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Original poster

I hate walking

53 replies

Namechangequeenie · 12/03/2023 07:50

I know that sounds dramatic but I do really dislike walking. My activity levels have plummeted over the last few years and I’m getting pretty enormous. However when I try to exercise by walking I regret it as I don’t enjoy it and it makes my body ache. I put music on and I try to keep going but I often get some of the way and wish I hadn’t started! Then you have to get back so have to continue longer than you want to. Anyone have any tips to make it more tolerable?

OP posts:
Original poster
Namechangequeenie · 12/03/2023 07:51

Also I can’t afford the gym and I’m way too embarrassed to use the local gym park.

OP posts:
megletthesecond · 12/03/2023 07:54

Take a bag and litter picker. Makes the walk more productive.

surreyisik · 12/03/2023 07:55

Could you do something interesting while walking such as listening to a podcast? I dislike stationary biking in the same way and found it tolerable with podcasts / netflix.
The other thing that can make a walk enjoyable is gorgeous scenery/ nature

UnagiForLife · 12/03/2023 07:55

Little and often OP to build up your strength. It’s really important to keep active. It will be harder because you’re overweight, it’s like a person of a healthy weight going on a walk carrying something really heavy (depending on how much extra weight you’re carrying this could be a backpack or even a small child) which is much less enjoyable than going on a walk carrying nothing.

Christmasbahhumbug · 12/03/2023 07:56

I got the nhs active 10 app and have found that really motivating l. Good luck

MissLucyLiu · 12/03/2023 07:57

Have you ever thought about getting a dog? Obviously only ever get a dog if you are committed to giving it the level of exercise that dog needs.

My mom has bad foot injuries and never fully recovered. But few years back I’ve got her a puppy and she’s been a bit more active ever since.

I think you are potentially looking at it with the wrong perspective. You are now counting walking as ‘exercise’ which it is in a way but it is the most basic function to have a normal life.

You should try to get a train somewhere to go on a trail rather than walking around looking at concrete or uninspiring park. If you Google national park trails near you and make a day trip out of it. It’s about enjoying the outdoors, fresh air, smell of the woods, feeling the freedom from the cities and cars etc. hope that helps.

bellac11 · 12/03/2023 07:57

I hate walking with a passion. I hate it hate it hate it

My feet hurt no matter what shoes or trainers I have,, something that starts off comfortable will end up hurting, rubbing somewhere along the line

My nose streams, I mean really streams, my eyes stream, I cant see where I walking. Even though I put my hair up, I have wispy bits that cant be tamed which go in my eyes and mouth.

I dont feel steady along bits of pavement which have a camber.

I cant tell you how much I hate it.

Valhalla17 · 12/03/2023 07:58

Get some headphones and listen to music/audiobook/podcast

Walk with a family member or friend

Offer to walk a friends dog a few times a week

Have a plan to walk somewhere (coffee shop, library, other shop)...have a break at location or mooch around a nice shop you like...then head back

DustyLee123 · 12/03/2023 07:59

How about a step counter to see if you can do 10,000 steps a day.

openingbat · 12/03/2023 08:00

Can you find someone to walk with?

It makes all the difference if you have someone to chat to along the way. Even if your friends can't/won't, I've seen posts on our local next door app asking for walking buddies and they always get replies.

Beamur · 12/03/2023 08:01

I have dodgy knees and my GP said to take mild pain relief if it's stopping me from being active as that's more important.
I'd take maybe just a single tablet and go for a gentle walk of maybe 10 mins twice a day and gradually increase to maybe 30 at a brisker pace.
Make sure you're wearing boots or shoes with good support and warm, comfortable clothes in layers you can easily adjust to keep the right temperature.
Walking is brilliant exercise - especially for women as it's low impact but wear bearing.
Do you have someone you could walk with once or twice a week? Make it a social thing. Or even think about joining a walking group?
Not all groups yomp for hours, some will do shorter walks, maybe aimed at families.

Theos · 12/03/2023 08:01

Christ when you hate walking because it hurts it’s a sign you must do it !!

Londonnight · 12/03/2023 08:01

I dislike walking too. Never see the point in it.

Letstaketotheskies · 12/03/2023 08:02

Try walking in a swimming pool - the water supports your weight, so far less pressure on joints. And the resistance it provides still means you get good exercise.

SunnySomer · 12/03/2023 08:02

Perhaps start by walking with a purpose other than exercise. Eg to buy a pint of milk. Go a short, manageable distance. On day 2 do the same distance twice (“oops, I forgot to get bananas to go with my milk.”
Get into the habit of regular short walks before you start trying to do longer ones. Keep a note/take a photo of nice things you see (first daffodil etc)

To be honest I love walking - but I have never been able to drive, so have to do my shopping on foot so the basic movement is already a habit.
good luck!

ThePoshUns · 12/03/2023 08:03

Walk with a friend, have a coffee. Drive somewhere scenic then walk? I love walking, I can't imagine what there is to dislike.

TheVanguardSix · 12/03/2023 08:05

Swim?
Join a cardio class? Find a different outlet.

I have to walk because of my dog. I listen to podcasts or music or audiobooks.

DanceMonster · 12/03/2023 08:06

I don’t really look at walking as ‘exercise’, just a basic life function. I do around 15k steps a day but I never just go for a walk for the sake of it. I walk the children to school, walk the dog, walk to the shop to pick up some milk etc. If I’m going somewhere less than 2 miles away I walk. It has the added benefit of saving money on petrol (plus environmental benefits). Could you try and incorporate walking into your daily life rather than it being an activity in itself?

DanceMonster · 12/03/2023 08:08

Theos · 12/03/2023 08:01

Christ when you hate walking because it hurts it’s a sign you must do it !!

And I agree with this to be honest! Walking shouldn’t be painful and shouldn’t cause aches and pains. It’s a very basic function of the human body. Which is a reason in itself for sticking with it.

TheVanguardSix · 12/03/2023 08:08

Oh and just to add, yes to having a ‘goal’-based walk. I don’t drive. I cycle or else walk my dog to my local destinations (grab a hot chocolate from the cafe on the walk home/milk from the shops/walk to Boots and back- mine is a 30 minute walk away from home/school run- hour’s walk round trip- I do this every afternoon with DS). Try and replace the car with your feet for certain things. Get to know and love podcasts!

bigbluebus · 12/03/2023 08:09

Find someone to walk with. If I go for a walk with DH he strides out ahead, as he has much longer legs than me, so I feel like I'm walking on my own and it is much more of a chore. Once a month I go with a walking group. Everyone chats and you end up walking with different people. The 5 or 6 miles fly by and I hardly notice that I'm exercising at all.

pinkySilver · 12/03/2023 08:12

1 Walk with a friend and chat along the way
2 Make all you phone calls while walking.
3 Walk to get places, (to the shop or station)

Walking is a means to an end rather than an end in itself.

megletthesecond · 12/03/2023 08:13

dance is right. Walking is the best way to do errands and light shopping too. I'm lucky I can walk to work via our town centre so my default is walking.
If you live somewhere nice you could try a Treasure Trail route?

BCBird · 12/03/2023 08:17

I know how weight can impact on things. I was 20 plus stone and walking was a nightmare. I could walk,very slowly,but not talk. Go at a gentle pace. I have put 4 back on and can feel.a difference. Podcasts are a great idea.

pictoosh · 12/03/2023 08:24

I love walking but coming from a different angle, does it have to be walking?

I used to be very overweight so I know how it is to start out from that point. You don’t have to walk…you can swim, cycle, play badminton or buy a weighted hula hoop and shimmy your way to better fitness. Whatever your fancy, it needs to be pleasurable in some way or you’re not going to do it.

Had to laugh at the poster above who struggles with the camber on the pavement.