Motivated to exercise

[Salinda]

I have been lucky enough to spend the last couple of weeks in Spain where walking (my chosen form of exercise) in warm sunshine under clear blue skies and with a gentle breeze has been a pleasure. To walk around the entire resort takes just over an hour and is about 3.4 miles. Some days I have done it twice. However I am returning home (happily) on Wednesday and I know that in dank, dark January, my motivation for going out walking will be sorely tested. Does anyone have any suggestions to help me?

 

[Northerner]

Well done Linda! Do you have any nice local parks? I'm lucky enough to have a really beautiful one with a river running alongside and it's about 3 miles round. Or is there somewhere nice that you can get to conveniently on the train? It's a good idea if you can get hold of local walks/guides that cover different aspects of your locality, like nature walks, ghost walks or history walks and it really helps make you feel part of the community and gives you a reason to explore that can motivate you whatever the weather 🙂

The days have finally started getting longer and we'll have a whole extra hour a day to enjoy by the end of January! 🙂

 

[Newtothis]

I have been lucky enough to spend the last couple of weeks in Spain where walking (my chosen form of exercise) in warm sunshine under clear blue skies and with a gentle breeze has been a pleasure. To walk around the entire resort takes just over an hour and is about 3.4 miles. Some days I have done it twice. However I am returning home (happily) on Wednesday and I know that in dank, dark January, my motivation for going out walking will be sorely tested. Does anyone have any suggestions to help me?

A pedometer is a must; I try and walk 10,000 steps a day; on those days I don't walk I have created my own mini-gym which includes cross-trainer; rowing machine; punch-bag; light weights and I've just invested (on ebay) for a gym mat and ball (latter needs blowing up). The gym is obviously going to cost but you can get some real bargains on Ebay. In relation to the steps these are 10,000 steps over the day so you could include running up and down the stairs.. 🙂

 

[Jennywren]

I have been lucky enough to spend the last couple of weeks in Spain where walking (my chosen form of exercise) in warm sunshine under clear blue skies and with a gentle breeze has been a pleasure. To walk around the entire resort takes just over an hour and is about 3.4 miles. Some days I have done it twice. However I am returning home (happily) on Wednesday and I know that in dank, dark January, my motivation for going out walking will be sorely tested. Does anyone have any suggestions to help me?

The nice thing about walking in these types of conditions is you can walk for ages without even realising how far you have walked Saying that we have had such a mild few months for this time of year its no excuses for not doing it here ( add to list of my new years resolutions walk more 🙂 )

 

[Robster65]

Back up Northerner and Newtothis. Another possiblility may be a local rambling group or perhaps some form of volunteering which would get you outside and busy. There are often regular work parties to clear public spaces, etc of weeds or rubbish.

I know parts of Surrey have heathland which may be good for spotting wildlife. If you have a camera, it can be a good incentive to get out more for better shots of flora and fauna.🙂

Rob

 

[trophywench]

Have a Google on the British Heart Foundation website, Salinda. Most areas have local groups which meet for a walk at least once a week and it's for everyone who needs exercise - not just heart patients. Not challenging rambles, about 45 mins/an hour duration.

Following that if you want longer walks in company there are all sorts of groups you can join, however ours all seem to be at least 5 miles plus - they last 90 mins minimum upwards so it's a bit much for me at the mo.

Some of em start in the town centre (well at a carpark close to the centre but easy to get there by car or bus) and others are more rural but they operate on about 3 different days of the week, sometimes am sometimes pm.

I just Googled 'Walking groups Warwickshire'.

 

[Pigeon]

Ramblers run a scheme called "Get walking, keep walking" with GP services to encourage people to walk more - I think they start with small walks and build up.

Also, I don't know what age you are, but I know some people are put off the Ramblers as they always seem to be OAPs, but there are now groups set up for people in their 20s and 30s, and I believe some family groups or groups for 40s and 50s, so it's worth seeing what kind of groups are in your area. I used to belong to a 20s and 30s group and they were all lovely and very friendly - we had a lot of socials too!

 

[Copepod]

As you're in Surrey, this webpage is helpful - http://www.wfh.naturalengland.org.uk/ Walk Finder box on right hand side of page is good for, well, finding walks!

If you want to add interest to your walks, add targets etc, then 2 other activities might suit you -

geocaching (you need a GPS, but can do it whenever you like - see http://www.geocaching.com/)

orienteering (permanent course are available at all times - see http://www.britishorienteering.org.uk/page/pocs Other races are at specific times - there are a whole range of courses at a race, and you don't have to run if you don't want to, plus there's help with navigation if you need it / make yourself known as a beginner at registration - see http://www.britishorienteering.org.uk/page/community_o (scroll down to Leatherhead Adventure Orienteering on Saturday mornings), http://www.guildfordorienteers.co.uk/ (Guildford Orienteers club), http://sloweb.org.uk/ (SLOW -South London Orienteers & Wayfarers)