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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to hate going for walks?

181 replies

junebaby2020 · 19/02/2021 15:44

I'm still on maternity leave and DH is on furlough. We try to get out for a walk with our 8 month old most days so they can get a change of scenery and some fresh air.

However, I just can't stand going out - I hate the miserable cold weather, the fucking relentless grey skies and the boring, concrete, suburban area we live in with very little to see or do, particularly as everything is shut due to lockdown.

I just feel so lethargic, dread the thought of walking anywhere (it seems like so much effort to walk walk walk for an hour or two) and just CBA - I'd much rather sit at home on the sofa with a cuppa and some biscuits and put my feet up.

Is it normal to feel like this or am I exceptionally lethargic/lazy?

OP posts:
bowchicawowwow · 19/02/2021 19:33

I normally like walking. I have a dog so we have to do it. However I am so bored of the same old routes that we can do without driving and without getting caked head to toe in mud. Roll on summer when it hopefully dries out a bit

teamdebbievssorelosers · 19/02/2021 19:37

I hate walking for the sake of it, but I hate being stuck at home even more. My kids need to spend some energy, and frankly so do I. That said, when they were babies, I used to spend their afternoon nap pushing them in the buggy for 1 hour or 2.

Could you drive a couple of miles, or to a trust or something to make it a bit nicer.

Our local starbucks and coffee shops are all opened for take-away, could you grab a drink to make the walk more pleasant? I bought a pram cup holder for exactly that.

teamdebbievssorelosers · 19/02/2021 19:39

In fairness, it makes an incredible difference if you have a great buggy that is easy to push and comfortable, (and if you are not stuck on mud paths which are impossible to navigate even with a great off road pram.)

I borrowed some buggies while on holidays and they were a nightmare, needed to be lifted just to go on the pavement. It's not fun.

CovoidOfAllHumanity · 19/02/2021 19:43

Doesn't it depend where you walk?
DC and I have zero enthusiasm for walking around a suburban housing estate but a forest or a mountain or a riverbank is a whole lot more inspiring.
They especially like if there is some kind of point to reach eg a ruined castle or a quarry and teen DD likes it if there is some kind of story associated history or folklore or best of all a ghost.
She likes taking arty pics and making Insta stories afterwards.
I think you just need somewhere better to walk.

I will admit to driving 20-40mins for somewhere decent to walk. The rules say 'local' and I class that as local. We are out walking for 3-4 hrs so the exercise time far exceeds the time to get there. It doesn't say anywhere that you can't drive to get to an exercise spot. We take a picnic too. So sue me. Nowhere we go is ever exactly mobbed on a cold drizzly day in February, we don't get near anyone or touch anything so I just cannot see any risk at all and a couple of long walks have made half term bearable.

GabsAlot · 19/02/2021 19:47

Hating is aswell my area is a dump so i have to drive somewhere if i want to see anything of nature

allthes epeople with wonderful walks on their doorstepdont appreciate some of us havent

CovoidOfAllHumanity · 19/02/2021 19:57

I feel a bit bad for my driving for a walk transgression now.
I generally am a very law abiding citizen and haven't broken any other rules as far as I know but the monotony of suburban walks has pushed me over the edge into reckless law breaking.
If I did get stopped by the police I guess I'd just say sorry and go home. I don't reckon they are going to fine me.
I looked up all the regulations and the definition of local area was very fuzzy and didn't say a certain mileage or time away from home so I have chosen to interpret it generously.
It's pretty much the only time I have felt relaxed and happy in recent months so I will carry on risking the fine.

lazylinguist · 19/02/2021 20:06

I feel a bit bad for my driving for a walk transgression now.

There is no law that says you are not allowed to drive to exercise. We walk almost entirely from our door atm, but occasionally we drive 10 or 15 mins away for a change of scenery.

bloodyhairy · 19/02/2021 20:09

YANBU! I like a walk with a purpose; so a nice pub meal, shopping, or slice of cake at the end. Or a walk along a beautiful beach. Other than that, it's a bit pointless and annoying really. Plus, I'm lazy Blush

rockinaftermidnite · 19/02/2021 20:11

I think walks are boring too! But my fear of obesity and all the health horrors that go with it (diabetes, stroke, etc) is strong enough to make me go outside and walk up and down the road for 20 mins a day. Most days.

Laufeythejust · 19/02/2021 20:14

God I’m so sick of walking/ running and pretending to enjoy lifting weights in the garage. I was running down the canal path the other day and had a huge urge to get in- I miss swimming so badly. If this carries on much longer I just might. The gym is my haven and way of destressing and I desperately need it back or the ducks are not going to be impressed.

sbhydrogen · 19/02/2021 20:21

I hate aimless walking. This morning I went for a walk with the aim of watching the sunrise (almost successful, missed it by about half an hour 😂), but usually I aim to get a coffee.

Take those sort of things out of the walk and, just, JESUS IT'S SO BORING.

rockinaftermidnite · 19/02/2021 20:25

@Laufeythejust Swimming! Ah, I love to swim. Pools are shut, though.

CovoidOfAllHumanity · 19/02/2021 20:32

I think there's something to be said for the boringness of it in a way if it's out in nature

I am not a huge fan of mindfulness apps but I can get on board with the idea that sometimes we just need to be in the moment and just feel and not think. I find I can do that more easily outside in nature than anywhere else.

So even if it is boring I try to listen to the birdsong or the sound of mud squelching underfoot, smell the pine in the forest, feel the wind and rain on my cheeks (admittedly I have to tune out the squabbling kids to do this)

I realise that does sound very poncey but honestly it does help me. I have been to mindfulness sessions where I am enjoined to pay attention to the feeling of my bum on a chair or my feet on some NHS carpet tiles and now indoor mindfulness is a bit ruined for me but mindful walking is a thing and one that works for me.

DrCoconut · 19/02/2021 20:34

I'd try geocaching again but there are none within walking distance, I used to have to drive and park up somewhere. The kids hate the cold and/or wet. It has rained so much the last two or three years too, all year round. I'm longing for a warm dry summer to get out and about properly.

Peanutbuttercupisyum · 19/02/2021 20:38

Fresh air and exercise are very important. I mean if you live in a shit area then that’s a bit sad for you and harder to enjoy a walk. But surely you can think of something to occupy your mind whilst you get some fresh air?? Or a podcast, music? And if you have small children then can do scavenger hunts, or just chat? If I didn’t go for a walk at least once a day I’d feel awful and I’d probably be a size bigger than I am now, nightmare

CovoidOfAllHumanity · 19/02/2021 20:40

What about a Treasure Trail?
Haven't done one in lockdown but have often done them with DC in the past to get them out on a walk.
There's a website (won't link in case it's advertising but easily Google able) where you pay a very small fee ie a few quid to download a map and treasure trail and you solve the clues from things you spot as you go along and get entered into a prize drawer at the end.
They have trails for all over the country.
DC and I have done a few of those in the past in various places and enjoyed them

jambeforeclottedcream · 19/02/2021 20:54

Yadnbu I'm so bored of walks. I hate walking unless there's a cafe or pub involved. DDog makes it a bit more bearable but Christ

Woodlandbelle · 19/02/2021 20:57

I hate it too. But we go out every evening at 7pm about half an hour. Kids get a hot drink then bed. It's a good routine. I don't really enjoy the cold repetitive walk though.

Fuckadoodledoooo · 19/02/2021 20:57

@DrCoconut

I'd try geocaching again but there are none within walking distance, I used to have to drive and park up somewhere. The kids hate the cold and/or wet. It has rained so much the last two or three years too, all year round. I'm longing for a warm dry summer to get out and about properly.
I downloaded the app but nothing close to me. Not surprisingly.
hotchocandtwosmokybacon · 19/02/2021 21:15

YANBU. Am totally with you on this

HappyasLaura · 19/02/2021 21:28

Weirdly, I used to hate going for walks. But since lockdown 1 when there was nothing else to do, I have gotten into them. Rain, hail or shine, I go out. The only think I don’t like is the wind. But rain, no problem. There’s something quite nice about being all wrapped up when it’s cold and wet.
I have 3 huge commons and parks near me so I do have a bit of variety to my walks.
I’m also obsessed with my step count since getting a Fitbit last year.

ColdBrightClearMorning · 19/02/2021 21:30

@GintyMcGinty

If you've got children, then skip, run, hop skotch or even play follow the leader.

No I am not going to do this. I'd rather take to alcohol.

Thanks for the genuine laugh ❤️
Original poster
junebaby2020 · 19/02/2021 21:41

Literally agog. So much you can do of a walk. Do a nature spot, look for the first signs of spring, count colours of cars, greet other people and their dogs.

Yeah... doesn’t really work with an 8 month old though does it?

Why not go on shorter walks as walking for that amount of time if you don’t like it will only put you off more

We tend to coincide our walk with the baby’s afternoon nap as they’re a nightmare to get down, so we have to walk for at least an hour.

OP posts:
Original poster
junebaby2020 · 19/02/2021 21:44

And if you have small children then can do scavenger hunts

Again... my 8 month old isn’t really into scavenger hunts.

OP posts:
Original poster
junebaby2020 · 19/02/2021 21:47

DC and I have zero enthusiasm for walking around a suburban housing estate but a forest or a mountain or a riverbank is a whole lot more inspiring.

Unfortunately there aren’t any forests or mountains on my local council estate.

OP posts: