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

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 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!

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

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

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

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.

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'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.

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.

The thread, and my post, are not about other posters on this thread, and I made that clear greyfur. There is clearly a problem with the fitness of the adult population as a whole, or this initiative would be unnecessary.

What are the vouchers going to be for? Starbucks coffees? Money off fuel? M&S vouchers?

I have a dog so walk. But I hope the vouchers are for something I'm able to redeem them for.

Greyfur
I think you are looking to be offended.

It’s thinking the ones who don’t actually exercise are more likely to be those working full time with families depending on them because they are flat chat and have no spare time. They would make up for it in other ways,perhaps, rushing around after kids. Silly survey by the sound of it but I am sure they were well paid and it kept them off the streets.

Sago

Greyfur
I think you are looking to be offended.

Not at all, I am aware of how fortunate I am.

It all depends on definitions. Do they mean people go out with a purpose to specifically take a ten minute walk, or do they mean they happen to walk for 10 minutes as they go about their day?

What about all the other exercise they take: going to the gym, does it include 10 minutes on the tread mill. What about the builders on their feet all day as they reroof our house, or in a shop or a busy warehouse or A&E. last week I was on my feet and moving for three hours. First housework, then decorating then gardening. Does that count or must I top off one of my marathon sessions with a 10 minute walk, for me to be considered to have had exercise.

I am so deeply suspicious of any government attempt to make us take Exercise (with a capital 'E', as distinct from exercise, which is what most of us indulge in, in our normal lives), what they want us to do changes with the latest fad and every government. It wasn't so long ago we were being told that even doing the housework at home was exercise.

I will continue to ignore every government endeavour to improve my health and well being in the approved government manner and will continue to lead the active life I have always led.

IIRC, one of the ‘one things’ advised by Dr Michael Mosley, was to walk for just 15 minutes every day,

IMO the ‘10,000 steps’ advice was very likely counter-productive, in that it very likely made a lot of people think, ‘Well, I’m never going to manage that, so I might as well not bother.’

Witzend

IIRC, one of the ‘one things’ advised by Dr Michael Mosley, was to walk for just 15 minutes every day,

IMO the ‘10,000 steps’ advice was very likely counter-productive, in that it very likely made a lot of people think, ‘Well, I’m never going to manage that, so I might as well not bother.’

Oh the irony.

So sad.

I think you have hit the nail on the head Monica. Here in Australia we are constantly and nauseatingly told how to live our lives. It really is a ‘nanny’ state and it just makes me want to do the opposite.

M0nica

It all depends on definitions. Do they mean people go out with a purpose to specifically take a ten minute walk, or do they mean they happen to walk for 10 minutes as they go about their day?

What about all the other exercise they take: going to the gym, does it include 10 minutes on the tread mill. What about the builders on their feet all day as they reroof our house, or in a shop or a busy warehouse or A&E. last week I was on my feet and moving for three hours. First housework, then decorating then gardening. Does that count or must I top off one of my marathon sessions with a 10 minute walk, for me to be considered to have had exercise.

I am so deeply suspicious of any government attempt to make us take Exercise (with a capital 'E', as distinct from exercise, which is what most of us indulge in, in our normal lives), what they want us to do changes with the latest fad and every government. It wasn't so long ago we were being told that even doing the housework at home was exercise.

I will continue to ignore every government endeavour to improve my health and well being in the approved government manner and will continue to lead the active life I have always led.

But something needs to be done to stop us becoming like America where people drive everywhere. Didn’t Thatcher, along with all the other things she did, sell off school playing fields? I personally think that people need to be educated more in eating healthily but I’m a bit evangelical about it as, even though I can no longer walk outside of the house I’m now at a weight I was pre having children having changed my diet completely ( most of the info coming from instagram).

For M0nica

‘Government studies and the NHS use specific criteria to ensure a walk qualifies as "brisk" and achieves moderate-intensity status:

Pace and Speed: Equivalent to roughly \(3\) miles per hour (mph), which is about a 20-minute mile.

Cadence (Steps): At least \(100\) steps per minute.

The "Talk Test": You can tell your pace is correct if you can still talk to a companion, but you cannot sing the words to a song.’

Sago

Witzend

IIRC, one of the ‘one things’ advised by Dr Michael Mosley, was to walk for just 15 minutes every day,

IMO the ‘10,000 steps’ advice was very likely counter-productive, in that it very likely made a lot of people think, ‘Well, I’m never going to manage that, so I might as well not bother.’

Oh the irony.

So sad.

Yes, I didn’t want to mention the irony aspect as regards Dr MM…

So presumably 10 minutes on a treadmill at a gym is sufficient.

M0nica

So presumably 10 minutes on a treadmill at a gym is sufficient.

I can only do 1 mph but do put the gradient up.

I have arthritis and find walking keeps things moving. I do two walks a day usually and use my Fitbit to ensure I do 13,000 steps a day at least. Most days it’s much more.