Anyone walk for fitness?

[rainyday]

I can't be the only one who can't run, so instead I walk for fitness! Is there anyone else out there who walks and walks?

I've been trying to up the cardiovascular benefits of walking by going up more hills (and trying to walk/trudge up them faster!) and walking faster overall. It's pretty hilly where I live, so pretty much anywhere I go involves going up and down hills.

I love the idea of running, but I think it's too hard on my joints. Plus when I try it, I have trouble breathing. I think I may have some mild asthma that gets triggered by it.

I have a pedometer that I wear most days, and it's pretty accurate. I try to do at least 10,000 steps a day, but I prefer to do 5 miles (which is more than 10,000 steps for me).

Anyone else like to walk (or do it because it's good for you)? Want to have a support thread to encourage us to get up and out the door? I know I need the encouragement to keep it up!

[tri31]

I think walking is excellent. I imagine it will be a big part of my workouts, after my baby is born. I lost 30 lbs a year and a half ago, by walking and weight training.

[rainyday]

Tricia, hope to see you here in a few months!

Anyone else? Are there really no walkers?

[LukesMum]

I have walked for fitness for 20 years!! Imat my ideal weight and love it. I even got my husband to be a walker. Now I practice yoga 4-5x a week but still walk 3-4 days a week.....Im in Germany and Its cold and icey here so its less appealling. I have nordic walking sticks....love them!

[wendyland]

I'm not a fan of running. I think that walking for fitness is really good. I like marksdailyapple. He advocates walking daily with sprinting once or twice a week. That's works pretty well for me. I'm trying to add more weight bearing exercises to my week.

My pedometer has been acting goofy lately. I have an omron and it keeps resetting itself. That makes me sad.

Anyone have a pedometer brand that they think is reliable?

[rainyday]

I have an Omron HJ-112 pedometer. It seems like the reset button would get hit a lot accidentally, but it's only happened once in the past couple of years. If that's what you have already, I don't know what to recommend!

[wendyland]

I do have that Omron. I must be hitting that button somehow. I wish they didn't make it so easy to press.

[eli's mama]

I walk for fitness!! I used to practice yoga a lot too, but since I have all these kids walking is so much easier. I love it and I think it works quite well for keeping in shape.

[tri31]

Hi, I was just curious how you all are doing, now that it is Spring? I just started walking postpartum about two weeks ago. I have lost about 1.5 pounds as of today. I have my checkup tommorrow, hopefully I will get the green light to start wearing the baby and pushing the stroller. Very good cardio, in my neighborhood.

[rainyday]

I sprained my ankle about six weeks ago, so I got out of the habit! It's pretty much healed now, and it's definitely to the point where I need to start rebuilding strength in it, so I'm going to try to start walking again! I need to dig out my pedometer and put a new battery in it. I find that wearing a pedometer helps motivate me to go further!

[sophiesgrandma]

I walk almost every day for fitness. I go 4 miles and I either walk on my treadmill at 3.6 mph and go up to elevation 4 every 2 minutes or on nice days I walk a 4 mile circuit in my neighborhood which is very hilly. I love walking very much. I used to like to jog a bit too but since having 3 episodes and resulting surgeries from detached retinas, I am fearful of jogging.
But thats fine with me, I love walking and it brings me much stress-relief and it also allows me my own special time to be alone with my thoughts.
It lowers blood pressure and bad choleterol and it is the best weight-bearing excercise you can do for strong bones.
I've done it for years and I'll do it as long as I am alive and able.

[PacificNWMom]

Great thread! I love walking!

A few years ago I developed awful allergies/asthma that made it nearly impossible to workout or even take long walks. I tried several allergy and asthma medications that only caused more problems. It became difficult to breathe just doing ordinary tasks. I became terribly fatigued from not being able to breathe well, and I gained a lot of weight.

After much research, my husband found a wonderful supplement that has changed my life! No more swollen sinuses and chest heaviness. I can breathe! Lol! I've recently started walking again. I found a nice 2.5 mile route that I walk 2 times in a row. It's a pleasant walk, and I find it both exhilarating and relaxing.

I've always enjoyed long walks, and I am so glad that I have the chance to do so again. Now, I hope to walk this extra weight off.

[RosemaryS-F]

I have been an avid walker since my freshman year at college (ahem...14 years ago...eek) I started up again more avidly since winter (I'll often slow down in the winter) and my goal was 10,000 steps a day, but recently I've been getting waaay more than that (like often 22k!!!) Walking for fitness is relaxing, recreational, possible with kids, and fits right into my lifestyle.

[tri31]

It is a beautiful day here in the Southern Tier of Ny. We are easily over 10,000 steps today. Wonder how many my toddler is racking up every day.

[mags.bubble]

I walk too! I started wearing a pedometer last November. It really keeps me on track and shows me when I am really lazy. My son is in afternoon kindy so I try to take a long walk with the dog at that time or walk to the grocery store and pick up what we need. I am trying to incorporate walks into my daily life as much as possible. I used to also take a yoga class weekly, but fell out of the habit so right now walking is it. I am watching my calorie intake becuase I would like to lose 5 lbs.

My step goal on the pedometer is to average 8K/day/month this month. I am raising my goal gradually trying to devolop a habit.

I am worried that when the kids are out of school this summer my routine will fail.

btw, I also use the omron HJ pedometer , but mine is the 113 walking style version. Never had it reset on me so far. Seems pretty accurate.

[Therese's Mommy]

I have walked on and off for about 8 years. I am back on now trying to shed this baby weight. I would like to walk an hour a day with my baby in the Beco. Between her extra weight and the hills in my neighborhood it makes for a good workout. I have been out the past 3 days walking about 45 minutes each day. I have no idea how far I am walking, but I am getting my heart rate up and my muscles are letting me know that I am working them