Nordic Walking: too comedic for the UK?

[ODFOx]

In February (after wfh for nearly a year and eating my own body weight in healthy but too frequent snacks) I was diagnosed prediabetic and told to lose weight ASAP. I switched to low calorie/low carb diet but wanted to exercise more. I started walking at lunchtimes and then upped to Nordic Walking when Decathlon started advertising their kit. I completely love it. As an overweight person with a bad back, dodgy knees and a large weight to carry around, the poles make me maintain good posture, take some of the strain off my lower joints and I am seeing the benefit of improved arm and pectoral muscles. It also has the side effect of using lots more calories per step so a double bonus!
I'm doing 10k steps each day, of which approx a third are Nordic walking, so using upper body too.

My problem is finding people to walk with. I do a mile a day with one friend but she can't commit to more. DH will accompany me if I need to finish my daily steps but walks about 10yards behind in an unconvincing attempt to not be associated. The teens flatly refuse to be seen with me if I have the sticks.

Im building up speed and stamina and the weight is steadily coming off, the only fly in the ointment is that I look weird doing it. There are no clubs or classes around here.

Does anyone have as my ideas or words of encouragement ( other than 'where's the snow then?' ) . I'm almost tempted to post on a local FB page for a Nordic walking buddy but actually with my work hours I probably couldn't commit to a regular meet up anyway. Any thoughts? Thanks

A mate of mine's mum does it, she's 60 and looks incredible. I must admit I was a bit taken aback when I was out for a walk trying to induce labour when I saw her and three other ladies marching towards me, but if it's working for you who cares?!

I would listen to podcasts during your own outings and join a FB group. I'm sure most of those groups would do the odd regional meet-up which could be ace!

Some areas have groups that do Nordic walking, maybe check your local area? I saw a tv program about it and it looks great!

Have you looked on Facebook for any Nordic walking groups in your area?

I have a family member that runs a group in the Midlands if that's near you OP?

If I wasnt able to commit to a group or a set time with a walking partner, I think Id listen to audiobooks, music and podcasts and head out alone at a time that suited me.

It sounds fab, Im off to google it!

I see lots of people doing it where I live! I'd love to give it a go.

You should absolutely ask on FB for buddy, even if it is sporadic when you could meet up.

I also think that nobody really cares all that much about what other people are up to, maybe some idiots will giggles but then forget about you 30 seconds later. Either way you shouldn't care what strangers think of you, your health and your enjoyment is way more important.

So that's just walking with poles isn't it?

I think that's perfectly normal round here when walking in the countryside.

@Coulddowithanap

So that's just walking with poles isn't it?

I think that's perfectly normal round here when walking in the countryside.

Not quite. Hiking poles aren't quite the same thing. It's a heel-toe walking technique with extended stride and an exaggerated alternated arm/leg movement. The easiest rhythm is approx 1.5 times faster than a normal walk and you use the poles to propel yourself forward. Basically it looks a bit more odd than hiking because it's more stylised. ..this is also why it gives a better workout and burns more calories.

The parkrun near my DMum had a group of Nordic walkers, and I see them in parks round here as well (and it's nigh-on flat, and the terrain unchallenging).

I don't think the people round here are weird. I suppose I look, but I'm interesting in seeing the technique (might give it a go one day, I have poles from snowshoeing which I think are the same sort). I've never really thought about why they'd be doing it here, any more than I'd be thinking about runners or other types of walkers. But now you've got me thinking, I suppose I've assumed they're doing it either as a form of workout, or training for more challenging walks elsewhere, or just because they like it.

Out of curiosity, how long did it take you to pick up the action, and for it to become automatic?