Thanks. 
I used to walk a ton when I lived in my previous apartment. The location was absolutely fantastic, so I was within a reasonable walking distance of all kinds of shops and restaurants and such. My current place is not as well-situated, and without the promise of lunch or the movies or whatever at the end of my journey, I guess I kind of fell out of the habit. All I have here to motivate me are fresh air and sylvan trails. Who digs that kind of stuff?
I’m so happy for you, OP! I started walking about 4-6 times/week during a really awful time in my life a couple of years ago. I needed something I could do just for me that was away from everybody else. The sunlight, the fresh air, the ability to choose what I did and when I did it just for a little while helped my mental health so much. Then there were the side benefits of lower BP, etc. Just a few minutes can make a world of difference.
I measure my walks by the amount of TIME I walked rather than the DISTANCE. I’m not saying that everyone should use that metric. I’m just offering options.
I would like to work up to 1 hour but at this point I am not even close. If I walk at a fast pace 15 min is my limit right now, a week ago 8 min was my limit. If I slow down the pace 30 or 40 min is no problem. When I hit a plateau at my current pace I will likely adjust my pace so I can walk an hour… I like the feeling of breathing hard and some minor aching in my legs. If I go too slow I don’t get that.
The walking app I use on my Android is “Simply Walking”. Does what I need without excess complexity.
All that is excellent news. And shows somebody ready to make this a long-term change, not a one-month experiment followed by a return to sloth. (Says the guy sitting in a recliner at 2pm while a wonderful day beckons outside without me).
Congrats and good luck!
Part of the reason I started the thread was for just a tad more motivation if I am feeling lazy, which is everyday.
Good for you! Walking is the best exercise. I started about15 years ago and haven’t quit. I walk 3 miles every morning starting at 5:45am. I have three dogs and I take them each for a 1 mile walk. Then in the afternoon or early evening, I either do that all over again or I take them out in our woods behind our house so they can run. I walk no matter what the weather is. I generally walk 4-6 miles/day, 7 days/week. If for some reason I miss a walk, I don’t feel right.
I hope to be where you are in a few months.
Well today I got in two 1/2 mile walks. The biggest improvement is in my breathing, my recovery time to normal breathing is about 2 minutes now. My legs still fill weak, noticing a little improvement in how long the stiffness lasts after my walks but still need a huge improvement in leg strength. I still have good muscle they just fatigue very quickly.
Improving steadily, Today was the first time I hit 1 mile at a decent pace, just slightly under 3mph. I almost felt like it was a bit too much but I recovered quickly and felt the best I have felt in a long time within about 1 hour of walking. I failed on the smoking but not giving up. The walking seemed to just cut it in half naturally. I think I may have gotten just a twinge of that endorphin rush.
That is the best post I’ve read all week. Hooray!
If you’re struggling with the smoking thing, you might try one of those nicotine patches or gums. Done right they can keep the cravings down without trashing your lungs and allow a better weaning off he drugs.
Well done, congrats!
This reminds me of a favorite quote: You are under no obligation to be the same person you were five minutes ago.
I was just thinking last night I should probably go to the patch.
This reminds me that Mrs. Cheesesteak and I need to get back to having nightly walks. There’s a small park right across the street from the house, and 3 laps is a nice little workout.
I’ve been walking on a local trail with Simi, our coconut retriever. I’ve worked on making him stop, sit, stay, whenever a bicycle passes us.
Walking combined with low carb dining and intermittent fasting (no breakfast or lunch on Tuesdays and Thursdays) has caused me to drop some pounds. I’ve also replaced some of my beer with vodka, so I refer to my vodka on the rocks as a health drink.
I made a cherry cheesecake on Saturday night by Sunday night I had eaten the whole thing.
I wish my dog would walk more instead of stopping every 20 ft to examine or piss on something. I used to take him on 1 hour walks in the evening for exercise but we stop so much I don’t ever get my breathing going.