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

(12 Posts)
Sago Fri 03-Jul-26 08:26:05

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?

Casdon Fri 03-Jul-26 08:30:59

I do, and I don’t believe that more than 50% of able bodied people don’t, to be honest, surely everybody is rushing somewhere at least once a month unless they are already disabled or elderly?

Iam64 Fri 03-Jul-26 08:32:36

I’m recovering from chronic fatigue thst followed a series of infections in February. I usually walk two or three miles a day but that’s impossible. I’m managing a gentle half hour but I’m shocked by how quickly my leg muscles diminished by days when I sat or dosed much of the time

Walking is usually a real pleasure. Anyway onwards and upwards, I’ll be strolling with the dogs in half an hour

Cath9 Fri 03-Jul-26 08:37:58

Being retired I try and take a daily walk for an hour up a deep lane in the woods then down a field. Being sheltered with the trees it is possible when it rains and during the hot spell.

tanith Fri 03-Jul-26 08:45:33

I'm shocked by that figure too. I do have O/A which I just try to ignore and walk every day rain and shine around 40 mins a day try to take different route most days I turn on Merlin so its listening for birds as I walk, my favourite walk is following the brook that runs nearby until the vegetation takes over and a machete is needed to hack my way along the bank 😂. We all need to walk more just a stroll to the end of the road to start you off, you might find you actually enjoy it.

Aveline Fri 03-Jul-26 08:45:34

I got so fed up during lockdown having to do a half hour walk every day. I was thoroughly sick of all our local routes. My step count averages out at 8000 steps a week and this includes three Aquafit sessions. I also do 700+ active minutes a week. We're supposed to do 75 or 150 less strenuous minutes.
Remaining inactive for 30 minutes at a time has shown to reduce life expectancy so I get up and move about doing ordinary activities every once in a while if reading or watching TV.

dogsmother Fri 03-Jul-26 08:50:39

I enjoy my walking too, refuse to count steps as it becomes a bit obsessive and unnecessary in my view. I do occasionally look at the counter. In my phone as it’s usually with me, but at one point I was wearing a fitness watch so I didn’t miss any steps and that I think was too much.

SueDonim Fri 03-Jul-26 09:30:51

I never really think about what I’m doing exercise-wise, it bores me silly, but I spend quite a lot of time chasing after my two cats and my GC. Also this week I’ve been moving very briskly avoiding the rain - I got doused five times in two days on Tuesday/wed!

I’m off to a playpark later on with three children as the holidays have begun here in Scotland - that’ll keep me on the go.

What next, though - vouchers for getting out of bed??

Calendargirl Fri 03-Jul-26 09:38:24

Never mind ‘middle age’.

I go to aquacise classes, I bet I am much fitter than some of the younger ones there, probably in their 30’s, 40’s, 50’s. (I’m in the 70’s category).

They just don’t do much, very lethargic, I know it’s up to us how much we put into it, but honestly…..

AGAA4 Fri 03-Jul-26 09:42:50

I have arthritis in both hips but still walk for an hour on most days. I used to be able to walk for longer.
I have always done quite a lot of walking and did a job that was mostly on my feet all day.
I always found it funny that people would park as close to the entrance of shops even the gym to avoid walking.

Grannybags Fri 03-Jul-26 09:44:44

We walk about 4 miles most days. Used to be more but getting on a bit now!

I have two sons. One doesn't have a car and walks everywhere,
the other doesn't walk much at all.

You can tell by looking at them which is which!

Samsara1 Fri 03-Jul-26 09:57:06

I do a fair bit of walking on and off the golf course . Last week we were on holiday in Puglia on an escorted tour walking every day. i already had bursitis and tendonitis but stupid me went ahead when Dh would have liked to cancel the holiday. So I am paying for it now. I juts hope it settles down if I am careful for a while. Too much walking can be a bad thing in my case.