I've thought about incorporating such long walks into my lifestyle but I'm not certain the benefits add up. Definitely a fun idea though!
Do you do any exercise at all?
Yes, I walk/run, but not this far.
How to Walk (12 miles a day)
101–110 of 259 posts
Re: How to Walk (12 miles a day)
#102> I will end by saying, as a guy, I have never had any problems from other people. In all my years walking all over. But that it is sadly very very different for women. He's either only walking in exceptionally safe areas, he's very large, or I have a particularly punchable face. I biked every road in St. Louis a few years ago, which required biking every street in some high-crime neighborhoods. I was frequently made…
Bike gets a stronger reaction than walking, especially on roads without bike lanes.
Bars have aggressive drunks.
Re: How to Walk (12 miles a day)
#103I find the anti-backpack mindset interesting, because I started urban walking after getting wilderness backpacking experience. I can't imagine walking around without a daypack, and I often bring it with me even when it's empty. On my morning commute today it held a Kindle, a spare set of headphones, and a plastic bag for when I buy more groceries than can fit in the pack. I'm probably not going to use any of those be…
>I can't imagine walking around without a daypack
Depends on how hot and humid it is outside. Even in breathable clothing like Nike Dryfit or any of the thousand knockoffs, in 90+ degrees, high humidity weather, a backpack blocks perspiration evaporating off. It literally becomes a hot spot on your back. He did have one tip I don't entirely agree with to use Vaseline, but instead I use Glide just because I don't care for the consistency of petroleum jelly. Although he mentions long sleeves shirts and a hat with neck guard, he said nothing explicitly about skin or eye protection; people in the sun day after day should be wearing polarizing lenses and high SPF clothing along with sun screen.
Re: How to Walk (12 miles a day)
#104I find the anti-backpack mindset interesting, because I started urban walking after getting wilderness backpacking experience. I can't imagine walking around without a daypack, and I often bring it with me even when it's empty. On my morning commute today it held a Kindle, a spare set of headphones, and a plastic bag for when I buy more groceries than can fit in the pack. I'm probably not going to use any of those be…
Is the spare set of headphones in addition to another on you, or secondary to the ones left at home?
Re: How to Walk (12 miles a day)
#105Get a dog that requires exercise to not be an asshole. I have two Weimaraners, for example.
Re: How to Walk (12 miles a day)
#106Earlier quoted context omitted.
Elaborate on 'I'm not certain the benefits add up'
My interpretation is that GP is observing that the benefits do not scale linearly. Most of the exercise benefit happens after a relatively short walk. The extra two hours a day for a long walk is expensive in time, but doesn't multiply the benefits 3x.
Walking is nice in that it's low-impact, although it's probably much more time-efficient to do a shorter, higher intensity exercise like running. (Saying this as someone who primarily walks and never runs)
Re: How to Walk (12 miles a day)
#107Earlier quoted context omitted.
> allows me time to process existing thoughts as opposed to consuming more inputs This can't be stressed enough. With phones and the Internet today, most of us consume way more information than we have time to really process, organize, and reflect on. It's like we do a shopping spree every single day and never spend any time in our house unpacking any of the grocery bags. Our minds are a chaotic mess of piled up worr…
What I like to do sometimes is spend the first 10-ish minutes listening to a book or podcast to plant some ideas, then let these ideas percolate, let my mind wander, and if I get to somewhere interesting and actionable, I take a note.
Same. I start with a book/podcast and if my mind likes it, I keep it on. But often my mind wanders (may it be a distraction or inspiration from whatever it is in my headphones) and I'll go ahead and operate sans audio.
Re: How to Walk (12 miles a day)
#108After walking to and from work for 5 years along the same route, I found that I prefer walking without listening to anything on headphones. Just thinking increases awareness of my surroundings, allows me time to process existing thoughts as opposed to consuming more inputs, and connects me to the people I would inevitably see on a semi-regular basis. Personally, I have found that 1 hour + is a good threshold to aim f…
When I lived in NYC, my commute was about 45 minutes. As much as everyone hates long commutes, I found that to be a very ideal amount of time to decompress from work. It's different when you don't have to drive; standing or sitting on a train is much more relaxing.
Re: How to Walk (12 miles a day)
#109After walking to and from work for 5 years along the same route, I found that I prefer walking without listening to anything on headphones. Just thinking increases awareness of my surroundings, allows me time to process existing thoughts as opposed to consuming more inputs, and connects me to the people I would inevitably see on a semi-regular basis. Personally, I have found that 1 hour + is a good threshold to aim f…
I do 2 hours of activity per day (cycling, walking, swimming, etc). More in a summer. Since in winter it is more or less routine I just work when I do it. Usually solve some design / programming / planning task which I will implement later when at my desk. Over many years it has become a habit. Sometimes when I come back home for a walk I can't remember a thing about outside because my legs were doing on work and the brain was busy with the other.
Re: How to Walk (12 miles a day)
#110Great article hashing out the details of implementing regular long walks as a habit. However, it would be cool if there was a way to get paid for walking. That would motivate a lot more people, even if it is minimal pay. Walk-to-earn crypto game anyone?
What service does you walking generate for others that they should pay you to do it? As a daily walker, I have to say it is its own reward.
agree that walking is a reward in itself. I should have phrased it as - "more people would walk more if they were rewarded more tangibly". Friendly competition might incentivize more people to walk. Just some thoughts since the article is trying to encourage more people to walk.