Exercise & Fitness Some tips in getting your steps in

[God]

With the steps challenge in April INC. soon, i figured i might talk about my experience with walking and hiking in general.

When i was first losing my weight, i didn't want to talk and didn't want to exercise. I forced myself to do it, which led to skipped days or failed days. It felt like i was walking for hours when it's been 30 minutes and I'd go in circles around the same pathways just so i could feel satisfied with the number.

This obviously wouldn't work long term.

I took inspiration from a lot of people online, and started walking not just to walk but for fun. And to have fun in walking there's a bunch of things you can do.

First, WHERE you're walking is a big part. Not just the destination but the path aswell. There's a huge difference between walking forward on a boring mundane path, and walking in a forest or park full of corners and hills. Your brain instantly feels more dopamine when you're actively thinking and doing things than when you're on autopilot.

Second, along with where you walk, it's also important when you walk. It'll be way easier for you to feel enjoyment and happiness when you go outside when it's sunny and warm.. or if you like it, dark and cold - whichever you enjoy most.

Third, it's way easier with a partner (sorry lonelycels, but you can go with friends aswell!). Time passes by way quicker when you're entertained, and walking with someone is the easiest way to achieve that.. Hell, it can even be a date in the park if you want it to be

Speaking of entertainment, if you have a treadmill, watching shows or movies is also an obvious move. I binged the entirety of invincible on a treadmill actually. Even outside - you can listen to music or podcasts, and if you're skilled enough and don't mind your neck being bent 90 degrees, you can watch shows aswell.

Walking can be really fun if you make it be fun, it doesn't have to be boring and forced.

 

[got.daim]

With the steps challenge in April INC. soon, i figured i might talk about my experience with walking and hiking in general.

When i was first losing my weight, i didn't want to talk and didn't want to exercise. I forced myself to do it, which led to skipped days or failed days. It felt like i was walking for hours when it's been 30 minutes and I'd go in circles around the same pathways just so i could feel satisfied with the number.

This obviously wouldn't work long term.

I took inspiration from a lot of people online, and started walking not just to walk but for fun. And to have fun in walking there's a bunch of things you can do.

First, WHERE you're walking is a big part. Not just the destination but the path aswell. There's a huge difference between walking forward on a boring mundane path, and walking in a forest or park full of corners and hills. Your brain instantly feels more dopamine when you're actively thinking and doing things than when you're on autopilot.

Second, along with where you walk, it's also important when you walk. It'll be way easier for you to feel enjoyment and happiness when you go outside when it's sunny and warm.. or if you like it, dark and cold - whichever you enjoy most.

Third, it's way easier with a partner (sorry lonelycels, but you can go with friends aswell!). Time passes by way quicker when you're entertained, and walking with someone is the easiest way to achieve that.. Hell, it can even be a date in the park if you want it to be

Speaking of entertainment, if you have a treadmill, watching shows or movies is also an obvious move. I binged the entirety of invincible on a treadmill actually. Even outside - you can listen to music or podcasts, and if you're skilled enough and don't mind your neck being bent 90 degrees, you can watch shows aswell.

Walking can be really fun if you make it be fun, it doesn't have to be boring and forced.

TL;DR?

 

[Panchitosbroncs]

With the steps challenge in April INC. soon, i figured i might talk about my experience with walking and hiking in general.

When i was first losing my weight, i didn't want to talk and didn't want to exercise. I forced myself to do it, which led to skipped days or failed days. It felt like i was walking for hours when it's been 30 minutes and I'd go in circles around the same pathways just so i could feel satisfied with the number.

This obviously wouldn't work long term.

I took inspiration from a lot of people online, and started walking not just to walk but for fun. And to have fun in walking there's a bunch of things you can do.

First, WHERE you're walking is a big part. Not just the destination but the path aswell. There's a huge difference between walking forward on a boring mundane path, and walking in a forest or park full of corners and hills. Your brain instantly feels more dopamine when you're actively thinking and doing things than when you're on autopilot.

Second, along with where you walk, it's also important when you walk. It'll be way easier for you to feel enjoyment and happiness when you go outside when it's sunny and warm.. or if you like it, dark and cold - whichever you enjoy most.

Third, it's way easier with a partner (sorry lonelycels, but you can go with friends aswell!). Time passes by way quicker when you're entertained, and walking with someone is the easiest way to achieve that.. Hell, it can even be a date in the park if you want it to be

Speaking of entertainment, if you have a treadmill, watching shows or movies is also an obvious move. I binged the entirety of invincible on a treadmill actually. Even outside - you can listen to music or podcasts, and if you're skilled enough and don't mind your neck being bent 90 degrees, you can watch shows aswell.

Walking can be really fun if you make it be fun, it doesn't have to be boring and forced.

TL;DR?

 

[Flint]

First, WHERE you're walking is a big part. Not just the destination but the path aswell. There's a huge difference between walking forward on a boring mundane path, and walking in a forest or park full of corners and hills. Your brain instantly feels more dopamine when you're actively thinking and doing things than when you're on autopilot.

100%. I think people just think walking around your workplace/home is "enough" because you're technically getting your steps in, but it's easier to get 15k steps in when you're hiking vs working (depending on your job). There's some "cons" to hiking vs walking around familiar places, but it's usually recommended to get out of your comfort zone if you actually want to enjoy the task more instead of making yourself go crazy.

 

[gatogato is verified member.]

i used to walk excessively and then stop entirely when i was unemployed. some of it was just because of boredom, but also the heat and the fact i was walking around my neighborhood in circles for hours straight. i think if i had literally any other view, or maybe diversity in the path, it'd probably have been more enjoyable. when i started working again and went to baseline 25k steps every shift, truly got the wind knocked out of me. terrible. after i switched shifts to pm and dont need to walk as much, i feel like i need to make up for it outside of work. this might help tbh