# I just started walking **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 4, 2023, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-started-walking/983575 "2023-05-04T18:52:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2023, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-started-walking/983575/1 "2023-05-04T18:52:22Z")
After almost 4 years of doing nothing but sitting at a computer or sitting at a coffee shop I decided to start walking again. I had a few breaks in the idleness each year that were usually only about a week or two long doing some kind of home remodeling project but aside from that almost no exercise at all. My first day I only walked 1/2 mile and I was exhausted. What was really encouraging though was the next day I was mildly sore but my posture had greatly improved, my shoulders were back and my slight slump was gone. I have only walked 4 times now. stating with the 1/2 mile for now but it has already become noticeably easier. I am hoping next week I can move up to a mile. Breathing improved with each walk. I have been smoking 2 pack a day and I am 74 years old. I am really starting to feel motivated about quitting smoking. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2023, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-started-walking/983575/2 "2023-05-04T19:13:00Z")
Cool. I felt better when I walked a mile in the morning. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2023, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-started-walking/983575/3 "2023-05-04T19:18:48Z")
Good work! ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2023, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-started-walking/983575/4 "2023-05-04T19:28:42Z")
Great job, keep it up! And I hope you quit smoking. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2023, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-started-walking/983575/5 "2023-05-04T19:37:57Z")
Awesome! Walking is so beneficial for mind, body and spirit. And it can be done by almost anyone, is almost any condition. I am glad you are concentrating on your posture, that is a huge benefit when walking. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2023, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-started-walking/983575/6 "2023-05-04T19:55:41Z")
Yaay! I bet you’ll be amazed at how soon you’re moving well & breathing better. If you can find a way to quit smoking the difference will double-amaze you. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2023, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-started-walking/983575/7 "2023-05-04T20:39:15Z")
My husband and I have recently begun walking as well. He’s created a path around the perimeter of our yard (approximately 5 acres) and we take one or two laps in the evenings. He’s trying (and succeeding) to lose a bit of weight. I’m mostly doing it for the purpose of leash-training one of the dogs, but it’s had the side effect of causing me to drink less, so that’s all to the good. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2023, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-started-walking/983575/8 "2023-05-04T21:37:30Z")
> [@Dung\_Beetle](#): > > He’s trying (and succeeding) to lose a bit of weight. I’m mostly doing it for the purpose of leash-training … From when I got to the end of the snip above somehow the rest of that sentence did not lead where I expected it to. 😁 ---
**Author:** ![Proudest\_Monkey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/proudest_monkey/32/13257_2.png) [@Proudest\_Monkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Proudest_Monkey)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2023, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-started-walking/983575/9 "2023-05-04T21:40:16Z")
I find walking to be the best exercise for me because it positively affects my health, requires no equipment aside from appropriate footwear/clothing, can be done almost anywhere, meets me at my level of ability, and is actually enjoyable. I wish you many happy walks, **HoneyBadger**! ---
**Author:** ![zimaane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a3d4f5/32.png) [@zimaane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zimaane)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2023, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-started-walking/983575/10 "2023-05-04T21:50:26Z")
That’s great @HoneyBadgerDC , I hope you keep it up and have many enjoyable walks. Do you use a step tracker ? I find that mine motivates me to keep up walking. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2023, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-started-walking/983575/11 "2023-05-04T21:55:26Z")
Oh my! ☺ ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2023, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-started-walking/983575/12 "2023-05-04T21:58:13Z")
I’ve been thinking about daily walking the circumference of my farm. It’s about a mile. I wonder if walking over roughish terrain is better or worse for you than roads. StG ---
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2023, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-started-walking/983575/13 "2023-05-04T22:07:07Z")
> [@StGermain](#): > > I wonder if walking over roughish terrain is better or worse for you than roads. As long as your knees are good, rough is a better challenge. ---
**Author:** ![Kropotkin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kropotkin/32/18045_2.png) [@Kropotkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kropotkin)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2023, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-started-walking/983575/14 "2023-05-04T23:33:07Z")
> [@Dung\_Beetle](#): > > but it’s had the side effect of causing me to drink less, so that’s all to the good. Be careful: hydration is important! ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2023, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-started-walking/983575/15 "2023-05-04T23:52:35Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > Walking is so beneficial for mind, body and spirit. I’m a runner. And while there’s an obvious benefit for the body, it does wonders for my mind as well. On my runs, I do not carry my phone, nor do I listen to music. No one knows where I am, and I can’t be contacted. It’s just me, the fresh air, and the scenery. It’s _very_ peaceful, and is a wonderful “escape” from the everyday world. I think an argument could be made that walking or running is as good for the mind as it is for the body. ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2023, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-started-walking/983575/16 "2023-05-05T00:34:20Z")
> [@zimaane](#): > > That’s great @HoneyBadgerDC , I hope you keep it up and have many enjoyable walks. Do you use a step tracker ? I find that mine motivates me to keep up walking. No, not yet but I plan to get one. ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2023, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-started-walking/983575/17 "2023-05-05T00:36:07Z")
> [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > I’m a runner. And while there’s an obvious benefit for the body, it does wonders for my mind as well. > > On my runs, I do not carry my phone, nor do I listen to music. No one knows where I am, and I can’t be contacted. It’s just me, the fresh air, and the scenery. It’s _very_ peaceful, and is a wonderful “escape” from the everyday world. I think an argument could be made that walking or running is as good for the mind as it is for the body. I would have to agree with this, just after a few days I am feeling those benefits. ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2023, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-started-walking/983575/18 "2023-05-05T00:39:54Z")
> [@StGermain](#): > > I wonder if walking over roughish terrain is better or worse for you than roads. I spent a good share of my life doing what I called reptile walks. Just basically strolling around in a field trying to find small animals just for the sake of finding them and leaving them alone. It really did help my ballance and legs in general. You often have to step high, or adjust your balance, I think it is much better. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2023, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-started-walking/983575/19 "2023-05-05T00:50:20Z")
Too bad you can’t walk to Turkmenistan. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2023, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-started-walking/983575/20 "2023-05-05T01:09:51Z")
When my dog was recovering from ACL surgery, the vet instructed me to walk him around the yard on a leash before we started going back out on the road. Walking in the grass on uneven terrain was much better exercise to get his muscles back up to speed than going on the paved road. When we go to the dog beach and walk on the sand I always feel like I’ve had a good workout! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-started-walking/983575.md?page=2)