Reasons to love walking

[sunny]

Hi all,
I go out walking most evenings if its not raining. On these nightly rambles around my little village I get to do a lot of thinking and I've been thinking about these forums. I've read that many people find getting into the habit of walking quite challenging. So i pondered. Why do I love walking? Why is it working so well for me? I came up with about 20 great answers to those questions, (great, if i do say so myself) so I thought i would share my ponderings with anyone who might be interested. I'll share some today and add more over time. Feel free to add your own reasons to like walking or questions if you have any. Here goes...

I love walking because it gets my blood pumping and as i push on up the hills and start to puff and pant, the endorphins kick in and it feels good to be alive. I usually walk on my own and i take the time to revel in how good it feels to be out in the fresh air (very fresh at this time of year in Italy, about 4 degrees). I walk tall, striding out along the road, feeling strong and in control. 

The point is, a walk is what you make of it. If you see it as a chore you have to complete you won't enjoy it. I see it as my treat, my reward at the end of a hard days work, a little time out for myself.

More soon...
 :)Sunny

[lynda]

Good topic Sunny.
When I walk I love to see what is happening around me.  We live in a "lifestyle" area and when we moved 20 years ago we had all sorts of fun things organised as we all had kids. They have all grown now so when I walk its nice to see what the neighbours have done in the garden, enjoy the fresh air, maybe even bump into one of the neighbours but hey, its great to be out there and I feel so much better - its those endorphins kicking in.  My mind wanders when I go out and that is just great too - idle stuff

[Jill]

Good morning

Not one of my  favourite topics.  I'm one of "those" people.....not a walker.  It is more that I like a purpose(other than it's good for you).  As I am still travelling we are having take away for dinner.  We were so tired last night burgers were it.  I walked as I would take more time trying to find somewhere and park in the car.  Two blocks left and three blocks down in a roaring wind, I'd worn off that hamburger before it touched my lips.  But you see there was a practical reason for the walk, I enjoy the sense of achievement if there is a purpose to it.

[sunny]

Head space,
Another reason I love to walk is that it gives me some time to think. My husband and I teach at the same school so getting time on my own can be tricky. But he has his touch rugby and goes to the gym with his mate and I have my evening walks. I love the time that it gives my to just think. Walking is the best exercise for this because you don't have to concentrate to do it. It almost as easy as breathing; something automatic. I like other sports too like swimming, squash and aerobics but there you have to think about what you're doing, the moves, the game etc. Walking is just so easy in comparison. Sometimes I think about work, planning things I want to do, sometimes I think about the future, or I compose an email in my head. Sometimes I even think about what I want to say here on the forum!! So, besides the physical benefits, I'm quite convinced of the metal health benefits of walking as well. I fell energised but I also feel calmer and more relaxed after a walk because I've had ytime to sort through all the things on my mind.

More thoughts soon...
Sunny

[lynda]

I walked yesterday.  It got me focused for the day.  Knowing that I was down on the scales and going for a walk was to keep that focus.  I take the dog so spend quite a bit of time keeping him off the road. 
I too, Sunny, find it great to be out there alone.  I work with my husband and our 23 yr old son lives at home. Our girls don't but they spend quite a bit of time there too and sometimes its just nice to be out there in the rain washing away any "stuff".
Like you my mind wanders on its own. I do walk off up the road if I need to get away.  I can walk up and down the aisles in our home orchard and thats quite a good walk too even though its not "huge" but its good with Dylan as he can walk along and I don't have to worry about cars. We have no footpaths!
It is liberating to walk and I love to hear your thoughts about this.
I also love tennis and have seriously been considering joining a club again. I was very good in the old days!!!

[sunny]

The price is right...so is the time
One of the best reasons to love walking is the cost. It's absolutely free of course, so everyone can afford to do it, as often as they like. I like going to aerobics, the gym and swimming but all of these things cost money. And I have to admit I resent having to pay anything when I know I can walk for free. You don't need to buy any clothes or equipment for walking either, I just wear my scruffy trackies and most worn in/worn out sneakers. My italian neighbours, glamourous and well dressed as they are, are probably not impressed but I really don't care. Of course this means that you can't use the 'too expensive' excuse to avoid going for a walk!
The added bonus about walking is that unlike classes, the gym or the pool you can go any time you like, its never too late or early to walk. You aren't relying on anyone to come with you either like you do with sports like tennis. You can go on your own or with friends, whenever you have ten or more minutes to spare. I have to say that walking has replaced evening tv for me, and I'm pretty happy with the trade off. Let's face iyt, theres nothing on worth watching anyway.

I have more reasons too... just you wait!
Ciao for now
Sunny

[sunny]

Hello again,
I've just thought of the best reason for walking! Weight loss! The weeks that I walk I always lose more than the weeks when i don't. Over the middle of our Italian winter it was freezing, below zero every day, snowy and icy and i stopped walking for several months. This coincided with me being stuck on a weight loss plateau (the little cheats and many special occasions didn't help) but without the walks I really got stuck. I'm just getting back into the habit now and the weight is starting to coome off again. Funnily enough when I'm involved in good exercise habits its easier to follow good food habits too.

Sunny