Walking

Tinkerbell · #1 (**permalink**) 28-01-2005, 10:14 AM

Can anyone explain why walking as a recreational exercise, does not appear to have the kudos and encouragement which is attributed to, say, canoeing, ski-ing, football etc., which along with other leisure activities are not all practiced competitively, but which may receive more glamorous media and corporate support. How often does a group of reluctant hockey 'playing' students take a 90min. walk instead, when they may observe their surroundings with an enquiring and, maybe, critical mind? Many adults too, rarely walk even a short distance regularly - missing an opportunity to interact with others on foot, or look at their environment with more interest. Driving or being driven to partake in leisure pursuits locally, conceivably negates the health advantages of the exercise.

Surely when 'sport' initiatives are being considered nationally, walking should be high on the list of priorities.

Eileen · #2 (**permalink**) 29-01-2005, 05:53 PM

Well said Tinkerbell!! I'm one of the 'old school' that still thinks of walking as a lovely way to spend either a short while or a whole day exploring what nature has to offer.
Isn't it a pity that most of the youngsters of today would rather 'chat' on their mobiles? They are missing soooooooooo much.
One of my Christmas presents was an AA book about walks all over Britain - anything from 2 miles upwards. If I can do it anybody can as I'm a middle aged, overweight housewife with two artificial knees!!!

Tinkerbell · #3 (**permalink**) 27-10-2005, 04:43 PM

Have just resurrected an old thread. Our local junior school recently hung purple balloons on local gates, together with a note which said something like '5 mins. walk from the junior school', then more balloons and '3 mins. walk from the junior school' and so on. This was to encourage more folk to walk at least part of the way. I don't know if it was a success, but it was colourful and made me smile, when I got off my bike to see what it was all about.

John · #4 (**permalink**) 27-10-2005, 04:55 PM

I'm afraid that sport orientated people would probably not give a 2nd thought about their surroundings, much preffering to keep their minds on what lies ahead of them.

The focussing aspect of their mind would probably get in the way of taking in, and enjoying the surroundings.

The problem is we are not all of the same mind and what we think should be good for someone would possibly be ignored by them.

Rambling is a very popular pastime nowadays and a lot of youngsters get involved in it. Those that don't will possibly change their attitudes as they get older and take in outdoor pastimes , such as walking, etc.

I have to admit that allthough I played Football, Rugby, Cricket and took part in the school sports days you would never catch me walking anywhere if I could help it. Now look at me. You can't keep me out of the country now.

henrya · #5 (**permalink**) 27-10-2005, 04:59 PM

One of the reasons that people don't walk so much is probably the amount of traffic on the roads. I can remember, when a boy, walking for miles on country lanes, with only the occasional car passing, and not fast at that. It isn't like that nowadays.

There are footpaths of course, but they are not always well known and don't often start at your door.

But I walk whenever I can. A couple of years ago I went to a meeting in London, on the day the Underground was on strike. Arriving at Kings Cross, my colleagues said "Let's get a bus." I shook my head and said I'd walk. About an hour later I arrived at the door of the meeting room at the same time as the others - I thought they'd been for a coffee, but the roads had been so jammed that they'd been on the bus all the time!

I do think people have got lazy though. People will get in the car for the shortest of distances.

henrya

Pat · #6 (**permalink**) 27-10-2005, 07:18 PM

One thing I'll never understand is people walking along with these things plugged into their ears listening to music or whatever, I see it every day when I'm out walking the dogs. They walk along with their eyes looking ahead not noticing anything going on around them. When I go for a walk I like to hear the birds singing and listen for the rustling in the undergrowth where all the little creatures are rushing about and looking out for any plants that are interesting, I just couldn't enjoy a walk without all that.

Boddie · #7 (**permalink**) 27-10-2005, 08:14 PM

In the past four months I have lost over 3 stone mainly from walking and a bit of cycling, coupled with an an improved diet but definitely the walking has made big difference. Most of my walks are of at least 90 minutes and apparently to walk the day before a meal helps to digest the meal better and helps with calorific loss. I am now a trim 12 stone - 76 kg, 6 footer. When I don't take a walk I feel more lethargic for days and a good walk revitalises me and I feel the benefits for two or three days afterwards. Unfortunately, with all of my study, my walks have been limited but the weekend gives me the opportunity to get out, stretch the legs and refresh my mind

nightshade · #8 (**permalink**) 27-10-2005, 08:30 PM

Please keep walking,observing and being polite to people you meet a secret
what sort of world would it be if everyone did it?
exercise the secret of living for a long time feeling good mentally and physically what if everyone knew what sort of people we have become, we would be persecuted like X-men(persons)

Boddie · #9 (**permalink**) 27-10-2005, 08:47 PM

Well said

Pat · #10 (**permalink**) 27-10-2005, 08:49 PM

You're right there, I didn't look at it that way!!

Rich_ · #11 (**permalink**) 29-10-2005, 04:39 PM

It is not necessary to dress in a tracksuit and trainers and carry a bottle of water like you see a lot of people doing, for walking to be a valid form of excercise either.(I wonder if people dress this way to reasure themselves they are excercising and not just walking from A to B)

It will do you just as good, and burn as many calories dressed in your old jacket and boots.

Helen · #12 (**permalink**) 29-10-2005, 05:37 PM

Agree 100% with you, Rich. Walking is great excercise, regardless of what one wears. I suspect all this nonsense about tracksuits/bottles of water etc is a fashion fad. Let's face it, bottles of water are now a part of a person, whether walking to the shops, driving in their car, or simply out for a walk in country. One of my pet hates, that is!

Welcome to the forum by the way!

Regards

Rich_ · #13 (**permalink**) 29-10-2005, 06:13 PM

Thanks, Helen,

The forum seems quite interesting reading.

Pat · #14 (**permalink**) 29-10-2005, 06:56 PM

Quite aggree with you Helen, one of my pet hates too, I pick up no end of empty water bottles on my walks. Another thing, where are all the joggers in the bad weather? I've been out 2 evening running when it's been raining and not a jogger in sight not that I'm bothered I'd sooner them not be around when I'm walking. As you say it's probably a fashion fad.

Oy · #15 (**permalink**) 09-01-2006, 08:48 AM

Another keen walker checking in!

The Lake District and areas around SW Lancs are my regular haunts.

I have quite a lot of involvement with our Local Authority's Public Rights of Way Department too - I take a lot of photos for them. In fact I've just finished walking and photographing a series of 16 new walking routes for them. They're producing a series of leaflets for a "healthy Walking Initiative" to try to promote walking - mainly short 1-2 hours walks.

John · #16 (**permalink**) 09-01-2006, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich_

It is not necessary to dress in a tracksuit and trainers and carry a bottle of water like you see a lot of people doing, for walking to be a valid form of excercise either.(I wonder if people dress this way to reasure themselves they are excercising and not just walking from A to B)

It will do you just as good, and burn as many calories dressed in your old jacket and boots.

Hi Rich

Just seen your photo. Boy you look like the old Jack Hargreaves. Do you remember him.

John

Oy · #17 (**permalink**) 09-01-2006, 09:08 AM

Here's a small sample of the sort of photos I've been taking for the above walks.

Can any of the Football fans identify the stadium in the first pic?

Tinkerbell · #18 (**permalink**) 09-01-2006, 01:26 PM

Not a football fan myself - but I know we have one or two who visit the site, who may be able to identify. Back to your footpath involvement - I look forward to seeing the Healthy Walking Leaflets. We visited Keswick last year and on the whole found the footpaths fairly well signposted, but we did come unstuck once or twice and have no desire to enrage farmers by trespassing on their land. Keep up the good work Oy.

Oy · #19 (**permalink**) 09-01-2006, 01:59 PM

I don't think many will associate the countryside in the photos with the town involved

Rich_ · #20 (**permalink**) 09-01-2006, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John

Hi Rich

Just seen your photo. Boy you look like the old Jack Hargreaves. Do you remember him.

John

I used to watch him regularly when I got home from school, particularly when he was fishing, but he could make anything to do with the countryside interesting. Recently bought some dvds which have been released which i have been watching, hence his photo against my posts.

Rich..........

John · #21 (**permalink**) 09-01-2006, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich_

I used to watch him regularly when I got home from school, particularly when he was fishing, but he could make anything to do with the countryside interesting. Recently bought some dvds which have been released which i have been watching, hence his photo against my posts.

Rich..........

I fell for that Rich. lol

Now you've got me guessing what you really look like.

John

Rich_ · #22 (**permalink**) 09-01-2006, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John

I fell for that Rich. lol

Now you've got me guessing what you really look like.

John

I'm not quite that old

BartonFlyer · #23 (**permalink**) 09-01-2006, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oy

Here's a small sample of the sort of photos I've been taking for the above walks.

Can any of the Football fans identify the stadium in the first pic?

The JJB in Wigan? If so it's every bit as much a rugby league stadium as football - now that's a real game

Cheers
Ian
(Salford City Reds supporter)

Oy · #24 (**permalink**) 09-01-2006, 08:32 PM

Spot on Ian - on both counts

Kyani · #25 (**permalink**) 13-01-2006, 10:38 PM

I love to walk. Unfortunately, where I live, circumstances often simply don't allow me to walk where I want, or at all.
The walk home from school is ok, about 45 minutes, but through miserable surroundings and all along roads where any wildlife you see will be squashed, and to be honest I don't and wouldn't want to walk the latter part anyway since I'd have to do it on my own. Walking a horrible route is bad enough, but on your own is worse. So I only walk half.
There are nice places around here to walk though. Trouble is, if I want to walk, it has been drilled into my brain NOT TO GO OUT ALONE, for obvious reasons. To be honest, it's probably a very good idea, but then that leaves me with only a mum who can't walk too far due to tendonitis and a bunch of friends who are either too busy or give me the 'why on earth would you want to go for a walk' look.
And this is why I need to move. Or get a car.
And get a dog, so I have an excuse.