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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:
NannyR · 14/04/2022 18:19

I love both reading and walking, sometimes I combine the two and listen to an audio book whilst walking! If you've got decent waterproof gear and boots, it's quite nice to walk in the rain. I love the fresh air and feeling connected with nature (which is possible, even in an inner city park), it does wonders for my mental and physical health.
Everyone enjoys different stuff though, if you don't enjoy it, don't do it.

ProseccoStorm · 14/04/2022 18:19

@Blert

If you hate walking, do you do an equivalent form of daily exercise instead? i.e. is it just walking that you hate, or exercise generally? Would you go for a swim/cycle/run instead?
I hate pointless walks. Walking somewhere, or for a reason, or as a way to have a proper chat with a friend is completely fine. It's the walk as an event, an enforced family weekend walk that sets my teeth on edge. Everyone grumpy, same old sites, just dreary.

I enjoy exercise, I'm not slovenly, I just require more fun in an activity than a pointless walk offers.

Kurtanforpm · 14/04/2022 18:20

Plus, I live in a shithole.

Walk too much and it’s more chance of getting mugged to be honest.

Justmeandmycats · 14/04/2022 18:21

I loved walking when DS was a baby with him in the pram, but I hate going for a walk myself. No idea why.

I sympathise though OP, my dad was obsessed with them.

KupoNutCoffee · 14/04/2022 18:22

I don't mind a walk round the country park/lake/reservoir - not that I ever do. But generally such walks are accompanied, gentle strolls, chatting and enjoying the scenery so don't feel like a walk as just a walk.

But otherwise going for a walk, I don't get. It feels unproductive. I feel like I have to be going somewhere, like the shop...and walking to the shop everyday is sure fire way to negate any benefit to the walk, with a poorer bank balance. I can listen to music at home, like you said, read, watch TV. There's nothing new to see, unless you're close to a park (with flowers and tree, and not just grass).

GeorgiaGirl52 · 14/04/2022 18:25

Walking is for going from Point A to B. Like from home to the store and back.
Walking around the neighborhood looking at trees and at the same houses you looked at yesterday -- pointless!
You want nature, watch the Nature Channel.

Frazzled2207 · 14/04/2022 18:25

I prefer running myself but I would turn myself crazy if I was not able to access exercise and fresh air. Ideally the same time.

Hotelhelp · 14/04/2022 18:26

I don't really enjoy walking either just for walkings sake. I can just about tolerate it with an audio book but it's still only something I do once or twice a year. Admittedly I should do more.

I prefer a circular walk because that feeling of turning back and having to repeat the process backwards is awful!

hepaticanobilis · 14/04/2022 18:27

I wfh so without a daily walk, I barely get 2000 steps a day!

I need to get outdoors for a walk for exercise. I also like it as a form of exercise because it's free, doesn't require travelling somewhere first (such as a gym or swimming pool) and you can easily change the duration, speed, terrain etc. to suit your day and mood.

yellowsuninthesky · 14/04/2022 18:29

It's the walk as an event, an enforced family weekend walk that sets my teeth on edge. Everyone grumpy, same old sites, just dreary

I wouldn't enjoy this either. I go for a walk each day to get out of the house and because it's good for avoiding depression and dementia. And good cross-training for running. And because like a pp if I WFH and don't have other exercise that day I'd do about 2000 steps.

But I want to. I wouldn't want to go out for a walk because someone else thought it was good for us all to get out of the house eg MIL used to want to us to go out for a walk after a Sunday roast and I just didn't want to.

Manekinek0 · 14/04/2022 18:30

I need to get out and be in nature or I don't feel right. I take my little dog to the woods or down the river. I love the smells and colours. Sometimes I'll go out for a run. I honestly wouldn't cope being stuck inside.

D0lphine · 14/04/2022 18:31

I bloody love a walk. Really seems to shake the cobwebs off both physically and mentally.

To each his own though!

TheVanguardSix · 14/04/2022 18:31

I have to walk to clear my head.
Some of my best novels and screenplays have been written while walking. Too bad the minute I sit down to actually write, fuck all happens and I end up right here... on MN! Grin

I have a dog so I have to walk. But it really has kept me sane over the years. Add a good podcast or some decent tunes to the scenario and actually, you'll find that walking is incredibly therapeutic. Believe me, I moan about going out the door with the dog but once I do it, it's great. I also walk my youngest DC home from school every day and that's about a 45-minute amble home which I really do love.

Random789 · 14/04/2022 18:32

I love fast walking. I find it relaxes me. All the busy fretful rush of my mind drains into my marching body and leaves me calmer. Also, I'm lucky enough to live near beautiful footpaths through woodland and along rivers.

Pointless walking is good, but pointful walking has a special extra frisson. I have to take my car to the garage next week. I'll leave it there, walk for an hour or so to get back home; then walk there to pick the car up in the evening.

I have a dog, too, which adds extra fun to walking.

ldontWanna · 14/04/2022 18:36

I'm with you. Boring,pointless, having to get properly dressed for a boring,pointless activity etc.

I don't get the fun. I definitely don't get the obsession with it and people that are adamant that it'll cure all ails and that you MUST have a walk on Christmas morning.

I don't drive so I actually end up walking quite a bit which is fine,but I need to have a purpose.

Onionpatch · 14/04/2022 18:36

I like walking because its pointless. Its not worthy task or a chore or bettering myself. Its just being really - but with a pleasing physical sensation of movement, air temperature, and looking at things really. I have nice things to look at on my walks. I dont think id walk round boring streets in the rain though.

Bagelsandbrie · 14/04/2022 18:38

What do you do for exercise instead?

I make myself go out for a brisk walk every day - at least an hour or so. I leave the car at home and walk to the local shops / wander round etc. I hate the gym and other organised forms of exercise so walking makes sure I’m getting my heart going / reduces long term risk of stroke and heart issues etc.

VeganGod · 14/04/2022 18:38

I love walking if it’s with our dogs, they enjoy it so much that I can’t help but love it. Nice countryside surroundings are key. I prefer to run if I don’t have the doggos.

LondonQueen · 14/04/2022 18:39

I love walking, keeps me fit, the kids entertained and it's free!

Ireallycantthinkofagoodone · 14/04/2022 18:39

I love it! I walk with friends, so there is lots of chat and a fabulous support network. However, I am retired, so I have plenty of time and only myself to please.
I like to be in the fresh air, and enjoy the changing of the seasons, the wildlife etc., which you would miss when you drive.
We also (usually) have coffee/coffee and cake/lunch afterwards. The walk is free exercise too. Win win!!

Pliudev · 14/04/2022 18:42

OP I agree. I can't see that the walking I do is healthy exercise because my dog stops to sniff or pee every few metres so we never get up speed. I guess the fresh air is good but I could get that in the garden. I have friends who actually enjoy walking but I can think of a hundred things I'd rather be doing. Swimming is one.

Mirrorball2022 · 14/04/2022 18:42

I love walking. But then I love exercise it’s really good for my physical health but also my anxiety. We got for a 2/3 mile walk ( or often more) and have a good natter and you feel great afterwards without doing full on cardio or weights etc

I do get why others don’t particularly like it, we are all different after all.

ApolloandDaphne · 14/04/2022 18:42

I love to walk no matter what the weather. It really sets me up for the day and helps me to be more productive. I also listen to audiobooks when walking as I find it hard to concentrate just sitting and reading.

SirChenjins · 14/04/2022 18:42

I love a walk. Doesn’t need to be a long one, just getting out into the woods beside the river, listening to the birds sing is bliss. I’m out twice a day with my new dog and it’s lifted my spirits no end. No so keen in the Scottish peeing rain or the freezing cold though.

girlmom21 · 14/04/2022 18:43

I love a walk and I love a good book. It's fine to like both.

I like to explore and DD's at an age where everything's exciting which makes it so much more fun.