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

Dame means same.
Proving there is something that's like a dame.

What about people with agrophobia?

It’s possible to walk without leaving the house. I had a lot to do at home today so didn’t venture out, which is unusual for me. I did manage a 30 minute Japanese walk though (3 minutes fast, 3 minutes slow, alternating) with a very smiley young lady on YouTube guiding me through the delights of Tokyo. So I’ve clocked up just over 8000 steps with that and my normal activities round the house.

Some people walk miles at work each week, too.

Sometimes I wonder just who does these surveys. Either we are fitter here ( I doubt it,somehow) or more health aware because just about everyone I know over the age of 70 makes a conscious effort to exercise in some form or other. All the walking groups round here are thriving and even walking round the shopping centres takes a couple of kms at least, they are huge these days.

I see young people, teenagers and young adults at the bus stop and often think, when I walk past them aged 78, why aren't you walking - only 20 mins walk from here to town, 35 mins max to the railway station and you'd save the bus fare and do your heart good. Yes, I do take the bus but only if I'm short of time or the weather is a problem.

Monday I do a gym class first and then hour
Tuesday I volunteer at my local library so park up and walk
Wednesday it is Pilates followed by volunteer reading
Thursday I go to Walking netball in the morning, choir in the evening
Friday I drag OH out for a walk somewhere or an event.
Saturday it is usually Park Run , although my friend and I walk it (5k)
Sunday might head to the allotment to help weed/ pick/trim produce
Factor in cooking, cleaning, shopping, reading, book group, theatre trips, meeting friends, holidays, knitting a blanket for a friend I think 30 minutes a day might be possible 🤣🤣
I do realise I am very fortunate to have my health although I have arthritis in both hips and lower back . I want to keep going as long as I can . One life, live it .

It is a matter of habit. I have never been able to afford either driving lessons or a car, so walk or ride a bike. Always havve done. These days I am better off than I was formerly, so I can actually afford to take the bus now and again.

I cannot claim to take ten minute walk every day, but I do so at least theree times a week, and often take one or two walks of over an hour's duration.

But as I said, it is a habit, one I formed when I left home at 17 and had no-one to drive me anywhere any longer.

I am fortunate to still be healthy - but, I have no idea if this is connected to my habit of walking, biking, doing my own housework etc. or just sheer luck.

Until my husband had his first Stroke I walked about 3 miles every day. Brisk, timed walking. I also often joined walking groups. Now I can’t find the time and daren’t leave my husband as he is prone to falling.

I have a walking pad in my bedroom which I very occasionally use but I miss being out in the fresh air.

When I lived by the sea I used to walk much more. I would go down to talk to the sea most days as well as volunteering in a Charity shop. Moved 2+ years ago & have nowhere but streets to walk round. So have put on weight & gone up a size. Keep meaning to be more positive but keep thinking why? Nearly 82 so maybe I should put up with slowing down a bit! Feel really guilty tho when I cant fit in my size 12 jeans now. Sad aint I 😂

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.

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 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.

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.

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...

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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 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.