9 ms·

Benefits of Walking

225 points by KlimYadrintsev 6y ago

randcraw 6y ago
One more benefit of walking in the age of covid: It's one of the few ways to visit with a friend safely. Socialization this winter is going to be tough. Walking outdoors with a friend may be the best way to share your life until Spring or vaccination, whichever comes first.
euthymiclabs 6y ago
I love this. I run (a little), but have never enjoyed it. I've never once experienced a "runner's high"--even when I ran 5-6x per week for years. I still do it a couple times a week because it's a quick way to get my heart beating, and I do feel better afterwards. Walking is different. It's almost always pleasant, and the feeling I get after a good walk is similar to the one I get after a run (though I usually have to walk about twice as far as I would have run.) During the walk, I experience a calm, meditative peace that I really enjoy. I don't even need to have headphones on to enjoy walking! If you find yourself in the position where you feel like you have to run to stay healthy, it might be worth mixing it up with walking. And if running is overwhelming, don't underestimate the benefits of a good walk. It's still the most underrated way to exercise.
- KlimYadrintsev 6y ago
  Yes, that is exactly what I tried to explain. You don't have to run in order to feel healthy. You can improve your wellbeing and focus by taking a quick walk. The benefits of it are too immense to ignore.
- bane 6y ago
  I hate hate hate running. I used to work out quite a bit but could never get into running and sought other cardio exercises - literally anything that wasn't running. Over time school, then work, then life simply got in the way and my exercise lapsed. Now in middle age I worked up a minor health issue and my doctor strongly encouraged me to start up on cardio again -- this coincided with both the start of COVID lockdowns and wasn't long after a move to an area with lots of trails nearby. So I started walking about an hour 3 times a week as weather permitted. Health condition went away, blood pressure dropped, mood improved, sleep improved. I also started enjoying the changing of the seasons more, enjoying nature, being outdoors and all that. I started feeling like eating crap wasn't "right" and started eating better. It's like an entire cascade of wellness. Not once have I gone for a walk and thought "I'd rather not be doing this" like with running. In fact I usually look forward to my walk and look for excuses to go on one. Turns out I should have just gone walking all the time instead.
  - troughway 6y ago
    Running isn’t the only way to get cardio in. Tabata/HIIT, while making you feel like you’re on the verge of dying, are wonderful and most important safe for your knee joints. Long distance running will wear your meniscus out. So for everyone here who says they don’t like to run - that’s fine, get on the stairmaster or pick up a kettlebell or medicine ball and do some swings and tosses and side movements. Running will seem like a walk in the park by comparison.
    - pjam 6y ago
      > Long distance running will wear your meniscus out. Is there any research to back that? Everything I’ve ready says that it is not a fatality and that it is possible to run, for many years (life?) without destroying your joints. It’s my understanding that your statement is as accurate as saying “driving a car will result in you getting in a car accident”. It’s extremely possible and it has happened to many people but it doesn’t mean it _has_ to happen
      - thotsBgone 6y ago
        "Driving a car will result in you getting in a car accident" is pretty accurate given that the average person will be in an accident.
      - projectileboy 6y ago
        A physical therapist once told me that the number of runners (that is, people who have done it regularly for years) who have non-trivial knee problems is in the neighborhood of 75%. Don’t know the source behind that, but it’s stuck with me. And the reason I was there was because of the knee problems I had from running.
      - vitro 6y ago
        I've seen a video where they recorded a runner running barefoot and in shoes. When running barefoot, you tend to step on a front of your foot and much less vibration go to your whole body this way. I've bought barefoot shoes myself and it is true that I tend to step more on a front part of the foot as well.
- dcolkitt 6y ago
  I disagree, running and walking are not really substitutes from a health standpoint. Walking has a lot of health benefits but they're largely orthogonal to traditional vigorous exercise. Modern research has identified that the major mediator of exercise's physiological benefits is the down-regulation of the adrenal axis.[1] In other words, activating the fight-or-flight sensation is a key component of an exercise program. It's also why very high-intensity exercise seems to produce the most rapid improvement in key biomarkers.[2] Many people don't like vigorous exercise because they feel like they're dying from the strain. However that painful stressful feeling is largely essential to the process. [1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3010733/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3010733/ [2] https://www.sciencealert.com/just-12-minutes-of-intense-exercise-is-enough-to-change-biomarkers-in-your-blood https://www.sciencealert.com/just-12-minutes-of-intense-exer...
  - faitswulff 6y ago
    From what I’ve read, they are interchangeable from a longevity perspective, rapid improvement aside.
  - qz2 6y ago
    Interesting. For a long time I did indeed feel like I was dying when I started running. Now I feel edgy and anxious if I don’t get to run for a few days. We are built to run. Incidentally running 30 minutes twice a week has been the best thing I ever did for my health. I feel better now than I did in my 20s and that was over 20 years ago!
  - graeme 6y ago
    Small quibble: there are people who hate jogging, but love fast exercise. I hate hate hate jogging, but loved sprinting, HIIT, and all manner of sports involving quick movements plus slower times. Not clear which group the people in this thread belong to, but jogging does seem to polarize.
- 01100011 6y ago
  I loved running when my weight bottomed out(168 for a 5'10" frame). As a former fat kid who never ran a mile and always found a health reason to escape PE class it was amazing. It didn't last long though. I met my wife and started gaining weight, and soon I was back to where running hurt like hell. Now I hike, and I love that. I don't think I'll ever lose enough muscle and fat to get down to where running feels good again.
- nicbou 6y ago
  If that doesn't work, try riding a bicycle. You can adjust the pace depending on how you feel, and see a lot more than you would on a regular walk. If you pack a lunch, you can go pretty far, relax in a nice place, and head back.
  - biswaroop 6y ago
    Warning though: this requires amazing bike infrastructure. In most places in the US, cycling on the road can be an extremely stressful experience.
    - ekianjo 6y ago
      And dangerous, too.
    - missedthecue 6y ago
      You can use a stationary bike
    - nicbou 6y ago
      Yes, we are truly spoiled here in Germany
    - tjmaglio 6y ago
      Same for walking- in many towns there is no sidewalk which forces anyone walking onto the gutter. For bike trails, there is an effort to connect Maine to Florida called the East Coast Greenway: https://www.greenway.org/ https://www.greenway.org/ Having used it myself, it's not continuous but certainly better than nothing.
    - ajuc 6y ago
      How's biking in US outside of big cities? Cause it's the best place to bike in my country (Poland). You just leave the city and turn to any random small road and you can relax. My favorite are the farming land near Lublin. 30 minutes from the city center there are roads where you pass 1 car per hour :) https://live.staticflickr.com/7264/6999476374_94c82f49dc_o.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/7264/6999476374_94c82f49dc_o.j...
- joegahona 6y ago
  > I love this. I run (a little), but have never enjoyed it. I've never once experienced a "runner's high"--even when I ran 5-6x per week for years. I still do it a couple times a week because it's a quick way to get my heart beating, and I do feel better afterwards. I think that "feeling better afterwards" _is_ runner's high.
  - lloeki 6y ago
    Runner’s high is the point where the person running enters a particular state of flow, a sense of release and euphoria where the mind can perceive the entire body as well as each part of it moving with ease and feels whole. It’s part like sex, part just the right amount of drunk (except minus the delusion), part some kind of meditation, sometimes kind of climatic even. I’d argue that when going for a run at some point it feels like the effort becomes paradoxically effortless and you’re in the “now”, then that’s it. The “feeling better afterwards” is more like aftershock. (BTW although Info experience the high, I don’t like running, but I do it because there’s such a quick bang for the buck in terms of cardio training, and it’s basically “no excuses” frictionless: dress up, shoes on, go)
  - gherkinnn 6y ago
    I find “feeling better afterwards” to be utterly distinct from “runners high”. “Feeling better” is a given after most training sessions, and I use it as a marker for not being overtrained. However, there is no way for me to force the “high”. I can facilitate it, maybe. But it mainly comes and goes at it pleases. It may be a fleeting moment or it can last for literal days. It is like flying. There is no pain - no discomfort at all. The mind disassociates from the body. I am Hermes in his winged sandals. I am God.
- slothtrop 6y ago
  One way to split the difference: rucking. It's just walking while carrying extra weight. Gives you a harder cardiovascular workout that isn't as taxing as running, more along the lines of hiking depending on the weight. I guess biking is another way.
  - JohnCohorn 6y ago
    I do a form of rucking and highly recommend it. I don’t think traditional rucking gear is optimal though. The backpack format puts more strain on your back and most rucking forums and such I’ve seen recommend only like 30lbs. The most amazing piece of fitness equipment I have is a 36lb belt which puts no weight on your back and doesn’t hold in heat like a vest. I’ve since had to add a 45lb vest to it, but the vest should at least put less torque on your back than a backpack.
    - CodeGlitch 6y ago
      Thanks for introducing me to rucking. I've recently taken up jogging at the age of 40 but it's having a negative affect on my hip and knees. Rucking sounds like something I could really get into.
    - slothtrop 6y ago
      I had not considered that about the backpack. I'll look into a belt option.
  - tasuki 6y ago
    Rucking? I call it going grocery shopping...
- SZJX 6y ago
  > I don't even need to have headphones on to enjoy walking! I think people like Cal Newport actually proposed taking long walks without listening to anything, and I find this idea reasonable. After 15 to 20 minutes my mind settles into a state of being able to come up with ideas and deep reflections that would usually not be possible when I’m simply sitting indoors being distracted by some digital device.
- schwartzworld 6y ago
  In my experience the runners high kicks in around mile 5 or 6, and only if you are fit enough to keep going after that. I've never experienced it on a shorter run.
NothingIsReal 6y ago
> Improving self esteem by 45%. > Improving mood by 54%. > the research has shown How uncannilly mordant -- that one needs statistics and scientific studies to know how to be human. I hope the history of academia's roots don't escape anyone; we've traded one omnipotent figurehead for another. Apologies, author. I know you had to pump this up so Google et al. would even consider indexing this piece at any useful level -- or that anyone would read or discuss a piece with just: > Put any shoes that you have on. Put any clothes that you have on. Just simply, walk outside and move one leg after another. > The motion is simple. The results are profound. In the body. I'm imaging a Twitter; where instead of writing out meaningless twaddle, there are pithy and brief "learnings" -- like fortune cookies for the soul. Life would be simpler, if we condensed it all down to only the most basic principles.
Fifer82 6y ago
Does anyone at HN have pain from their job? Sitting? Even with expensive chairs, and standing desks? I have been running 5-7km twice per week since May and I loved how it made me feel, but then comes the pain... lower back... hip flexors... hamstring tightness... Not from my runs but from my job. This just really drags me down. I have been off the runs for 2 weeks as my hip hurts mid way through my run and this leads to breaking my new found enjoyment and after a few weeks, I will be lazy as I break my routine. The only thing that would help would be a seat that is like sitting inside a cylinder that rotates from 0-45 degrees on a second by second basis throughout the working day so that no part of the body is strained. Desks and computers don't work for me and I really worry about a day where I cannot stand due to pain or sit due to pain which naturally effects my output. I am 38 and feel like no one else is suffering these problems.
- s5300 6y ago
  Oh man. Do not mean to sound rude & wish I could type out more right now, buy plenty suffering from these problems haha. Some from their tweens, ruining their careers before they've even begun with things like Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, Pelvic Floor Dysfunction... Misery is very, very much out there. Loves company as well. Having a few million dollars would only fix 1/3 of my problems I suppose. Money would definitely put me on the right path to being able to possibly get better, but some medical conditions you get for no damn reason are hard to manage with even the best of the doctors within the U.S., and some people with said medical problems don't even have parents who give the slightest fuck about them. Cruel world sometimes, fairly easy to insulate from if you're healthy in the first world tho...
- voisin 6y ago
  This was me. Tons of issues as soon as I got into running, leading to a multi-year hiatus before I would end up repeating the process. I decided to break the habit. I did yoga daily for the last year 20-30 min to stretch and strengthen muscles that were weak, using primarily Yoga with Adrienne or Sara Beth Yoga on YouTube. Then I started running slowly - as in following the MAF180 protocol and going real slow while keeping my heart rate in the aerobic zone. Result? I am now doing 40-50km per week with no pain, and I’ve done three half marathons and working to a marathon in the spring. I am convinced most people have issues because they have muscle imbalances (yoga helps) and they go out at too fast of a pace.
KMag 6y ago
Do any of you have any advice on staying healthy and avoiding any long-term harm from short periods of very low mobility? My wife and I face 6 months of jail time if we step out of our 8 sq. m / 86 sq. ft hotel room even once in 13 days' quarantine. (All travellers are quarantined. We've both had negative PCR tests before flying and negative IgM tests upon arrival, with another IgM test scheduled for this Wednesday. The 1st night of 14 was spent in another hotel, provided by the government.) We're in our early 40s and pretty healthy, walking at least 5 km every day in November, often more than 10 km. The first 8 days of our 14 day travel quarantine have gone mostly fine, but I've noticed my muscle mass dropping rapidly, despite some isometric exercises and bodyweight squats in the shower. There's about 2 feet between the foot of the bed and the wall, and 2 feet between the left side of the bed and the wall. Some of that space is taken by our luggage from spending all of November abroad. We've put as much as we can under the bed. We have no chairs in here. There's a writing surface attached to the wall at the foot of the bed that my wife uses for her laptop while working remotely. I work remotely while lying down on the bed, since my wife gets back problems much more easily than I do. I'm aware of cardiovascular and gallstone risk from immobility and rapid fat loss. We thankfully brought 90 days' worth of multivitamins with us on our 30-day trip. (The government changed quarantine policy while we were away. We planned for this possibility, or the possibility of being stranded abroad for a few months, but were hoping to be able to spend our 14 days of quarantine at home. We're glad we planned ahead.)
- js2 6y ago
  Is there room to do burpees? It is the most effective all-around exercise I know to do in a small space. https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-do-a-burpee https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-do-a-burpee
  - KMag 6y ago
    Edit: I just realized that not everyone does jumping burpees. If I cut out the jump and am careful to not flare my elbows, it might work. I'll give it a try after my wife wakes up. I like burpees, but the ceiling is barely taller than a standard door frame. Also, I think it would be very careful to come down and not flare my elbows wider than 2 feet. The bathroom is so small that they use a mini square sink, maybe 10 inch diagonal. Maybe I could kick my feet out of the shower and next to the toilet, but that still wouldn't solve the ceiling height issue, and I'd probably eventually injure myself by accidentally kicking the toilet. On a side note, I have a buddy who was using burpees for Tabata training in his kitchen. His wife complained about the sweat on the floor, so he did them on a towel. He stopped doing Tabata when his towel slipped and he hit his chin hard on the tile.
disposedtrolley 6y ago
I absolutely love walking. Two walks a day (typically a long ~45 minute one after breakfast, and a shorter ~20 minute walk after lunch) are non-negotiable activities. I feel _so_ much better after a walk; I have better concentration and increased motivation to tackle difficult problems. Even if I'm having a particularly busy day or with a deadline coming up, I'd rather sacrifice some personal time after hours than my walks.
foobarbazetc 6y ago
I run (20 minutes to get to 170bpm) + walk (40-60 minutes pretty fast) 7 miles along the Embarcadero every day and it’s the only thing that’s kept me sane during Covid. Definitely recommend an Apple Watch to keep track of your metrics.
spodek 6y ago
I recommend picking up litter while you walk (or run, aka plogging). I recently passed my 1,300th day in a row picking up at least one piece of litter per day. Since the pandemic, more like 20 or 30 since there's so much more litter. You'll be surprised at how much you learn about your world and community. The goal isn't to fix the world as only one person, but to raise awareness and humility. Lots more. I ended up on TV a couple times for it https://joshuaspodek.com/im-on-tv-again-for-plogging https://joshuaspodek.com/im-on-tv-again-for-plogging and approached by politicians. I don't use gloves, but you can. In Manhattan I carry it to the next wastebasket I pass, but you could also bring a bag.
- FlashBlaze 6y ago
  Before the pandemic, did the quantity of litter decrease over time? I mean not drastically but subtle enough to notice?
  - spodek 6y ago
    I've only seen it increase. If you haven't seen the movie The Story of Plastic, I recommend it. Eventbrite lists free screenings all the time, which is how I saw it: https://www.eventbrite.com/d/online/story-of-plastic https://www.eventbrite.com/d/online/story-of-plastic and eventually hosted my own screening. Here's the video of the panel discussion following the screening, featuring some important panelists: https://joshuaspodek.com/the-story-of-plastic-panel-video https://joshuaspodek.com/the-story-of-plastic-panel-video, all surprised by how much more plastic we create than they expect. To your point, it also documents that we're increasing virgin plastic production, to say nothing of all other sorts of litter and waste.
- KlimYadrintsev 6y ago
  What a great idea! Thanks!
  - spodek 6y ago
    Any time. I'd love to hear your experience. I'm just back from my neighborhood's weekly cleanup.
RickJWagner 6y ago
I totally agree. I walk 5 miles a day, usually 6 days a week. It helps me in many of the ways described in the article. For me, a big catalyst was the acquisition of a Fitbit. Having an easy way to count the steps is a big help.
microtherion 6y ago
Something I was missing on that page was that walking can also be used to get from point A to point B... In the last couple of years, one of the ways in which I've been trying to get extra exercise is to take a bit of extra time and perform errands partially or entirely on foot instead of relying on public transportation or driving. I generally try to do all my trips shorter than 2 miles or so on foot.
the_only_law 6y ago
I used to walk a ton when I lived somewhere with nice walking trails and it was close enough to enough things (i.e work). I used to go to one of the parks in the early evening when it was cooling down and not as many people. I twas conveniently located right outside downtown separated by a river. I used to spend hours just thinking and would come back up after dark walk into town and grab me something to eat. Sadly now, I live somewhere with an even worse climate than before and the only parks remotely to me are a bit out of the way and close extremely early, so I don't get out as much anymore.
eyelidlessness 6y ago
> # Get a pet (dog) > Even though it can seem like a lousy idea[...] Huh
- eyelidlessness 6y ago
  In more seriousness, I have a puppy about 18 months old. We walk 2-3 miles a day minimum, in the worst weather. She's a terror, wants to eat everything in sight. She's a lot to manage. I didn't walk nearly this much daily without places to be before (though had no problem walking plenty when I did have places to be). I wouldn't trade it for anything. Even with the complications of raising a naughty deranged wolf variant.
willswire 6y ago
Great article. I was recently conversing with a friend-of-a-friend who happened to be a personal trainer. He shared with me something I thought rather simple but profound: “you don’t have to workout every day, but you should move every day”. I feel that walking is one of the best ways to accomplish this goal.
JohnCohorn 6y ago
I loathe running and also still can’t manage it, but I’ve walked a tremendous amount in the past year and it’s helped my health tremendously, so I highly recommend it. In the beginning a normal walking speed would get my heart rate up, but after a while I couldn’t get my heart rate above the 90s no matter how fast I walked. So my solution was to first add a 36lb belt, which does not put weight on your back or hold in heat. Eventually I had to add a 45lb weighted vest and sometimes 20lb ankle weights on top. Even with all that it takes much less of a toll and is much easier to recover from than running. And I can still get my heart rate up to the 140s without having to run.
pan69 6y ago
I love walking. To me walking is like sleeping in that, it allows my mind to wonder while I walk. I churn to all sorts of problems I might have faced and will be facing in the coming week(s). I used to run in my 20's but I busted my knees. Now, every Sunday I walk ~15km. It takes me about 3 hours. I live in Sydney so it's hilly and the weather is nice (most of the time).
rank0 6y ago
Are we comparing the "walkers" to people that do no exercise at all? Of course walking is going to be better than a sedentary lifestyle. I'd like to know if going on walks has any benefits for people who already work out regularly.
- tasuki 6y ago
  Yes, this looks like an article for people who never move at all.
mekster 6y ago
I wrecked my back this year for always working from home for the past 10 years and only got out when I needed to. I couldn't sit for a few minutes anymore without pain and all I could do was stand, sleep or walk (luckily this still kept me going by working on the bed) and since I was too lazy to go to gym or just walk to a nearby park routinely, I decided to force myself to walk by renting a small office at < 30min distance and put my work gear over there, so I had to go to work and come back to sleep. Back has since been doing good and will keep this habit as I hate to work like a worm again.
- stevesearer 6y ago
  I also rent a small office about a mile from my home and walked both to and from work most days for just over 5 years. In addition to logging ~2500 miles, I found it easier to disengage from work and prepare myself to engage in family time which both take a different mentality.
- ycombinete 6y ago
  Almost the exact same story for me. Working from home for many years, with increasing sedentary discomfort. Daily walks have solved almost all aches and pains.
mikesabbagh 6y ago
I never enjoyed running as you cant think while running or for few hours after. Walking is my way to detach. I now picked a weird habit of walking at home, inside a room or from room to room. It helps me think and a great break between tasks. My step tracker counts about 6000 steps. So is walking good for me? It definitely is great for my mind. Is it also good for my body, I am sure it is better than doing 12 hrs straight in front of a screen. But I am also sure only running can improve my endurance and decrease my resting heart rate
- nasmorn 6y ago
  I guess you mean you can’t think when running. When I run at lactate threshold it is true but if it is relaxed and aerobic I can sure think.
dukeofdoom 6y ago
I like walking, but Rollerblading is where its at. Less strenuous, but faster. Can be easy, or like a mental puzzle if you do street skating in the city. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_iyYZwG1IE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_iyYZwG1IE A week ago, I actually helped out a guy that went for a run half a year after a heart attack. Was not good idea, almost had another. Called the ambulance for him. Some people are addicted to running. If he switched to rollerblading, probably would have been okay. Kayaking is also awesome. More people should try it.
mleonhard 6y ago
I walked 3 miles a day, about 1,000 miles a year, before the pandemic. For me, two things are important for walking: 1. Environment - I need a quiet & safe path. You can find this in most cities with enough trial & error. Try different streets at different times. You will eventually find a way to walk wherever you want, whenever you want, without much traffic noise or street-crossing risk. 2. Equipment - Great shoes, better socks, water, and protection from wind, sun, cold, and rain. Here's what works for me: - Darn Tough Hiker Boot Sock Full Cushion, https://darntough.com/collections/mens-hike-trek/products/boot-sock-full-cushion-1 https://darntough.com/collections/mens-hike-trek/products/bo... . You can get 6-packs on Amazon for $20/pair. My pairs last me about 750 miles, far longer than all the other socks I've tried. - Columbia Men’s Newton Ridge Plus II Waterproof Hiking Boot - Wide, https://www.columbia.com/p/mens-newton-ridge-wide-1594732.html https://www.columbia.com/p/mens-newton-ridge-wide-1594732.ht... . This is a waterproof sneaker with ankle protection and grippy tread. The shoes are flat on the inside, great for walking not running. I've gone through six pairs. They last me about 750 miles each. I went most of my life wearing shoes that were too narrow. Walking suddenly became comfortable when I got wide enough shoes. - Thermos Intak 24 bottle, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002VJX4C4 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002VJX4C4 . I own 8 of these, grab a clean one each day, and wash them in the dishwasher. You can remove the ring seal with a fork. You can order replacement parts from Thermos customer service. - Tortuga Outbreaker Daypack, https://www.tortugabackpacks.com/products/outbreaker-travel-daypack https://www.tortugabackpacks.com/products/outbreaker-travel-... . The side mesh pockets are perfect. - Tilley LTM6 Airflow hat, https://www.tilley.com/us_en/ltm6-airflo-hat.html https://www.tilley.com/us_en/ltm6-airflo-hat.html . Super durable, floats, non-adsorbent, ventilated, lightweight. I've crammed this in my backpack nearly every day for 3 years and it still looks nice. Walking takes time, so you will get more UV exposure. Protect your skin to avoid looking old. - Patagonia Torrentshell rain jacket. It's light weight. It blocks the wind and rain. It rolls up to a small package. Mine is wearing out after 3 years. It fits well in an Eagle Creek Pack-It Spectre "Sac" medium. Get a bright color to reduce evening street-crossing risk. - Uniqlo merino sweaters. Soft, warm, light weight, don't pill, and last forever. I wash mine in a front-loading washer, on the delicate warm cycle, with standard detergent, and hang them up to dry. I own 4. The oldest has been worn about 100 times, washed about 10 times, and still looks great. - Cheap synthetic beanie hat. This can warm you as much as a sweater. Buy a bunch so you always have a clean one, and have extras for friends. Happy walking! :)
koonsolo 6y ago
I'm 40 and most of my time is spent sitting in front of a computer. I try to be healthy, but read somewhere that sitting for long periods is about the same as smoking. So after seeing Wolfram walking on a treadmill while working on the computer, it convinced me to do the same. I have a ikea standing desk, and a movable walk pad underneath. I try to walk about 30 to 60 min a day. It actually works really great. You can still read properly while walking, and if you can rest your wrists, typing and mouse are no problem. Highly recommended!
sheepz 6y ago
To people who hate running, run slower! Most people who hate running are conditioned to go way too fast. Once you build up a base, then you can speed things up. There is little enjoyment if you are constantly struggling. A smartwatch can give you a pretty good idea of how difficult a run is based on your pulse.
burntoutfire 6y ago
Walking is one of the best things in my life. It's very centering: - it unglues me from devices (I don't listen to anything during most of my walks) - it makes me open to sensual details of the world (such as: frozen dew on grass makes nice crunchy sound when walked on) - it makes me explore and connect to my surrounding area - it makes me feel good after I've finished the walk (nothing like coming back home after a nice walk outside). Sometimes I feel like I'm too tired to go for a walk in the evening, but it's just "brain fog" from all day of sitting and thinking and being stressed in job. If I force myself to go out, usually I feel ok after 10-15 minutes of walking and can easily walk for 1-3 hours feeling energized rather that tired. For reference, my daily average walking distance over past 2 years is 5 kilometers.
serf 6y ago
I used to walk 5 to 10 miles a day, every single night, to clear my head and think about things. One night, on a drinking holiday, I was ran over from the back (while on the sidewalk/side of street, mind you) while on my nightly walk, and crippled permanently by a hit-and-run driver that was never found. (C5 level non-complete quadriplegia) I miss my walks immensely. They used to put my mind at ease like nothing I have found since. No point in this comment other than to express my envy towards those can enjoy such a hobby still , and to express a bit of loneliness and hard-to-reconcile personal emotions when told the benefits of walking. I know, already! I wish I could! I was very fit my entire life through very little additional effort other than nightly walks & some lucky genetics -- although unfortunately those hobbies landed me into a net-negative position -- I suggest the hobby to anyone that has a few minutes to spare a day. I hope that pedestrian safety and road design continues to improve.
- elvis70 6y ago
  Receive all my compassion. And I was complaining of a sprain depriving me of long walks for a few weeks. I started walking at a rhythm of 5 hours a week minimum three years ago. And I must say, without exaggeration, that I am a different man now. I haven't been sick for 2.5 years; I feel that my immune system is stronger now. Before that, I used to get sick, angina or whatever, twice a year. Also, my legs have become more muscular and my face has become thinner, which makes me look more attractive. I'm 18 again ;-)
- tobib 6y ago
  Thanks for sharing and for the lack of a better way to express what I'm feeling, sorry for your loss.
- tuxguy 6y ago
  so sorry to hear that ! hope medical science advances that one day you can walk(& maybe even run) again ! sending you lots of love !
kerng 6y ago
I walked over 1000 miles already in 2020. I mean dedicated walking miles, not regular movement. I only discovered the joy of long walks this year. I used to drive to mountains for a hike on weekends, but now I just go out the house for a walk after lunch sometimes 1, sometimes up to 3 hours ever day if schedule permits. I might have never felt as healthy, even though I'm also a long distance runner and exercise regularly.
eimrine 6y ago
This is great article except of advice to wear mask. Even while covid time your mask will protect nobody. Future generations even will not have an ability to understand the connection between walking half a marathone and wearing something that makes breathing tough.
raztogt21 6y ago
I'd consider myself super active, can do up two hours of intensive exercise without feeling soreness the next day. The last three months I started walking 4km each day at a pace of 12 minutes per kilometer. Mentally it is game changing. I began remembering childhood memories, came up with new ideas, start connecting dots of what I've listened and read, and noticed a huge boost on my mood. I look forward each day for my afternoon walk.
vram22 6y ago
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=24860432 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=24860432

One more benefit of walking in the age of covid: It's one of the few ways to visit with a friend safely. Socialization this winter is going to be tough. Walking outdoors with a friend may be the best way to share your life until Spring or vaccination, whichever comes first.

euthymiclabs 6y ago

I love this. I run (a little), but have never enjoyed it. I've never once experienced a "runner's high"--even when I ran 5-6x per week for years. I still do it a couple times a week because it's a quick way to get my heart beating, and I do feel better afterwards. Walking is different. It's almost always pleasant, and the feeling I get after a good walk is similar to the one I get after a run (though I usually have to walk about twice as far as I would have run.) During the walk, I experience a calm, meditative peace that I really enjoy. I don't even need to have headphones on to enjoy walking! If you find yourself in the position where you feel like you have to run to stay healthy, it might be worth mixing it up with walking. And if running is overwhelming, don't underestimate the benefits of a good walk. It's still the most underrated way to exercise.

KlimYadrintsev 6y ago
Yes, that is exactly what I tried to explain. You don't have to run in order to feel healthy. You can improve your wellbeing and focus by taking a quick walk. The benefits of it are too immense to ignore.
bane 6y ago
I hate hate hate running. I used to work out quite a bit but could never get into running and sought other cardio exercises - literally anything that wasn't running. Over time school, then work, then life simply got in the way and my exercise lapsed. Now in middle age I worked up a minor health issue and my doctor strongly encouraged me to start up on cardio again -- this coincided with both the start of COVID lockdowns and wasn't long after a move to an area with lots of trails nearby. So I started walking about an hour 3 times a week as weather permitted. Health condition went away, blood pressure dropped, mood improved, sleep improved. I also started enjoying the changing of the seasons more, enjoying nature, being outdoors and all that. I started feeling like eating crap wasn't "right" and started eating better. It's like an entire cascade of wellness. Not once have I gone for a walk and thought "I'd rather not be doing this" like with running. In fact I usually look forward to my walk and look for excuses to go on one. Turns out I should have just gone walking all the time instead.
- troughway 6y ago
  Running isn’t the only way to get cardio in. Tabata/HIIT, while making you feel like you’re on the verge of dying, are wonderful and most important safe for your knee joints. Long distance running will wear your meniscus out. So for everyone here who says they don’t like to run - that’s fine, get on the stairmaster or pick up a kettlebell or medicine ball and do some swings and tosses and side movements. Running will seem like a walk in the park by comparison.
  - pjam 6y ago
    > Long distance running will wear your meniscus out. Is there any research to back that? Everything I’ve ready says that it is not a fatality and that it is possible to run, for many years (life?) without destroying your joints. It’s my understanding that your statement is as accurate as saying “driving a car will result in you getting in a car accident”. It’s extremely possible and it has happened to many people but it doesn’t mean it _has_ to happen
    - thotsBgone 6y ago
      "Driving a car will result in you getting in a car accident" is pretty accurate given that the average person will be in an accident.
    - projectileboy 6y ago
      A physical therapist once told me that the number of runners (that is, people who have done it regularly for years) who have non-trivial knee problems is in the neighborhood of 75%. Don’t know the source behind that, but it’s stuck with me. And the reason I was there was because of the knee problems I had from running.
    - vitro 6y ago
      I've seen a video where they recorded a runner running barefoot and in shoes. When running barefoot, you tend to step on a front of your foot and much less vibration go to your whole body this way. I've bought barefoot shoes myself and it is true that I tend to step more on a front part of the foot as well.
dcolkitt 6y ago
I disagree, running and walking are not really substitutes from a health standpoint. Walking has a lot of health benefits but they're largely orthogonal to traditional vigorous exercise. Modern research has identified that the major mediator of exercise's physiological benefits is the down-regulation of the adrenal axis.[1] In other words, activating the fight-or-flight sensation is a key component of an exercise program. It's also why very high-intensity exercise seems to produce the most rapid improvement in key biomarkers.[2] Many people don't like vigorous exercise because they feel like they're dying from the strain. However that painful stressful feeling is largely essential to the process. [1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3010733/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3010733/ [2] https://www.sciencealert.com/just-12-minutes-of-intense-exercise-is-enough-to-change-biomarkers-in-your-blood https://www.sciencealert.com/just-12-minutes-of-intense-exer...
- faitswulff 6y ago
  From what I’ve read, they are interchangeable from a longevity perspective, rapid improvement aside.
- qz2 6y ago
  Interesting. For a long time I did indeed feel like I was dying when I started running. Now I feel edgy and anxious if I don’t get to run for a few days. We are built to run. Incidentally running 30 minutes twice a week has been the best thing I ever did for my health. I feel better now than I did in my 20s and that was over 20 years ago!
- graeme 6y ago
  Small quibble: there are people who hate jogging, but love fast exercise. I hate hate hate jogging, but loved sprinting, HIIT, and all manner of sports involving quick movements plus slower times. Not clear which group the people in this thread belong to, but jogging does seem to polarize.
01100011 6y ago
I loved running when my weight bottomed out(168 for a 5'10" frame). As a former fat kid who never ran a mile and always found a health reason to escape PE class it was amazing. It didn't last long though. I met my wife and started gaining weight, and soon I was back to where running hurt like hell. Now I hike, and I love that. I don't think I'll ever lose enough muscle and fat to get down to where running feels good again.
nicbou 6y ago
If that doesn't work, try riding a bicycle. You can adjust the pace depending on how you feel, and see a lot more than you would on a regular walk. If you pack a lunch, you can go pretty far, relax in a nice place, and head back.
- biswaroop 6y ago
  Warning though: this requires amazing bike infrastructure. In most places in the US, cycling on the road can be an extremely stressful experience.
  - ekianjo 6y ago
    And dangerous, too.
  - missedthecue 6y ago
    You can use a stationary bike
  - nicbou 6y ago
    Yes, we are truly spoiled here in Germany
  - tjmaglio 6y ago
    Same for walking- in many towns there is no sidewalk which forces anyone walking onto the gutter. For bike trails, there is an effort to connect Maine to Florida called the East Coast Greenway: https://www.greenway.org/ https://www.greenway.org/ Having used it myself, it's not continuous but certainly better than nothing.
  - ajuc 6y ago
    How's biking in US outside of big cities? Cause it's the best place to bike in my country (Poland). You just leave the city and turn to any random small road and you can relax. My favorite are the farming land near Lublin. 30 minutes from the city center there are roads where you pass 1 car per hour :) https://live.staticflickr.com/7264/6999476374_94c82f49dc_o.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/7264/6999476374_94c82f49dc_o.j...
joegahona 6y ago
> I love this. I run (a little), but have never enjoyed it. I've never once experienced a "runner's high"--even when I ran 5-6x per week for years. I still do it a couple times a week because it's a quick way to get my heart beating, and I do feel better afterwards. I think that "feeling better afterwards" _is_ runner's high.
- lloeki 6y ago
  Runner’s high is the point where the person running enters a particular state of flow, a sense of release and euphoria where the mind can perceive the entire body as well as each part of it moving with ease and feels whole. It’s part like sex, part just the right amount of drunk (except minus the delusion), part some kind of meditation, sometimes kind of climatic even. I’d argue that when going for a run at some point it feels like the effort becomes paradoxically effortless and you’re in the “now”, then that’s it. The “feeling better afterwards” is more like aftershock. (BTW although Info experience the high, I don’t like running, but I do it because there’s such a quick bang for the buck in terms of cardio training, and it’s basically “no excuses” frictionless: dress up, shoes on, go)
- gherkinnn 6y ago
  I find “feeling better afterwards” to be utterly distinct from “runners high”. “Feeling better” is a given after most training sessions, and I use it as a marker for not being overtrained. However, there is no way for me to force the “high”. I can facilitate it, maybe. But it mainly comes and goes at it pleases. It may be a fleeting moment or it can last for literal days. It is like flying. There is no pain - no discomfort at all. The mind disassociates from the body. I am Hermes in his winged sandals. I am God.
slothtrop 6y ago
One way to split the difference: rucking. It's just walking while carrying extra weight. Gives you a harder cardiovascular workout that isn't as taxing as running, more along the lines of hiking depending on the weight. I guess biking is another way.
- JohnCohorn 6y ago
  I do a form of rucking and highly recommend it. I don’t think traditional rucking gear is optimal though. The backpack format puts more strain on your back and most rucking forums and such I’ve seen recommend only like 30lbs. The most amazing piece of fitness equipment I have is a 36lb belt which puts no weight on your back and doesn’t hold in heat like a vest. I’ve since had to add a 45lb vest to it, but the vest should at least put less torque on your back than a backpack.
  - CodeGlitch 6y ago
    Thanks for introducing me to rucking. I've recently taken up jogging at the age of 40 but it's having a negative affect on my hip and knees. Rucking sounds like something I could really get into.
  - slothtrop 6y ago
    I had not considered that about the backpack. I'll look into a belt option.
- tasuki 6y ago
  Rucking? I call it going grocery shopping...
SZJX 6y ago
> I don't even need to have headphones on to enjoy walking! I think people like Cal Newport actually proposed taking long walks without listening to anything, and I find this idea reasonable. After 15 to 20 minutes my mind settles into a state of being able to come up with ideas and deep reflections that would usually not be possible when I’m simply sitting indoors being distracted by some digital device.
schwartzworld 6y ago
In my experience the runners high kicks in around mile 5 or 6, and only if you are fit enough to keep going after that. I've never experienced it on a shorter run.

NothingIsReal 6y ago

> Improving self esteem by 45%. > Improving mood by 54%. > the research has shown How uncannilly mordant -- that one needs statistics and scientific studies to know how to be human. I hope the history of academia's roots don't escape anyone; we've traded one omnipotent figurehead for another. Apologies, author. I know you had to pump this up so Google et al. would even consider indexing this piece at any useful level -- or that anyone would read or discuss a piece with just: > Put any shoes that you have on. Put any clothes that you have on. Just simply, walk outside and move one leg after another. > The motion is simple. The results are profound. In the body. I'm imaging a Twitter; where instead of writing out meaningless twaddle, there are pithy and brief "learnings" -- like fortune cookies for the soul. Life would be simpler, if we condensed it all down to only the most basic principles.

Fifer82 6y ago

Does anyone at HN have pain from their job? Sitting? Even with expensive chairs, and standing desks? I have been running 5-7km twice per week since May and I loved how it made me feel, but then comes the pain... lower back... hip flexors... hamstring tightness... Not from my runs but from my job. This just really drags me down. I have been off the runs for 2 weeks as my hip hurts mid way through my run and this leads to breaking my new found enjoyment and after a few weeks, I will be lazy as I break my routine. The only thing that would help would be a seat that is like sitting inside a cylinder that rotates from 0-45 degrees on a second by second basis throughout the working day so that no part of the body is strained. Desks and computers don't work for me and I really worry about a day where I cannot stand due to pain or sit due to pain which naturally effects my output. I am 38 and feel like no one else is suffering these problems.

s5300 6y ago
Oh man. Do not mean to sound rude & wish I could type out more right now, buy plenty suffering from these problems haha. Some from their tweens, ruining their careers before they've even begun with things like Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, Pelvic Floor Dysfunction... Misery is very, very much out there. Loves company as well. Having a few million dollars would only fix 1/3 of my problems I suppose. Money would definitely put me on the right path to being able to possibly get better, but some medical conditions you get for no damn reason are hard to manage with even the best of the doctors within the U.S., and some people with said medical problems don't even have parents who give the slightest fuck about them. Cruel world sometimes, fairly easy to insulate from if you're healthy in the first world tho...
voisin 6y ago
This was me. Tons of issues as soon as I got into running, leading to a multi-year hiatus before I would end up repeating the process. I decided to break the habit. I did yoga daily for the last year 20-30 min to stretch and strengthen muscles that were weak, using primarily Yoga with Adrienne or Sara Beth Yoga on YouTube. Then I started running slowly - as in following the MAF180 protocol and going real slow while keeping my heart rate in the aerobic zone. Result? I am now doing 40-50km per week with no pain, and I’ve done three half marathons and working to a marathon in the spring. I am convinced most people have issues because they have muscle imbalances (yoga helps) and they go out at too fast of a pace.

KMag 6y ago

Do any of you have any advice on staying healthy and avoiding any long-term harm from short periods of very low mobility? My wife and I face 6 months of jail time if we step out of our 8 sq. m / 86 sq. ft hotel room even once in 13 days' quarantine. (All travellers are quarantined. We've both had negative PCR tests before flying and negative IgM tests upon arrival, with another IgM test scheduled for this Wednesday. The 1st night of 14 was spent in another hotel, provided by the government.) We're in our early 40s and pretty healthy, walking at least 5 km every day in November, often more than 10 km. The first 8 days of our 14 day travel quarantine have gone mostly fine, but I've noticed my muscle mass dropping rapidly, despite some isometric exercises and bodyweight squats in the shower. There's about 2 feet between the foot of the bed and the wall, and 2 feet between the left side of the bed and the wall. Some of that space is taken by our luggage from spending all of November abroad. We've put as much as we can under the bed. We have no chairs in here. There's a writing surface attached to the wall at the foot of the bed that my wife uses for her laptop while working remotely. I work remotely while lying down on the bed, since my wife gets back problems much more easily than I do. I'm aware of cardiovascular and gallstone risk from immobility and rapid fat loss. We thankfully brought 90 days' worth of multivitamins with us on our 30-day trip. (The government changed quarantine policy while we were away. We planned for this possibility, or the possibility of being stranded abroad for a few months, but were hoping to be able to spend our 14 days of quarantine at home. We're glad we planned ahead.)

js2 6y ago
Is there room to do burpees? It is the most effective all-around exercise I know to do in a small space. https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-do-a-burpee https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-do-a-burpee
- KMag 6y ago
  Edit: I just realized that not everyone does jumping burpees. If I cut out the jump and am careful to not flare my elbows, it might work. I'll give it a try after my wife wakes up. I like burpees, but the ceiling is barely taller than a standard door frame. Also, I think it would be very careful to come down and not flare my elbows wider than 2 feet. The bathroom is so small that they use a mini square sink, maybe 10 inch diagonal. Maybe I could kick my feet out of the shower and next to the toilet, but that still wouldn't solve the ceiling height issue, and I'd probably eventually injure myself by accidentally kicking the toilet. On a side note, I have a buddy who was using burpees for Tabata training in his kitchen. His wife complained about the sweat on the floor, so he did them on a towel. He stopped doing Tabata when his towel slipped and he hit his chin hard on the tile.

disposedtrolley 6y ago

I absolutely love walking. Two walks a day (typically a long ~45 minute one after breakfast, and a shorter ~20 minute walk after lunch) are non-negotiable activities. I feel _so_ much better after a walk; I have better concentration and increased motivation to tackle difficult problems. Even if I'm having a particularly busy day or with a deadline coming up, I'd rather sacrifice some personal time after hours than my walks.

foobarbazetc 6y ago

I run (20 minutes to get to 170bpm) + walk (40-60 minutes pretty fast) 7 miles along the Embarcadero every day and it’s the only thing that’s kept me sane during Covid. Definitely recommend an Apple Watch to keep track of your metrics.

spodek 6y ago

I recommend picking up litter while you walk (or run, aka plogging). I recently passed my 1,300th day in a row picking up at least one piece of litter per day. Since the pandemic, more like 20 or 30 since there's so much more litter. You'll be surprised at how much you learn about your world and community. The goal isn't to fix the world as only one person, but to raise awareness and humility. Lots more. I ended up on TV a couple times for it https://joshuaspodek.com/im-on-tv-again-for-plogging https://joshuaspodek.com/im-on-tv-again-for-plogging and approached by politicians. I don't use gloves, but you can. In Manhattan I carry it to the next wastebasket I pass, but you could also bring a bag.

FlashBlaze 6y ago
Before the pandemic, did the quantity of litter decrease over time? I mean not drastically but subtle enough to notice?
- spodek 6y ago
  I've only seen it increase. If you haven't seen the movie The Story of Plastic, I recommend it. Eventbrite lists free screenings all the time, which is how I saw it: https://www.eventbrite.com/d/online/story-of-plastic https://www.eventbrite.com/d/online/story-of-plastic and eventually hosted my own screening. Here's the video of the panel discussion following the screening, featuring some important panelists: https://joshuaspodek.com/the-story-of-plastic-panel-video https://joshuaspodek.com/the-story-of-plastic-panel-video, all surprised by how much more plastic we create than they expect. To your point, it also documents that we're increasing virgin plastic production, to say nothing of all other sorts of litter and waste.
KlimYadrintsev 6y ago
What a great idea! Thanks!
- spodek 6y ago
  Any time. I'd love to hear your experience. I'm just back from my neighborhood's weekly cleanup.

RickJWagner 6y ago

I totally agree. I walk 5 miles a day, usually 6 days a week. It helps me in many of the ways described in the article. For me, a big catalyst was the acquisition of a Fitbit. Having an easy way to count the steps is a big help.

microtherion 6y ago

Something I was missing on that page was that walking can also be used to get from point A to point B... In the last couple of years, one of the ways in which I've been trying to get extra exercise is to take a bit of extra time and perform errands partially or entirely on foot instead of relying on public transportation or driving. I generally try to do all my trips shorter than 2 miles or so on foot.

the_only_law 6y ago

I used to walk a ton when I lived somewhere with nice walking trails and it was close enough to enough things (i.e work). I used to go to one of the parks in the early evening when it was cooling down and not as many people. I twas conveniently located right outside downtown separated by a river. I used to spend hours just thinking and would come back up after dark walk into town and grab me something to eat. Sadly now, I live somewhere with an even worse climate than before and the only parks remotely to me are a bit out of the way and close extremely early, so I don't get out as much anymore.

eyelidlessness 6y ago

> # Get a pet (dog) > Even though it can seem like a lousy idea[...] Huh

eyelidlessness 6y ago
In more seriousness, I have a puppy about 18 months old. We walk 2-3 miles a day minimum, in the worst weather. She's a terror, wants to eat everything in sight. She's a lot to manage. I didn't walk nearly this much daily without places to be before (though had no problem walking plenty when I did have places to be). I wouldn't trade it for anything. Even with the complications of raising a naughty deranged wolf variant.

willswire 6y ago

Great article. I was recently conversing with a friend-of-a-friend who happened to be a personal trainer. He shared with me something I thought rather simple but profound: “you don’t have to workout every day, but you should move every day”. I feel that walking is one of the best ways to accomplish this goal.

JohnCohorn 6y ago

I loathe running and also still can’t manage it, but I’ve walked a tremendous amount in the past year and it’s helped my health tremendously, so I highly recommend it. In the beginning a normal walking speed would get my heart rate up, but after a while I couldn’t get my heart rate above the 90s no matter how fast I walked. So my solution was to first add a 36lb belt, which does not put weight on your back or hold in heat. Eventually I had to add a 45lb weighted vest and sometimes 20lb ankle weights on top. Even with all that it takes much less of a toll and is much easier to recover from than running. And I can still get my heart rate up to the 140s without having to run.

pan69 6y ago

I love walking. To me walking is like sleeping in that, it allows my mind to wonder while I walk. I churn to all sorts of problems I might have faced and will be facing in the coming week(s). I used to run in my 20's but I busted my knees. Now, every Sunday I walk ~15km. It takes me about 3 hours. I live in Sydney so it's hilly and the weather is nice (most of the time).

rank0 6y ago

Are we comparing the "walkers" to people that do no exercise at all? Of course walking is going to be better than a sedentary lifestyle. I'd like to know if going on walks has any benefits for people who already work out regularly.

tasuki 6y ago
Yes, this looks like an article for people who never move at all.

mekster 6y ago

I wrecked my back this year for always working from home for the past 10 years and only got out when I needed to. I couldn't sit for a few minutes anymore without pain and all I could do was stand, sleep or walk (luckily this still kept me going by working on the bed) and since I was too lazy to go to gym or just walk to a nearby park routinely, I decided to force myself to walk by renting a small office at < 30min distance and put my work gear over there, so I had to go to work and come back to sleep. Back has since been doing good and will keep this habit as I hate to work like a worm again.

stevesearer 6y ago
I also rent a small office about a mile from my home and walked both to and from work most days for just over 5 years. In addition to logging ~2500 miles, I found it easier to disengage from work and prepare myself to engage in family time which both take a different mentality.
ycombinete 6y ago
Almost the exact same story for me. Working from home for many years, with increasing sedentary discomfort. Daily walks have solved almost all aches and pains.

mikesabbagh 6y ago

I never enjoyed running as you cant think while running or for few hours after. Walking is my way to detach. I now picked a weird habit of walking at home, inside a room or from room to room. It helps me think and a great break between tasks. My step tracker counts about 6000 steps. So is walking good for me? It definitely is great for my mind. Is it also good for my body, I am sure it is better than doing 12 hrs straight in front of a screen. But I am also sure only running can improve my endurance and decrease my resting heart rate

nasmorn 6y ago
I guess you mean you can’t think when running. When I run at lactate threshold it is true but if it is relaxed and aerobic I can sure think.

dukeofdoom 6y ago

I like walking, but Rollerblading is where its at. Less strenuous, but faster. Can be easy, or like a mental puzzle if you do street skating in the city. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_iyYZwG1IE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_iyYZwG1IE A week ago, I actually helped out a guy that went for a run half a year after a heart attack. Was not good idea, almost had another. Called the ambulance for him. Some people are addicted to running. If he switched to rollerblading, probably would have been okay. Kayaking is also awesome. More people should try it.

mleonhard 6y ago

I walked 3 miles a day, about 1,000 miles a year, before the pandemic. For me, two things are important for walking: 1. Environment - I need a quiet & safe path. You can find this in most cities with enough trial & error. Try different streets at different times. You will eventually find a way to walk wherever you want, whenever you want, without much traffic noise or street-crossing risk. 2. Equipment - Great shoes, better socks, water, and protection from wind, sun, cold, and rain. Here's what works for me: - Darn Tough Hiker Boot Sock Full Cushion, https://darntough.com/collections/mens-hike-trek/products/boot-sock-full-cushion-1 https://darntough.com/collections/mens-hike-trek/products/bo... . You can get 6-packs on Amazon for $20/pair. My pairs last me about 750 miles, far longer than all the other socks I've tried. - Columbia Men’s Newton Ridge Plus II Waterproof Hiking Boot - Wide, https://www.columbia.com/p/mens-newton-ridge-wide-1594732.html https://www.columbia.com/p/mens-newton-ridge-wide-1594732.ht... . This is a waterproof sneaker with ankle protection and grippy tread. The shoes are flat on the inside, great for walking not running. I've gone through six pairs. They last me about 750 miles each. I went most of my life wearing shoes that were too narrow. Walking suddenly became comfortable when I got wide enough shoes. - Thermos Intak 24 bottle, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002VJX4C4 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002VJX4C4 . I own 8 of these, grab a clean one each day, and wash them in the dishwasher. You can remove the ring seal with a fork. You can order replacement parts from Thermos customer service. - Tortuga Outbreaker Daypack, https://www.tortugabackpacks.com/products/outbreaker-travel-daypack https://www.tortugabackpacks.com/products/outbreaker-travel-... . The side mesh pockets are perfect. - Tilley LTM6 Airflow hat, https://www.tilley.com/us_en/ltm6-airflo-hat.html https://www.tilley.com/us_en/ltm6-airflo-hat.html . Super durable, floats, non-adsorbent, ventilated, lightweight. I've crammed this in my backpack nearly every day for 3 years and it still looks nice. Walking takes time, so you will get more UV exposure. Protect your skin to avoid looking old. - Patagonia Torrentshell rain jacket. It's light weight. It blocks the wind and rain. It rolls up to a small package. Mine is wearing out after 3 years. It fits well in an Eagle Creek Pack-It Spectre "Sac" medium. Get a bright color to reduce evening street-crossing risk. - Uniqlo merino sweaters. Soft, warm, light weight, don't pill, and last forever. I wash mine in a front-loading washer, on the delicate warm cycle, with standard detergent, and hang them up to dry. I own 4. The oldest has been worn about 100 times, washed about 10 times, and still looks great. - Cheap synthetic beanie hat. This can warm you as much as a sweater. Buy a bunch so you always have a clean one, and have extras for friends. Happy walking! :)

koonsolo 6y ago

I'm 40 and most of my time is spent sitting in front of a computer. I try to be healthy, but read somewhere that sitting for long periods is about the same as smoking. So after seeing Wolfram walking on a treadmill while working on the computer, it convinced me to do the same. I have a ikea standing desk, and a movable walk pad underneath. I try to walk about 30 to 60 min a day. It actually works really great. You can still read properly while walking, and if you can rest your wrists, typing and mouse are no problem. Highly recommended!

sheepz 6y ago

To people who hate running, run slower! Most people who hate running are conditioned to go way too fast. Once you build up a base, then you can speed things up. There is little enjoyment if you are constantly struggling. A smartwatch can give you a pretty good idea of how difficult a run is based on your pulse.

burntoutfire 6y ago

Walking is one of the best things in my life. It's very centering: - it unglues me from devices (I don't listen to anything during most of my walks) - it makes me open to sensual details of the world (such as: frozen dew on grass makes nice crunchy sound when walked on) - it makes me explore and connect to my surrounding area - it makes me feel good after I've finished the walk (nothing like coming back home after a nice walk outside). Sometimes I feel like I'm too tired to go for a walk in the evening, but it's just "brain fog" from all day of sitting and thinking and being stressed in job. If I force myself to go out, usually I feel ok after 10-15 minutes of walking and can easily walk for 1-3 hours feeling energized rather that tired. For reference, my daily average walking distance over past 2 years is 5 kilometers.

serf 6y ago

I used to walk 5 to 10 miles a day, every single night, to clear my head and think about things. One night, on a drinking holiday, I was ran over from the back (while on the sidewalk/side of street, mind you) while on my nightly walk, and crippled permanently by a hit-and-run driver that was never found. (C5 level non-complete quadriplegia) I miss my walks immensely. They used to put my mind at ease like nothing I have found since. No point in this comment other than to express my envy towards those can enjoy such a hobby still , and to express a bit of loneliness and hard-to-reconcile personal emotions when told the benefits of walking. I know, already! I wish I could! I was very fit my entire life through very little additional effort other than nightly walks & some lucky genetics -- although unfortunately those hobbies landed me into a net-negative position -- I suggest the hobby to anyone that has a few minutes to spare a day. I hope that pedestrian safety and road design continues to improve.

elvis70 6y ago
Receive all my compassion. And I was complaining of a sprain depriving me of long walks for a few weeks. I started walking at a rhythm of 5 hours a week minimum three years ago. And I must say, without exaggeration, that I am a different man now. I haven't been sick for 2.5 years; I feel that my immune system is stronger now. Before that, I used to get sick, angina or whatever, twice a year. Also, my legs have become more muscular and my face has become thinner, which makes me look more attractive. I'm 18 again ;-)
tobib 6y ago
Thanks for sharing and for the lack of a better way to express what I'm feeling, sorry for your loss.
tuxguy 6y ago
so sorry to hear that ! hope medical science advances that one day you can walk(& maybe even run) again ! sending you lots of love !

kerng 6y ago

I walked over 1000 miles already in 2020. I mean dedicated walking miles, not regular movement. I only discovered the joy of long walks this year. I used to drive to mountains for a hike on weekends, but now I just go out the house for a walk after lunch sometimes 1, sometimes up to 3 hours ever day if schedule permits. I might have never felt as healthy, even though I'm also a long distance runner and exercise regularly.

eimrine 6y ago

This is great article except of advice to wear mask. Even while covid time your mask will protect nobody. Future generations even will not have an ability to understand the connection between walking half a marathone and wearing something that makes breathing tough.

raztogt21 6y ago

I'd consider myself super active, can do up two hours of intensive exercise without feeling soreness the next day. The last three months I started walking 4km each day at a pace of 12 minutes per kilometer. Mentally it is game changing. I began remembering childhood memories, came up with new ideas, start connecting dots of what I've listened and read, and noticed a huge boost on my mood. I look forward each day for my afternoon walk.

vram22 6y ago

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=24860432 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=24860432