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Building a walking routine

sahilbloom.com

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Re: Building a walking routine

#21

Post by function_seven »

ffactory wrote: post #14
s-lambert wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Where do people live where going outside for a walk for an hour is that dangerous? I'm pretty sure even if you lived in a super high crime rate area you could still find times to go outside for a walk during the day. Unless we're talking about extreme scenarios like living in an active war-zone.

I'm pretty sure the comment is about cities not built for pedestrians, commonly found in the US.

I’ve never seen a city that doesn’t have some way to go on walks.

All the terrible unwalkable cities in the US are called that because you can’t actually walk to anything useful. In other words, those cities that require a car to do errands, go shopping, get to work, go to school, etc.

But for exercise—walking for walking’s sake—it’s usually doable. It is nice if you can get the walking “for free” by combining it with ordinary life, though

Re: Building a walking routine

#22

Post by garren »

jeffbee wrote: post #17

The circular design of Apple HQ seems to misunderstand the mental benefits of walking. Walking in a giant circular building your view never changes even slightly. I bet people doing that walk show fewer benefits of walking.

Is walking on a treadmill significantly more or less beneficial than walking in a big circle? Does a constant change in view confer some measurable benefit compared to a static view?

Re: Building a walking routine

#23

Post by [deleted] »

Centigonal wrote: post #6
gedy wrote: post #2

Agreed, though the article lays it on a little thick.. Daily, 7 days per week walking (4+ miles) has definitely improved my physical and mental health. Got me through a bout of anxiety/panic attacks as well. Highly recommend it.

How do you fit this onto your life? Do you do one long walk in the morning or split it into smaller walks throughout the day? Is it the same each day or different? Do you vary your routes?

[deleted]

Re: Building a walking routine

#25

Post by garren »

tjr225 wrote: post #9

I would only add to this: try it without podcasts and music. Let your mind go somewhere else.

I’d go the opposite direction and say throw on an audiobook. I walk pretty regularly and found that a good long audiobook can be motivating.

Re: Building a walking routine

#26

Post by pstuart »

kderbyma wrote: post #7
alpark3 wrote: post #4

Does walking on a treadmill replicate the effects? Or is the slowly changing scenery and physical sensation of moving through/to somewhere a major part in the positive effects?

I think physically it would be similar, but mentally it would not be the same. the act of going from a place to a new place is the real joy of walking because you observe as you go.

Also misses out on fresh air and possible sunshine.

Re: Building a walking routine

#27

Post by rg111 »

TheRealPomax wrote: post #3

Of course, what this usually ignores is "...and live somewhere where you can actually safely walk for an hour".

Just get a treadmill. Not as pleasant as walking in nature, among trees, or by a lake.

But beats walking in a crowded city or having to cross roads anyday.

I live in a place where it is too hot, and only time people can go on walks is dawn/pre-morning. As a night owl, I cannot do that. So I bought a treadmill.

It has been great for me and has served me really well.

The cognitive benefits mentioned in the article and what many of us know, you can derive that from treadmill walking. I can attest to that.

Re: Building a walking routine

#28

Post by rg111 »

pstuart wrote: post #26
kderbyma wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think physically it would be similar, but mentally it would not be the same. the act of going from a place to a new place is the real joy of walking because you observe as you go.

Also misses out on fresh air and possible sunshine.

Only if you live in a place where sunshine is pleasant.

Treadmill has been a lifesaver for me and has finally let me have a consistent running/walking habit.

Couldn't go out in the dawn as I am a night owl. When I managed that, winter (fog) or monsoon would ensue and mess with my routine.

Treadmill saved me.

Re: Building a walking routine

#29

Post by rg111 »

garren wrote: post #25
tjr225 wrote: post #9

I would only add to this: try it without podcasts and music. Let your mind go somewhere else.

I’d go the opposite direction and say throw on an audiobook. I walk pretty regularly and found that a good long audiobook can be motivating.

Same goes for me.

I get bored while walking/running, and can only do it while having music on (running) or have a podcast/audiobook (walking).

Music doesn't really mess with your mind going somewhere.

And you can discover connections and have other insights while listening to a podcast or an audiobook.

Try listening to an audiobook while sitting and doing nothing or doing chores versus listening to it while walking. You will gain more cognitively if you listen to it while walking. Speaking from personal experience.

Re: Building a walking routine

#30

Post by thestepafter »

Centigonal wrote: post #6
gedy wrote: post #2

Agreed, though the article lays it on a little thick.. Daily, 7 days per week walking (4+ miles) has definitely improved my physical and mental health. Got me through a bout of anxiety/panic attacks as well. Highly recommend it.

How do you fit this onto your life? Do you do one long walk in the morning or split it into smaller walks throughout the day? Is it the same each day or different? Do you vary your routes?

I read a quote once that basically says, if it’s important you will make time for it. A 4 mile walk can be completed in a little over an hour. The question isn’t how do you make time, it’s more, what am I going to give up to walk?
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