A daily walk is so underestimated

[QwertyWitch]

A daily walk is crucial to wellbeing (if physically able)
Emotional, physical and mental. It should be promoted more but many people don't realise the importance of it.
I wonder if people got scared off 10k steps a day but even 4K steps does a lot of good.
Should there be more promotion?

I'm very lucky to be able to have a walking pad under my desk at work, so walking has been a game changer for me. My first goal is to get over 10k steps a day, with my second goal being an average of 15k a day.

I was super sedentary before the walking pad, would be sat at a desk all day, then come home and cook and spend the rest of the evening sitting down, so I've noticed a big difference in energy levels and I've also lost a good bit of weight, so I'm happy! My mood is noticeably better as well, my anxiety levels have lessened.

I'm thinking of getting a walking pad for at home as well as I find it VERY difficult to get 10k steps when I'm not at work, unless I'm actively walking in circles in the lounge, which isn't very fun!

For those who can, I'd really recommend it, it's been a game changer.

I walk at least 3 miles every day, some days it’s nearer 6 miles and I feel great for it. I started as part of my weight loss and as I have degenerative discs, I was told not to do high impact exercises but to walk. I also got a treadmill for the wet or icy days to keep up my steps.
I usually listen to a playlist and I do a lot of my thinking and decision making whilst out walking, I go out early as I find it sets me up for the day ahead.
My mental health has improved no end since I started my daily walks and I feel sluggish if I miss a day.

I think physically you get the benefit of movement whatever it is . But mentally there must be a difference between trudging home in the rain with heavy shopping because you have no choice, and going for a lovely countrywide walk when the sun is shining.

@Needanewname42

I think what the OP was saying was that your walks don't need to be hour long, 3-4 miles . She is advocating the benefits of doing 4k steps if you can't do 10k so basically a short walk everyday for a mile or so is of benefit so rather than people thinking they don't have the time to put in a proper long walk, remembering that every little counts and it can be as simple as a stroll round the block after dinner if that's all you have time for .

I find walking to work gets me 10k but it can be a slog in rain or winter. Going round a supermarket or pottering about bookshops can also rack up a lot of steps though I would prefer an early morning walk in Spring to look for wildlife.

I just hate it it makes me stressed and bored
My energy/endorphin hit is a really sweaty loud spin class which is probably other peoples idea of hell
So I say I don't walk but I do exercise!

5K steps is apparently about 2 miles, which I do every day I’m not at work on a dog walk. It’s definitely helped my weight loss/fitness and because it’s not just a boring street walk, it makes me happy, it’s sociable sometimes because we see familiar people.

Yes, but pavements in the UK are too narrow next to busy roads and in a bad condition often. Parks in the UK are nearly all primarily for dog exercising and toiletting. Not many have walking tracks around, which I have heard about from the US. It is hard in the UK to be a pedestrian, let alone a cyclist (no cycle paths or tracks in my area).
In France, roads had been reconfigured so that pavements were wider, there were cycle paths alongside, perhaps gaps/small trees between pavements and the road, crossings at really regular intervals in towns.

Lets conclude that it's just not for everyone.
I used to walk a lot, when I was younger, because I had to, to get to places, walking at uni. I walked ds's to school most days, not when it was pissing it down, for 7 years. I guess the novelty has worn off. No endorphins for me, from walking. Now I only walk if I have to. Actually since I broke my back in 4 places, I can't walk at all for the last year. Hasn't made me any unhappier.

That's incredible. Well done to you.
I love walking, I find it far more relaxing to get outdoors for an hour with a good audio book or podcast rather than watching TV. I get really agitated if I can't get outside.

I've got a young spaniel so walk several miles a day. Makes me feel great even when weather isn't great.

I do like getting a walk in but been unable to do it for 2 months now due to severely hurting my foot :( swimming only for me for the time being.

I love walks, did three miles before work this morning. I'll do another two with the dog after work.

But they go one of two ways. I either come back happy. Or I spend the whole walk ruminating and feel depressed and snappy when I get back. Entirely dictated by my hormones sadly. (peri).

If I ever think I want to divorce DH, it's always after a walk.

I’ve just ordered The Miracle Pill book, looks great so thank you to whoever recommended it!

I am going to up my steps and make sure I get out every day even if some days is less than half an hour walk / inspiring thread!!

It's a pity to stop walking because no one in your area is, particularly as you used to love walking, and as you say it's said to be good for reducing cognitive decline.

Maybe it would feel less lonely if you walk with a purpose e.g. going for a loaf of bread from a shop say 15 minutes away - once you get back into the swing of it you could then venture further.

If you stopped, I bet you’d notice the difference, though.

Agreed.
I couldn't walk after surgery for a week and I was climbing the walls.

I walk in my lunchbreak as well as before and sometimes after work. It's the best way to keep your weight stable and cholesterol down and heart healthy.

I used to love walking everyday when I was a sahm. Drop the kids to school in the morning & walk for 90 minutes. Now I've gone back to work & just can't find the energy to go walking in the evenings. This thread has inspired me though so I'm going to start walking again today & hopefully get my walking routine back..

Love a daily walk, always feel better afterwards.

I’ve just posted on another thread about Michael Mosley saying on a recent TV prog. (screened after he died) that if everybody walked for just 15 minutes a day, it’d make a significant difference.

And that IMO the very idea of 10,000 may well put a lot of people off, since they infer that much less than 10,000 isn’t worth bothering with.

So I agree 100%, OP.

I am 10 weeks post hip replacement for hip dysplasia and loving being able to walk again, missed it so much .

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/health/nhs-the-proclaimers-arlene-phillips-ben-shephard-this-morning-b1183958.html

New campaign to promote walking 5000 steps.

You don’t need to ‘disappear’ to walk.

You could walk on a weekend with kids.

During the week a walking pad is great which you can do when kids are in bed whilst watching tv/listening to music or a podcast.

Also a quick lunchtime walk at work.

I hate walking without a purpose and where I live is just countryside with no shops to walk to. My solution was to buy a walking pad and now when I go on social media or watch TV I do it whilst walking. It probably does not have the same benefits as being out in the fresh air but it is better than being sedentary and I can do it when my children are in bed and I can't leave the house.

My lunch is already cut to 30mins to shorten my day to manage drop off and pick-up.

This thread is weeks old and it still riles me the judgy way that it's easy to fit FIVE walks into a week.
There's only 2 days in a weekend.

Nobody is saying being active isn't important but being active can also be hoovering the living room, cleaning the bathroom, sorting dinner, it's not all about going for a wholesome walk.