How do I learn to enjoy walking - and walk more?

You could try listening to music or the radio whilst you walk?

Maw, that sounds just like me. I just can't get motivated in the day to day. When we were away, we walked further than I have for ages. It was because it was a new area I think, and a pleasant place to be. I hope that there are lots of suggestions coming soon.

I can't walk the distances I used to - seven or eight miles is about my limit now, especially if there are inclines involved - but I find I don't notice the distance so much if I have a walking buddy that I can chat with (walking dogs sounds just the thing). Ideally, it's DS because he loves to walk and never stops talking, but he doesn't often come down for long enough to go out for a good walk.

I find a purpose or a focal point helps. Walk to post a letter, drop off an excess courgette, get a pint of milk, go to pick some greenery for flowers.
Also the Fitbit is a demanding companion. It buzzes if I sit for two long and rewards me for reaching my daily target. It's a big motivator for me.
Can't think of anything better than a dog for demanding a walk though!

too not two. I do know the difference!

After I was out of action for two months last year with a damaged back I was horrified how unfit I had become in such a short period. What had been a long walk every day started as quite a short walk every other day and it took me three months to return to my usual walking pattern.
I find getting a habit of walking is essential. Choose a time that is easy and comfortable for you. I am an early walking walker. If I am not out by 8.00am, that's it.

Maw, like you I live in a village and I walk all the local footpaths and watch how the country around me develops and changes during the seasons. What can beat standing on the top of the down behind the village in June and listening to the larks in the sky above me. Currently it is the autumn change and the colours that are making my heart sing and getting me out everyday. Look around you as you walk. In autumn always have a bag with you and forage for blackberries, crab apples, greengages and sloes (for sloe gin)

Find something interesting in the area you walk (for town dwellers; the age and design of buildings, wondering how roads got their names, admiring gardens). Once you have that walking is easy.

I too need a kick up the proverbial! The country lanes near me are a bit boring, I can't walk anywhere like a shop or pub., they are at least 3 miles away. My best option is to drive to Minsmere, about 15 mins, then walk there. It's safer and varied, nice cafe too .....not a good idea I know.

I'll have to try downloading something onto my android to listen to while I walk.

I so identify with this post ... now I know what I need "an excess courgette!" Thanks Eglantine. I get the point though - a purpose, that's what I need.

maw I don't think there's an easy answer, if there was you would have found it. I rarely walked before we moved close to the sea, the beach walk motivates me. I love it but believe the coast isn't near you so different motivation needed. Having said that I have to accept my own physical limitations, my baseline is 10 minutes and sometimes that is all I can do. So there is also something about accepting reality. In your case I imagine you would also worry about leaving paw for too long at the moment so you may need to factor that in. I think Monica is right, try to find a focus that interests you, something to occupy the mind, then build up distance and stamina gradually. I watch waves and clouds, enjoy sea air and before I know it I have walked as far as I am able and above all enjoyed it and feel much more relaxed. I hope you find your key to walking soon and can have the same relaxation.

Maw; this is exactly how I am. I used to LOVE walking and walked everywhere. Strangely enough, I seem to be able to walk round shops etc for ages but can't get the motivation to do a 'proper' walk (and I'm currently 5 minutes walk from Bamburgh beach). Don't know when this happened or whether it has been a gradual process.Same problem with reading; something I used to do all the time. Think I need to make a chart (as one might do with a small child) and give myself gold stars if I walk x miles a day.

I need a boot up the proverbial too.

I like to keep busy so sometimes first thing in the morning is not on and then, by later on in the day, I've got lots of other things on the agenda.

On another point - do you walk before or after your short. I know it seems superficial but my hair (particularly) looks awful before my shower but would then look dreadful after if I get hot and sweaty!

My DH has started walking every day. Walks about 6 miles a day. We live in the Lakes so lovely scenery. Has lost one and a half stone and feels so much better for it. He walks even when the weather is bad. I walk, cycle and play table tennis.

Does it have to be walking? I play table tennis and absolutely love it - I was useless to start with but have improved with time. I also do line dancing - both activities are through my membership of the local U3A.

According to the 'Live Longer' tv program, your body age can be over 20years more than your real age if you don't exercise, but if you're going to keep it up, you need to enjoy it.

Maw, pity we don't live next door to each other so we motivate each other. I suspect one key issue is we aren't 39 any more. The other for you is how caring for Paw will tire you physically and emotionally. I find hills beyond me these days and an hours walk rather than half a day is becoming enough. The dogs are my motivation, walking round one of our reservoirs avoids too many inclines and I can do an hour enjoyably. Give yourself a break, walk a bit, rest x

Maw, you have my sympathy and empathy too! I am like you - just had a very good NHS m.o.t. in every way, except for weight - sigh!

I have been very sedentary for the past 6 months, firstly through ill heath and then through habit. I have bursts where I try to conscientiously reach the '10,000' steps target, but if I do not go out, that is hard to achieve, short of walking in circles around furniture and up and down the stairs for the sake of it.

As a sort of 'mini' exercise routine, I do make a point a couple of times a week of going up and down said stairs until I have reached a count of 1,000. Boring, but it must help! Maybe this is the way to go (though not if you live in a bungalow ha ha!)

I don't have a stepometer - or whatever it is that you use to count and I know this fad of trying to ensure you do 10,000 steps a day is now on thw wane and we are into the '10 minutes of BRISK walking' instead. But somewhere within all the different bits of advice is that simple ' get moving' idea.

Maybe the simplest thing for you will be extending your walks with the gorgeous Hattie at your own time and pace.

I know I have slowed up. I am hoping that getting back to full-time work will now make a good difference especially as some elements of the job will be physical.

The very fact that you are thinking all of this through is a good thing, I am sure, so good luck and let us know if you find a way/s to make a difference.

Incidentally, I used to have a dog called Hattie - 57 varieties with a fair bit of collie and mad as a box of frogs! I think I was at my fittest then, walking her along a stretch of local beach every day. Power to you! xx

This very much depends on where you live, what your commitments are and your friends. Only you can decide what fits in with your lifestyle - and that really ought to include your new dog.

You have to look at your situation and make a plan and stick to it - come rain, hail or shine.

And buy yourself a cheap Fitbit to monitor your steps. Mine cost about £80(?) and tells me how many of my steps are 'active' ones. And clip it to your torso (I clip mine into my jeans picket) because if you wear it on your wrist it doesn't give true readings for the obvious reason that you can move your arms without moving your arse body.

Getting fitter, losing weight, etc. all start in the head.

Imperfect I think the change from number of steps to brisk walks is because recent surveys show that from middle age onwards so many CBA'd to do anything and this is a desperate attempt to get them to do something

So pleased others share my lack of energy, motivation,with the nagging guilt of use it or lose it,when I would like to curled up but the legs just wont bend easily into the position on the sofa with my latest book or on GN...is that whats known as sofa surfing....I need a purpose to get me walking and too often so much to do and the car is the only way to fit in the time and distance to be covered

I can walk but my back joints just get more painful the further I go. However I will set off now on foot to the hairdresser as I just have time.

I was very good about doing 10,000 steps a day for a couple of years. I would go for an evening walk to top up the steps during the day. I've now found it's just too boring. I've walked the same city streets so many times I know the gardens and architecture inside out. I don't have anyone to walk with and am not a dog person, nor do I think it's safe to listen to music.

Having 2 spaniels means that we have to go out, rain or shine. At least they provide some amusement, watching them darting in and out of the undergrowth, though walking the same venue can get boring for us. It helps that DH and I do the afternoon walk together so we chat as we go along, and we go between 3 or 4 different woodland areas. We have both noticed though that we are willing to 'turn around when possible' sooner than we used to.

I'm still trying to keep the habit of wallking, but with two artificial knees it's difficult to go too far. After a while they get sore and then my back decides to join in, then my neck.
Old age!

GrandmaMoira; amongst many other jobs at the time, I was my village litter picker.3 hours a week for 14 years (post divorce it was just enough to guarantee that I could continue to look after the family pony). Alas, it put me off walking round my village. I seem to need the motivation of new sights to see when out walking. The constant worry that, at some point during the walk the bladder will start to struggle puts me off, also! And yet I can happily do 20 minutes on the treadmill at the gym (which I go to either all the time or not at all; yet another problem; motivation).

Try short walks in your local area . I've taken up Nordic walking and it's really good and social .