try to do our best and encourage the younger members of our family to do things themselves rather than live on their phones.

I don't 'hike'. I sometimes go for a walk.

I don’t mean to be the harbinger of bad news - two of the fittest, very close friends of mine (one used to walk miles every week), just dropped. I ‘m not saying ‘don’t exercise’ - a walk is good for your mind and body, but don’t get paranoid and, don’t brag.
I have reached a fairly good age, without stressing about exercise and dieting.

"I am fortunate enough to not have any physical disabilities and I hike as a hobby.

I am always astonished and I confess irritated when I’m trying to exit a supermarket and there are people in front of me leaning over their trollies walking at a snails pace, I do wonder how they burn any calories!
I think these are the other 50%."

Aren't you lucky to not have any disabilities.

I would be one of those people,leaning on the trolley and not going fast enough for your liking, if there aren't scooters available. I AM disabled. I can walk a little, very slowly, with support. At 57, its hard enough, without thinking about carrying other people's judgement as I try and shop on top of that.

I go with a group 3 times a week and we average 3 miles each time. Also go to local shopping mall andcwalk round that probably a good mile. Have stairs in house so up and down goodness knows how many times a day. Up and down the garden to shed, summer house at least twice a week. Awaiting surgery for severe arthritis in hip so feel I keep active. Once hip is fixed I will be on longer walks.

Maybe opening up the countryside would help. The few public footpaths available soon become a morass in the winter / wet weather, leading to injury. I live in a small town and walk 3/4 miles a day during the Summer, the rest of the year it’s often too difficult. Walking on roads is too dangerous.

Dodgy hip and try my best but years of working with children has taken its toll. Not everyone is lazy just less able bodied.

Used to walk 30-45 minutes most days but tripped on a speed bump 3 weeks ago and faceplanted! Stitches in mouth and face all gone now but have a fractured vertebra (L1) and can only hobble with a stick. Hoping the pain will diminish so I can get back in my routine but I feel I’ve lost confidence and will not be able to go out on my own again. I’m 82 but used to feel 62, now feel quite old and decrepid! I was lucky as I didn’t break teeth or glasses or wrists/hips but now afraid of a cascade of spinal fractures if I fall again.

That’s how I walk round a supermarket, though. My bad knee has resulted in me having a widows stoop which I’m currently trying to work on. Although I struggle to walk outside I can walk round a supermarket because of the trolley; bit like a rollator I suppose.

Sago I see those people leaning over as they push their trolley and my immediate thought is, "stand up straight!" but I suppose they can't. How sad. It's a bad habit to start...

Sago

There is an initiative to get people of middle age and over walking more, there will be incentives in the form of shopping vouchers.

The research behind this is that long term this will save the NHS a lot of money.

I was shocked to read in the article that only 50% of adults manage more than a 10 minute brisk walk a month.

If this is really the case then no wonder we are in such a physical mess.

I am fortunate enough to not have any physical disabilities and I hike as a hobby.

I am always astonished and I confess irritated when I’m trying to exit a supermarket and there are people in front of me leaning over their trollies walking at a snails pace, I do wonder how they burn any calories!
I think these are the other 50%.

Assuming you are fortunate like me to be 100% able bodied do you manage more than 10 minutes a month?

I’m with you my idea of fun is a full day hike (10-12 miles) I exercise regularly, and think nothing g of walking. Since my dog has got elderly I walk less but still more than most,just come back from holiday and I’d happily walk the mile into town and back, and do a bit of shopping. I love walking.

I can understand it must become frustrating for those who cannot walk for 10mins and for some. through no fault of their own cannot walk at all.
When younger we used to take the lads walking in the Lake District, the Peak District or north Wales
I now live in a great area where chaps bring their bikes from quite a distance.
I try to take a daily one hour walk up a steep lane through a wood.

Well, I'm 81 and walk everywhere, this morning it was the car boot, down a lovely lane that smelt wonderful, the hay had been cut, the sun was shining and now I'm knackered...........can't beat it.

I just don't understand people who can walk but don't and for whom a few vouchers would motivate them to do so. I know they exist but I don't get it.