to ask if anyone has a LONG walking commute every day

For the two years I had one kid in nursery and one in school, mine was just over an hour - fairly fast pace, some of it with pushchair. I'd started WFH (Covid era) and so it was: take DD1 to school, take DD2 to nursery (which was past my house, in the opposite direction, and same location as my work!) then back home to work - and do it all in reverse at the end of the day. We only had one car and there wasn't another feasible option. I actually quite liked it - mostly. Felt very fit and a good brisk stride was a nice bookend to the working day.

My daughter walks about an hour each way to work and enjoys it. To be fair, it’s partly to save the bus fare but she was fed up with the unreliability of the buses and figured that if you’re walking at least you know when you’ll arrive. She has podcasts or music on and feels it has been good for her in loads of ways. Nothing to lose by giving it a go!

A friend walks 20 miles to work, 2-3 times a week. Cross country. Gets the bus home. He’s unsurprisingly fit as a fiddle. Batshit but in great shape.

I would do this if it wasn’t so hilly on the walk, and I wasn’t carting a heavy laptop bag back and forth. I’ve done the walk there without my bag before and I really enjoyed it. The steep uphill walk with a few kilos on my back, particularly in the dark/cold/wet/heat is sadly what stops me doing it though.

I’d love to figure out a way I could just walk there.

Just try it. Just do one day a week and see how you go then build it up. I’d love to do this but I work seven miles away. Cycling is not an option either.

Yes I used to walk three miles to work and back. There was a bus that would take me most if the way if I couldn’t be bothered for the return home but I did it most days. I used to cycle about seven miles to work when in another job but the return journey was a gentle incline so I got fed up with that (plus this was London decades ago when there wasn’t any bike paths).

I used to- done good music and I was set each way! I think it’s a great idea, just make sure a plastic bag in your bag and a change of clothes in work just in case!

What's your point?

I don’t do this but I should - one day last summer I walked to work and was surprised to find it was only 5km and took me about an hour. I have bus and train options which make me lazy, but I am trying to do it more if it suits my day.

I did it for years. One hour there and one hour back. 8hr physical shift in a restaurant. I loved it.

just put music in your ears and take an umbrella.

I used to have a 5km commute to work, so probably not quite as far as you. I walked to work very quickly, and did the couch to 5k on the way home. It was the only way I could embed exercise in my routine so I embraced it!

Go for it!

Get some comfortable walking shoes/trainers (can you leave a pair of smarter shoes at work?), and a decent waterproof - though you’ll be surprised at how little rain coincides exactly with your commuting hours.

If you like to listen to music or podcasts as you walk, get over ear headphones - in ear ones aren’t great for 2 hours a day.

You are not being stupid. Going for walks is healthy. Not too sure how tired you are after work but it seems like your committed. Just try.

I could walk to work in about 50 mins but it’s all along fairly busy roads and I worry about breathing in all the traffic pollution.

Oh one thing I would add is consider buying a coat with a peaked hood, possibly even one with a wire in it. It means when you put it up you can have it far enough forward that the rain doesn't run down your face. As a glasses wearer this is a massive boon for me.

I think its a fantastic idea. I got up to 20k steps a day and I had to increase my food as the weight was dropping off. I also greatly increased my fitness. I never bothered with changes of clothes. A longish waterproof coat with a hood, a backpack and trainers/comfy boots and off you go. Podcasts or tunes to pass the time.

An hour to and an hour back, mixed in with lunchtime walking.
Either that or an hour on a crowded London bus.

I walk to and from train station about 45 mins away. I used to take the bus and started out just before Covid just walking home once a week. First time I got home absolutely drenched in sweat and had to have a long sit down (it is a bugger of a hill).

Once I could do that comfortably, I started increasing my pace and frequency. Then added walking to the station in the morning. My step count is 30k a day and I lost loads of weight.

I do it in the pouring rain (protected species raincoat which is amazing) and in the sun too. Only in the snow do I take the bus because of the hill.

I would if I had other options in really bad weather.

When I lived in London I used to walk as much as I could. As well as a 45/50minute commute. Stout shoes that were waterproof and smart were a priority. Always walked briskly.
I had some home made weights and an exercise routine that I could do at home. Best of all worlds. You will probably enjoy it OP.

I did this when I was younger, I loved it! Walked across London, along the river and past some landmarks all while it was quiet, also did it as an hour cycle each way in a different location but both times I was as fit as I have ever been, felt great, lost loads of weight and it was a great way to start the day!

Many years ago, I had a long walk to work
Then I bought a bicycle which was quicker

I didn't drive until dd was 4 and we got a school place in the next village, so I had to. Always picked jobs where I would be able to either commute by train or walk a max of an hour to/from. Hardest in Winter, but lovely in Spring/Autumn plus you can listen to a podcast/music and keep a sense of self going which I missed in the car having to play Elsa (urgh, still makes me shudder!). You always feel slightly pious too which is nice if you like a pastry now and then 🙂