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Original poster

To not understand the need for "walks"

409 replies

walkingDisaster22 · 14/04/2022 18:06

Anyone else similar to me and not understand the need for walks or enjoyment in walking.
My in laws are obsessed with walking and think i'm odd (or maybe a sloth!) for not wanting to go out daily walking.
Where is the enjoyment in mud and rain? I would rather chill with a good book. Please tell me I'm not on my own?

OP posts:
Livinthedream84 · 16/04/2022 11:18

2 years ago when I was so stressed with my job and I actually thought about what would happen if I stepped off the train platform in front of the train, walking saved my life. Just getting out everyday and clearing my head helped me carry on. Fresh air and physical activity also stopped me from binge eating and finding my love of nature again gave me a purpose. So yer I love walking!! Everyday!!

BeyondMyWits · 16/04/2022 11:29

I have a dog, if he's walked twice a day he is pleasantly behaved for the whole rest of the day.

Walking is free, gets me exercise, mental escape, fresh air, vitamin D, raises heart rate, increases bone strength and I interact with people in the neighbourhood. Also take an extra couple of bags and pick up litter on the way round. Win win.

Doesn't feel so great on a wet day, but I know it is doing me good anyhow.

Nidan2Sandan · 16/04/2022 11:38

I enjoyed going for a walk, until lockdown and that being the only option for getting out the house.

Now the suggestion of going for a walk brings up too much negative connections with the unjust imprisonment lockdowns forced upon us and the emotional trauma I felt from being locked down.

Now, I'd rather go for a run on the treadmill than ever "go for a walk" again.

Cultureclub · 16/04/2022 11:40

It's certainly intrinsically linked to good mental health for me. It's free and doesn't involve any expensive gear or preparation.
If you don't want to walk that's fine but it's important for many and it's a grim world out there for a lot of people.

Viviennemary · 16/04/2022 11:50

I think its madness. And agree some people are obsessive. Can't see the attraction myself. Those dog folk are the worst.

LindaEllen · 16/04/2022 12:18

I love walks if it's nice weather, and somewhere really pretty. But just walking for the sake of walking? No thanks. I'd rather swim for exercise.

Fairislefandango · 16/04/2022 12:22

I think its madness

Getting exercise and fresh air is madness?! Quite the opposite in fact - it's medically agreed that it's excellent for your mental health as well as your physical health. But what do those doctors know, eh?

Pet8 · 16/04/2022 12:29

I don't drive and there are no parks nearby. I loved walking where I used to live. Four parks close by, including one huge magnificent park.
I live by endless houses, not even broken up by shops unless you count supermarkets and drive thru fast food chains. My psychiatrist keeps telling me to get out and enjoy nature around my neighbourhood. There are a few trees on the main road. Even the dogshite filled field facing is now an almost completed housing project. The beautiful single cherry tree pulled down for this new build.

ldontWanna · 16/04/2022 13:40

@Fairislefandango

I think its madness

Getting exercise and fresh air is madness?! Quite the opposite in fact - it's medically agreed that it's excellent for your mental health as well as your physical health. But what do those doctors know, eh?

If it's something that the person enjoys and needs.

Yes it can be beneficial and a life saver to many people,but not everyone is the same so we can't generalise that it is great and helpful to all people.

Probably the same people that don't "get " because they don't get the happy feels and endorphins, or worse the stimulation and sensory overload of the "outside" is actually painful or overwhelming.

Wheresmywoolyjumpers · 16/04/2022 14:00
  1. There is joy in moving.
  2. It is great to be out in nature, where we evolved to be.
  3. It is great on nice days.
  4. On not such nice days, that can be really exhilerating and even when i is a slog, it is great to come back, feel the benefit of the exercise and enjoy being at home.
Fairislefandango · 16/04/2022 14:03

Gentle exercise like walking is beneficial to the health of anyone who is physically able to do it. And the fact that someone doesn't want to do it because they don't like exercise does not necessarily mean it wouldn't in most cases benefit their mental health if they did it. There are loafs of people who did walk and disliked walking but had a complete revelation about its benefits after taking it up during lockdown.

Yes there will be some people who really can't due to physical inability or fairly extreme issues which prevent them from being able to go outside, which must be really hard for them, but I doubt that applies to any more than a very small proportion of the walking haters.

I really sympathise also with those who walk or who would like to, but live in an area where they don't feel safe to walk, or where their environment is dirty and horrible.

DoubleShotEspresso · 16/04/2022 14:26

I am so with you OP.

cannot think of anything more pointlessly tedious tbh, perfectly happy to walk on my way to do something, but to walk about aimlessly in the woods or round a park, nah I just end up thinking of al the things I could be doing indoors.

Alphabet1spaghetti2 · 16/04/2022 14:43

@Fairislefandango
My lockdown waking revelation was three fold - 1, I really missed swimming, 2, I walk enough at work 3, walking without a purpose really really annoys me 🤣

Seriously though walking does have lots of benefits and doesn’t need to be solely seen as a stand alone exercise like playing badminton, more it’s something that can be incorporated into daily lives in general rather than as ‘mandated exercise’ and still we reap the benefits.

BrightOrangeOrange · 16/04/2022 15:11

@DoubleShotEspresso

I am so with you OP.

cannot think of anything more pointlessly tedious tbh, perfectly happy to walk on my way to do something, but to walk about aimlessly in the woods or round a park, nah I just end up thinking of al the things I could be doing indoors.

Indoors? What even when the weather is nice?

I hate being stuck indoors; especially when the sun is shining.

DoubleShotEspresso · 16/04/2022 15:16

@BrightOrangeOrange yes I'm much more of an indoors type really - also pale faced and burn easily which perhaps clouds my thinking . I'm generally not a "let's go and sit in the garden", more a "isn't it lovely the back doors open" kind of person. Maybe I'm weird 🤷🏼‍♀️

ithoughtisawapuddycat · 16/04/2022 15:20

Having recently discovered the joy of walking after losing weight, I love it. I've had some fab walks with my dad, trudging through mud, eating wild fruit, long talks - my body has been able to do more than its done in probably 25 years!

But I don't always want to walk as I can be lazy too. Hubby and I live by the beach and love a walk on the beach or on the promonade.

BrightOrangeOrange · 16/04/2022 15:21

DoubleShotEspresso

Not weird, just different to me.

When the sun's gone in though my DH likes to sit at the top of the garden. As soon as it gets cooler I like to be inside.

Livpool · 16/04/2022 15:52

I like walking - but only in nice weather.
I wouldn't go out in the rain

MinglingFlamingo · 16/04/2022 16:50

I only like walking if it's decent weather, the dog is with me and there's tea & cake at some point on the walk

My whole family are walkers and I don't get it.

Fairislefandango · 16/04/2022 17:47

My lockdown waking revelation was three fold - 1, I really missed swimming, 2, I walk enough at work 3, walking without a purpose really really annoys me

Grin My walking always has a purpose, because I have a large, energetic dog. I hated walking as a child and teenager though- I was lazy and also just thought it was pointless. I was a latecomer both to exercise for health and exercise for enjoyment!

Benjispruce4 · 16/04/2022 20:37

Had 2 long walks today with the dog. First was with DH and just back with DD who is home from uni. Clocked up 14000 steps on the walks alone(phone counted). Was such lovely weather today and a great opportunity to talk.

Blueskybird · 16/04/2022 22:03

I love walking I like to just do it just with the dog though I find real peace in it. However I get it’s not for everyone just as I would LOVE to “need” the gym everyday It will never happen

Mirw · 17/04/2022 15:29

Walking is an exercise that costs nothing. People are encouraged to exercise to keep healthy. Why pay for gym membership when you can go for a walk? Lift weights? Carry a ruxsac on your walk or walk to the supermarket and walk home with your groceries on your back. You are the strange one for 1. Not getting the exercise bit and 2. For not understanding that free exercise is good for your health and your purse!

BurbageBrook · 17/04/2022 16:56

It's linked to living longer so even if I didn't like it, I'd do it. But I love a walk. Listening to birdsong, enjoying nature. Getting stronger legs! All good for me.

godmum56 · 17/04/2022 17:39

@Fairislefandango

I think its madness

Getting exercise and fresh air is madness?! Quite the opposite in fact - it's medically agreed that it's excellent for your mental health as well as your physical health. But what do those doctors know, eh?

"exercise and fresh air" does not predicate walking though.