The Walking Thread

[TiggerTrigger]

It's a new year and improved fitness/health is usually one of the top goals people have at this time. It is Monday, January 5th and today is supposedly the day most people with these goals will get started. Why? Because people wanted to enjoy the long weekend after the holiday before cutting back. In fact, I expect the gym to be pure insanity tonight. That being said, walking is one of the very best things you can do to jumpstart your health improvement plans. Running gets all kinds of love, to the point that some regular walkers feel shame that they're not running, but I think we need a thread to celebrate these healthful strides. So, I'm starting this so fellow walkers can share what they've done just to get their bodies moving. You can share your mileage (or don't share it- any distance is a move in the right direction), share whatever little things you've experienced that made it a good one, share something new that you bought that improved your walk, etc.

On the distance note, I really mean it about all distances being relevant. I was in a pretty bad place in late 2024. It was just a little over a year ago that I added a daily walk into my routine. In those early days, I rarely got in more than 1-1.5 miles and it HURT! Not because I was injured but because I was pushing myself out of a sedentary lifestyle that was no longer due to medical issues. In fact, it was creating new medical issues by not moving enough. So, please feel free to share any distance or walking achievement because it's all worthwhile And if you started over this weekend or even on New Year's Day, feel free to share it all for your first post. I know I will

 

[Christine]

So, yeah, I work full-time and commute and I just can't make the time for exercise. I could, but I don't. I'm tired.

But during the government shutdown, I decided to get out of the house and walk my dogs twice a day. It wasn't a long walk each time, but during the 8 weeks I think, I actually did form a habit and I noticed a great increase in my stamina after a few weeks. I figured that it was all going to end back at the office. But I've made sure that when I am in the office, I do a few laps twice a day in my office building. My building is HUUUGGE so I just do laps and visit other floors. It's mind numbingly boring, but I'm now averaging more steps and speed than when I was walking the dogs. I'm hitting about 9,000 steps per day doing this. It's helping me keep my weight in check and, for those with blood sugar/insulin issues, the best thing you can do after eating is to get up and walk for about 15 minutes.

 

[TiggerTrigger]

1/5/2025 - If my calculations are correct, today is day 357 of consistent daily walks for me. As you will soon see, I literally walk every day...even if I have to go into the office, traveling, have all kinds of kid stuff going on, bad weather, etc. I know this is not for everyone, but it's become sort of a therapeutic ritual.

Today, I am working from home and it's the last day before school resumes, so it was a peaceful walk. I was out the door at 6:05 am, saw a couple of the regulars out on the trails, caught the early phases of sunrise along the lake, and got in 5.95 miles before logging into work. I was especially happy because I found my hand torch. I forgot I stuffed it away in a heavy coat. I was also in my most comfy of my shoes in current rotation and had on a new pair of socks where I can really feel the good padding and compression. Happy Feet!

Edit- I meant to share 1/1-1/4 as well. On 1/1, my planned moderate distance route accidentally coincided with the Texas Marathon. My norms never used to be part of the course. In any event, I put in 9.3 miles and had so much fun with some of the runners and some neighbors/morning dog walkers who happened to be out to cheer everyone on. On 1/2, I went 5.85 miles. My body wanted to do more but I needed to get home to work. On 1/3, I pushed myself because I had time and I knew I had it in me...and went 13.14 miles. Yesterday was 5.65 miles because DD had softball stuff and my body was telling me it had enough.

 

[Christine]

1/5/2025 - If my calculations are correct, today is day 357 of consistent daily walks for me. As you will soon see, I literally walk every day...even if I have to go into the office, traveling, have all kinds of kid stuff going on, bad weather, etc. I know this is not for everyone, but it's become sort of a therapeutic ritual.

Today, I am working from home and it's the last day before school resumes, so it was a peaceful walk. I was out the door at 6:05 am, saw a couple of the regulars out on the trails, caught the early phases of sunrise along the lake, and got in 5.95 miles before logging into work. I was especially happy because I found my hand torch. I forgot I stuffed it away in a heavy coat. I was also in my most comfy of my shoes in current rotation and had on a new pair of socks where I can really feel the good padding and compression. Happy Feet!

Oh I do l love those early morning (dark) walks when I was at home. It was so peaceful. I bought a light up torso belt for me and light up LED collars for my dogs, plus the flashlight. I'm like a roaming Christmas tree but I don't have anywhere to walk without cars and we've had several pedestrians killed due to racing or distracted drivers. I really need to move!

 

[PollyannaMom]

I'm a walker too!

Some days it's outside, and some days I put a YouTube video on the iPad and walk on the treadmill, even if it's only for 15 minutes. (But it adds up - since we bought it, I've logged over 1,500 miles. )

I firmly believe habit is the key.

 

[TiggerTrigger]

Oh I do l love those early morning (dark) walks when I was at home. It was so peaceful. I bought a light up torso belt for me and light up LED collars for my dogs, plus the flashlight. I'm like a roaming Christmas tree but I don't have anywhere to walk without cars and we've had several pedestrians killed due to racing or distracted drivers. I really need to move!

I have two things that I use...

1. I got a NoxGear vest back in 2019. I can barely feel that it's on and it makes me highly visible. Not my video but this is what it's like. It might be similar to your belt.

2. My preferred illumination doesn't stand out as much but I love my Nathan hand torch. I don't even have to think about holding it as long as I tighten it. It's got enough strap that I can even use it over chunky gloves. Mine is pink and black, but I guess this is for people like me who hate wearing head lamps. I'm pretty sure it's the same model as this one.

Our trails have a number of underpasses that keep me from having to cross major streets but I do wind up going across a number of smaller streets when I'm deeper into the wooded sections. So, I know the risk is real. Most of my gear has some reflective bits as well. I have this one shirt...a bit too big for me now unless I have a lot of layers under it, but the sleeves are about 85% reflective material. So, I light up the second light hits me.

 

[longboard55]

SInce I retired 4 years ago, my focus is living long and healthy, So usually 5 times a week, a 5 mile walk or a 15 mile bike ride, also the gym and a bunch of supplements. I do not run, I do not want bad knees. Yesterday did Dana Point Harbor for a 5 mile walk. Wonderful day, lots of people out there getting out before the rain.

 

[Christine]

I have two things that I use...

1. I got a NoxGear vest back in 2019. I can barely feel that it's on and it makes me highly visible. Not my video but this is what it's like. It might be similar to your belt.

2. My preferred illumination doesn't stand out as much but I love my Nathan hand torch. I don't even have to think about holding it as long as I tighten it. It's got enough strap that I can even use it over chunky gloves. Mine is pink and black, but I guess this is for people like me who hate wearing head lamps. I'm pretty sure it's the same model as this one.

Our trails have a number of underpasses that keep me from having to cross major streets but I do wind up going across a number of smaller streets when I'm deeper into the wooded sections. So, I know the risk is real. Most of my gear has some reflective bits as well. I have this one shirt...a bit too big for me now unless I have a lot of layers under it, but the sleeves are about 85% reflective material. So, I light up the second light hits me.

I was actually going to get a vest (and will for the summer) but the ones I was looking at didn't seem practical to fit over my ginormous parka.

 

[longboard55]

I just about hit a lady last night, people need to understand you can not see people at night, particularly going around a curve. Yes they can see you in the car with the lights, that does not mean I can see them or their dogs

 

[TiggerTrigger]

I was actually going to get a vest (and will for the summer) but the ones I was looking at didn't seem practical to fit over my ginormous parka.

I will have to see if my vest works with either of mine. I have an XL men's snowboarding jacket that is massive but also just invested in a hefty North Face parka, but that's smaller and cut more for curves. I "think" the light up vest will work with the new one but not so sure about the huge men's coat. Truth be told, I usually only use the hand torch.

 

[TiggerTrigger]

Hello! Just got back from a 6.43 mile walk. Out the door at 6:02am. I was aiming for 6.5 but a neighbor I see most days stopped to talk and I ran out of time. He's a nice guy and it sounded like our little chat boosted his motivation to keep consistent with his health and fitness in the new year. I also saw one of my favorite walking ladies this morning and had my first new year's run in with one of the high school's cross country teams. I feel a little off because I reversed my primary route today, but it's good to change it up now and then.

@Christine I also took some pics in my vest to see how it worked with my winter coats. Pic 1 is a North Face Outer Boroughs parka in a women's medium. It's a bulky coat but is more form fitting and tapers at the waist. I tried to illustrate the elasticity in the reflective belting used to secure the vest. The second pic is my snowboarding jacket. Different brand (Quicksilver's Travis Rice line) in a men's extra large. It was a challenge getting it on, but the vest did fit...and this coat is super bulky. Just wanted to share since it might be a possibility with your parka.

 

[wvjules]

I saw someone on TikTok that has an app, I think, that picks a random Disney ride. Then she uses the current wait time for how long she has to walk. I thought that was an interesting and fun way to get motivated. Although if I recently started walking again, I wouldn't want to get FoP or MMRR or 7DMT, or Remy right out of the gate. lol

 

[TiggerTrigger]

I saw someone on TikTok that has an app, I think, that picks a random Disney ride. Then she uses the current wait time for how long she has to walk. I thought that was an interesting and fun way to get motivated. Although if I recently started walking again, I wouldn't want to get FoP or MMRR or 7DMT, or Remy right out of the gate. lol

That's an awesome way to get started. It also would be a good way to vary it up. One of those high demand long wait rides would be great on a day where you wanted a longer distance but maybe your shorter days are Haunted Mansion or PotC... well, on an average wait day.

Not quite the same but I used to have a Disney playlist. I ditched it because it was taking up too much space on my phone but there are some great options on Spotify or even a build your own. I know I used mine (especially the parks music) to envision myself walking through the parks as a motivator to keep going. Like if I make it through the music to It's a Small World my imagination will say I've walked to Fantasyland...or something like that.

 

[disneychrista]

I have been trying to add a walk to my daily routine for a few months. BUT there is always a reason to not. It is dark in the morning and by the time I get home from work. It is raining. My back, knees, etc hurt.

My plan it to take my lunch hour and walk 30 minutes (give or take), unless of course it is rainy, until maybe February when I can walk after work.

 

[DCL58]

Started walking every day almost 3 years ago. Caught a nasty case of Covid on the Disney fantasy Bermuda cruise. Was so sick I could barely walk the 1/2 mile loop in my neighborhood. Started walking then to get my stamina back and never stopped.

Have lost 16 pounds. Gone from a size 12 to a size 6. Feel so much better. Will walk everyday for as long as I am able! Which I hope is a very long time since walking has made me much healthier than I was.

 

[slo]

I love to workout and exercise and have been this way my entire adult life. I have a few suggestions in regards to walking, which I look forward to doing again once I’m cleared from my foot surgery last month. I’m finally biting the bullet and replacing my left knee in August and then the right in 2027. Once I get cleared from that, I’m very much going to start training for my 3rd half marathon.

My suggestions to get more steps into your walking routine….

*If you have a treadmill, ditch the music and watch a movie or TV show. Do not get off the treadmill until the movie is at the halfway point or the TV show is over. It doesn’t matter what pace you’re doing, just keep walking.

*Sign up for 5K to walk in. It doesn’t have to be a fancy 5K, just a town one. This gives you a goal to work towards and when you get to the 5K just walk, don’t consider it to be a “race”. Get your tshirt for the race and wear it with pride. Who cares if it takes you 2 hours - you did it and that’s what matters.

Good luck to everyone! I wish you good health and achieved fitness goals in 2026

 

[TiggerTrigger]

I have been trying to add a walk to my daily routine for a few months. BUT there is always a reason to not. It is dark in the morning and by the time I get home from work. It is raining. My back, knees, etc hurt.

My plan it to take my lunch hour and walk 30 minutes (give or take), unless of course it is rainy, until maybe February when I can walk after work.

It's really easy to find reasons not to get out there. Some reasons are legitimate but one of my friends had this motivational saying ... something about regrets and how I'd be less likely to live with regrets if I just got out there and did it. It was far more eloquent than that, but you hopefully get the idea.

Finding a plan that works for you where you can be consistent has been the key for me and a number of people. If rain is your concern, access to a good treadmill may be your answer. For me, I will resort to treadmill walking if there is lightning or high winds (i.e. too dangerous to be outside). I love walking outside, even in the dark, the cold, and the rain. So, the answer for consistency for me was what I could acquire to make unfavorable conditions more tolerable. For rain, I bought a rain jacket for sports and some water resistant hiking pants. The jacket is actually for cycling, so it's got sort of a rubberized gasket kind of band in the bottom to hold it in place and the hood has a brim to help hold a helmet, so the rain just drips off the brim while my face stays dry. The hiking pants have enough room in them that I can also use them as layering on a cold day...so multi-purpose. And everything has zip pockets to keep my stuff dry. My standard socks are already moisture wicking, so that helps with my feet. In any event, just some ideas to make it work in inclement weather.

 

[hmsTigger]

So, yeah, I work full-time and commute and I just can't make the time for exercise. I could, but I don't. I'm tired.

But during the government shutdown, I decided to get out of the house and walk my dogs twice a day. It wasn't a long walk each time, but during the 8 weeks I think, I actually did form a habit and I noticed a great increase in my stamina after a few weeks. I figured that it was all going to end back at the office. But I've made sure that when I am in the office, I do a few laps twice a day in my office building. My building is HUUUGGE so I just do laps and visit other floors. It's mind numbingly boring, but I'm now averaging more steps and speed than when I was walking the dogs. I'm hitting about 9,000 steps per day doing this. It's helping me keep my weight in check and, for those with blood sugar/insulin issues, the best thing you can do after eating is to get up and walk for about 15 minutes.

 

[TiggerTrigger]

Whew! I did not want to get up today! I have been really tired this week. I'm not sure if it's the post holidays exhaustion (including dismantling the outdoor display) or if that B Vitamin additive I've been using in my water this week is changing my sleep, but I am sleepy! I still managed to roll myself out of bed and was out the door by 6:05am for 6.04 miles. There were a lot more walkers out today. I also was with the girls' cross country team for a bit. As usual...super courteous. Oh, and I had an owl fly overhead in the trees just as I started to get some light. I thought it was a barred but it turned its head briefly and appeared to be a young great horned! I hear them through the woods but never see them!

Also trying to game plan for Friday. There's a growing chance of rain in the forecast that would overlap with walk time and may include t-storms. I'll probably just have to wake up a little early and check the radar before I decide if it's a rain gear or gym treadmill situation. It'll be around 70 degrees if it's safe to be out there, so I may just choose to get wet (vs. overheating in waterproof gear).

 

[Meriweather]

I walk 10,000 steps or more depending on the day.
I miss a few days (Like Christmas when we were busy with family and also long flight days).
Cardiologist said it was fantastic, so I will try to keep doing it. I'm older with bad legs, so it does take me awhile during the day to get it done.