To not understand the need for "walks"

[walkingDisaster22]

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?

@Fairislefandango in the UK, there is a huge contingent of the population who aren't required to be near work-25% of the population under 60 are economically inactive;33% of those are students but the rest are carers or people in early retirement. Plus the WFH contingent and the retired pensioners.. but most still live in cities and towns. Probably cos fields and trees and sheep get boring after a while.

So many cities are beautiful and full of life. So many interesting things and people. Endless things to do and see. You can walk forever. But if your legs get tired, you can hop on a bus or train home. My MIL once had to get 'rescued' by some locals in the peak District cos she veered off trail...in London, you just call a Uber if you get lost and you wouldn't get lost anyway cos there is Google maps.

I reallly really don’t understand people who don’t like walking. I would absolutely go mad if I had mobility issues and couldn’t walk. I hurt my back last year and walking was difficult for a few weeks. I found that so so limiting and frustrating.

I really enjoy a good walk but there needs to be a cafe or a pub at the end of it. Lockdown walks were just depressing and I got to the point if someone suggested a "walk" it would give me the rage.

I do functional walking like walking to work and I like recreational walking along the beach or river but I don't really do hill walking - too much effort and views usually hidden by cloud.

My in-laws annoy me as they never go anywhere - my family would always go out on short local walks which I miss.

My MIL has been a long-time “doesn’t do walks” type unless it involves shopping. She’s now practically immobile and even now is refusing any walking aids. Use it or lose it!

I think meeting up with a friend for a walk is nice but not all the time. Fresh air and sunshine is great this time of year and nature is good for the soul. It is a bit boring going for a walk on your own or eith the same person constantly. I am on my feet a lot at home as I am just that type of person and enjoyed sitting even an hour in my garden recliner each afternoon over the Easter was just wonderful.

Where is op?

@walkingDisaster22, why don't you ask your in laws why they enjoy walking so much if you genuinely don't understand?

My guess is that it's the easiest and cheapest form of exercise for them and they would rather be out getting fresh air than being at home all day sat in front of the TV.

Some of these responses are odd. I get that walking is not for everyone and not everyone gets excited about nature, but telling someone to watch the Nature channel is like telling someone to watch those travel shows instead of going overseas for holiday.

I love my walks. I try to do 10000 steps before 10am. I listen to upbeat music which somehow makes me walk faster! 😂 It's also great for clearing headspace.

We have to take issue with you Im afraid! Me and my Mum must have walkies each day. 2 shorties or 1 long walk. I get very edgy if not ,my 4 long legs need execising and so do mums 2 short ones . She says she cannot sleep otherwise !

What kind of walks do your ILs do OP? Are we talking countryside or round the block. I find walking makes it easier to chat to ppl and you feel like you've been somewhere, not getting all sluggish in the house all day. I have the opposite problem with my ILs in that they don't walk hardly and I never know what to suggest to do, they seem to want to stay in the house but that's boring after a while.

I'm with you. If I want to exercise I go to the gym!

I can’t afford the gym, so if I want to exercise I walk!

I can’t afford the gym, so if I want to exercise I walk!

I wasn't talking about you!

I definitely wouldn't go for a walk round the block just for the sake of it. I enjoy going for a wander (not a fast route march) in the nice green space near me or in some attractive woods, along the beach etc. But generally speaking I'm rubbish at walking, my feet hurt and I get a stitch. In terms of exercise I would always choose to cycle or swim over walking. But as said above, we're all different I guess. The only problem in OP scenario is the assumption that someone else enjoys what you enjoy.

I know , but it’s a public forum so I saw your post and responded to it.
I was just pointing out why some people walk for exercise!

Lockdowns helped me find I really like walking.
I do a lot of sport - run, cycle, swim, boot camps so walking isn't really about the exercise for me; it's unwinding in a more gentle way than other exercise. It absolutely allows me to think and mull.

It allows me to be alone. I often go out late and listen to an audio book.

Well, everyone’s different. Personally need to get outdoors every day else I’d go insane.

I hate walking for no purpose, except when I’m on holiday. I force myself to do it but I don’t enjoy it.

She’s now practically immobile and even now is refusing any walking aids. Use it or lose it!

@Lunaballoon my grandmother walked miles, she was immobile in her older years. My mum is a similar age, rarely walked for pleasure, still as mobile as she ever was.

My MIL is part of walking group and has been for a couple of decades. She’s had both hips replaced.

The body deteriorates as we age. Much of how it does so is down to genetics.

Would have been like you before Covid didn't see the point of it nor had the time. But then during lockdown we did it to get out of the house and walked the dogs, the dogs have got used to the routine now and i actually have seen the benefits my self, lost some weight and it has helped my mind- With WFH now i go out every lunch if possible and we go somewhere with the dogs at the weekend. If i didn't do it i would do no exercise at all . Though its not nice going out in the rain

That's a shame. I presume you do it just for the exercise.
Is there someone you could walk with to talk to? Do you like listening to music, podcasts or books? Or could you ditch it and work on finding a form of exercise you do enjoy?

I hate walking. I've got wide, flat feet. I've been to many podiatrist and they've all said the same. I need wide fit supportive shoes, with a small heel and special built up insoles but they don't cure the pain from walking.

I'm obese, and would love to get into cardio but I have ended up in hospital every time I've been on a bike, I don't have the time to get to the swimming pool, swim and come home, and walking running jogging etc that requires I be on my feet for any length of time is A boring and B painful.

Unless I need to go from one place to another then I'd rather bloody not.

What about a stationary exercise bike?

I'm fortunate to have rural/ semi-rural areas on my doorstep as well as a pleasant suburb. But when everyone was out walking because there was nothing else to do in 2020/21, especially when we got to mud season and the paths got churned up into deep sludge long before we were even in proper winter, I did end up doing a lot of my walks in the city centre for some peace and quiet 😆
It was nice to take advantage of the quietness in town, and see something different to life in my neighbourhood. Much better than getting pedestrian rage in the heaving parks at people shuffling around at a snail's pace.