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

I know you said no walking groups, but in our area there are weekly health walks which start at our local library, they are not too long and you don't need to book in advance, you just turn up. Maybe there is something like this in your area, it might be worth asking at your library or GPs surgery

Firstly, you have to be brutally honest to yourself. Accept the fact that you are NOT healthy - you are overweight and cannot walk distances and your are burdening you ageing heart and that could lead to the onset of heart problems or a heart attack!

Once you can honestly accept those facts then that alone should motivate you towards changing your habits and make a commitment that you will stick to ....walking groups, line dancing group, walking the dog three times a day ...... Whatever you choose it all starts with you - our suggestions are just ideas but you need to take action now if you value your life!

I used to walk everywhere when I lived in London for 50 years! as I loved all the sights and sounds and didn't want to miss anything...my favourite was Kensington Gardens and still is, each time I go back to London I nip into M&S grab a sandwich walk up to the serpentine and back to Kensington Gardens and sit and eat the sandwich! I have lived for 11 years in a small village near the sea in North Yorkshire and frankly I'm bored with the same walk day in day out...unless I get a dog like everybody else here...not for me I'm afraid. I can get in a car to go on organised walks, but that defeats the object. You can take the girl out of the city, but you can't take the city out of the girl, as they say!

I make myself walk every afternoon after lunch and my morning jobs from 40 minutes to an hour every day, rain, shine or snow. I take a book and read it as I go. I do it to keep my figure, to keep fit and because it is one of the five essential to ward off Alzheimer's.

Then I come in, sit down with tea, cake and, often, a hot water bottle for my freezing cold feet and usually fall asleep. Bliss. I feel I have earned it.

I used to be a great walker - 12 miles was just a pleasant stroll, but now, with severe arthritis those days are past!
I try to do four or five ten minute walks during the day, and go as briskly as I can manage. It's very enjoyable and makes me feel better, tho' I can't deny it's painful sometimes.
Start small with one ten minute walk, and gradually increase the time. Don't be afraid to drive somewhere beautiful for your trek - it still counts!

I know a very sprightly 86 year old who walks for 30 mins morning and evening, just round her local roads. Something I should start to do.
First buy some really cushioned shoes, then a mac then I will be out there.

I try to walk 10,000 steps a day - a phone app tells me if I am successful - mostly I am. Having a dog helps and wearing it in the supermarket or cleaning the house also helps.

I expect you've seen that ad on TV about going for a brisk 10 minute walk - this has motivated me a little. Could you perhaps do this as often as possible (weather permitting) for a week or so and then slowly build up to a longer walk?
It helps to vary it a bit as the same route gets a bit samey.

I had to get fit a couple of years ago (husband v ill - chemo - good now). I decided to do 3 different things every week, firstly to get fit and second to have something non-medical going on in my life. For me it was, Pilates, a swim, a Zumba session. I put them in the calendar and just made myself go rain or shine, inclined or not. Always felt bucked up afterwards - so you can guess I still do it although the 'need' has evaporated. Maybe try a similar strategy with whatever is available near you? (Also made some friends )

I have to listen to music as I walk but have to really resist the urge to dance ?when a good tune comes on !!
Have you a neighbour to drag along, it goes quicker if you chat ??‍♀️??‍♀️

Mawbroon I think you've found your answer by starting with two short walks a day now make sure you up-date us on your progress to 3x short or two longer ones.
I could hardly walk up the hill a few years ago after bereavement but built up gradually by going round the block and then two. What also heloed was the parking fees at the shops so always walked & my son buying me a step counter & competing with him (until he stopped!). Not open to you I know but GC care in London & walking everywhere really got me going with so much to see & do. I still do it without them, not just in London. Looking for fungi also gets me out. I was really against group walking but I tried and can choose times & length of walk. I hate the route marchers so choose the group that suits me and have met all kinds of interesting people. I can still do lone walks if I don't want to chat.
You've taken the first step, & you can always take a book and have a break somewhere (village pub?)

What do you like when you're out and about?

If it's shops then get to the shops and walk round the shops - every day!

OR

Walk around a museum or art gallery. Then when you're at home, look up something about what you've seen. Repeat every day for a week. You'll see more and more and learn more and more and won't notice that you're walking around more

OR

Do 10 mins twice a day, either down the street and back or round your house

OR

Do 5 minutes round your garden or round the block every hour - that would be a lot of walking if you did it 5 or 6 times every day - and the dog would love you!

OR

walk to the bus stop and go on a bus somewhere and then walk home. Again the dog would love you.

OR

whilst you're watching your favourite TV programme walk round your living room or walk on the spot - but keep going for the whole programme

OR

meet a friend for a coffee and a walk - no coffee until you've done your walk

OR

Fitbits are a bit expensive so just try a pedometer and walk 100 more steps each day until you're up to 10,000. You could start with 1000 and work up.

A ten minute walk with my dog would result in two minutes walking and eight minutes sniffing in one place (my last dog wasn't a sniffer, but this one does nothing but!).

Perhaps we should start a Gransnet walking club.

Join a walking group or start one yourself.Seems like you have some good paths nearby.

RosemarySuperager. How nice of you to say that walking around the shops counts as exercise! I adore shopping, I rarely buy anything, I just love looking. I don't know why, but it always makes me feel vaguely guilty and self-indulgent.
Now with the excuse of good exercise, I shall shop 'til I drop.

Yes it always amuses me that my Fitbit doesn't differentiate my walking healthily in the woods (dog lovely) and shopping in an indulgently casual manner

Add comment | Report | Private message Macgran43 Fri 22-Sep-17 20:07:35
Join a walking group or start one yourself.Seems like you have some good paths nearby.

If that was addressed to me, it won't work. As I said, walking groups are not an option as I have to snatch the time when I can (paw needs 24 hour care) and a regular commitment is out of the question.
However a quick walk through the play area (grass) round to the village shop this morning, to get a paper while waiting for today's carer to arrive was a move in the right direction!'

Oh how I empathise with those of you who have bad backs. I attend an back injury specialist once a month who keeps telling me to exercise more but it's soooo hard and uncomfortable. I know if I don't I will seize up. I do swim most days and do specialised Pilates once a week and walk a little way to the shops but walking is very uncomfortable and I need a stick as comfort prop. I'm thinking of using a walking [not running!!!!] machine and a cycling machine - I have the latter but the seat cuts me in half so I'm not keeping that. Walking is definitely NOT my favourite form of exercise but perhaps Nordic walking might be worth investigating

Having a dog helps and wearing it in the supermarket or cleaning the house also helps

Love this mental image BRedhad59!!
Do I drape her round my shoulders (like a fox fur)?

MawBroon don't usually reply to posts but have you thought about photography ...just taking photos makes me happy especially at this time of year with the leaves changing colour and it reminds me of the walks we do...if you are arty you could make your own birthday / Christmas cards, or paint a picture. I also started a happy book putting in comments and photos of my walks to look back on. Might be some ideas to help get you motivated x

That's a good idea. You could post them on Twitter Maw.

I thought about Nordic walking poles because they're supposed to help sciatica but how on earth would I cope with the dogs?

I'd be wracked with guilt if I went for a walk without them.

Not only that but, if the S.O. has the dog and I have the poles I worry that I might impale one of her feet into the sand....

tegan my dogs a sniffer!! Drives me insane when he's on the lead and even when he's off the lead sometimes he ends up a dot in the distance still sniffing away as I continue on our walk.
He's a terrier, what yours?