Find walking boring

kellyannecandy

Does anybody else get really bored of walking?
I try to walk about 3 miles a day (in 2seperate stints) but am walking alone and already losing interest because its the same couple of routes and they're not very interesting ones either.
I'm thinking of getting a treadmill but then i'd just be in a room indoors and not getting the fresh air etc.
How can I make it more interesting?

azulvioleta6

I find music really motivating. I make very upbeat playlists for exercise and only listen to them when I am moving.

TiffanyR71

Find a new route!

HumboldtFred

I live in the woods so I don't go walking, I go adventuring. I pick a beach or a trail I am not used to and find something I did not know was there. Are there any wildlife refuges, state parks, or other outdoors places near you?

booksandchocolate12

I agree, music makes a big difference.

I don't know that a treadmill will be of much help to you. I love walking outside but find the treadmill boring.

TheHumanMachine

I wouldn't walk 6 miles a day without music. Get some tunes.

mwyvr

Get a dog? Take a friend? Join a walking group?

I find walking fairly boring myself, but walking with the dog is a vast improvement and good motivation. Walking with a friend/partner/spouse is even better (unless your dog can carry on an intelligent conversation) and definitely makes the time go by.

To be honest... if I have a choice between a walk or a run I will take the run every time. Not only does running burn through calories faster, you get the additional cardio benefits, impact benefits (good for your bones), and just navigating streets or trails is more of a mental challenge so the time passes. Along the same lines I prefer running on trails (dog loves this too) because there's even more mental stimulation and of course I have to pay attention so I don't trip on a tree root and go flying.

Alternatively... take up cycling? Riding a bike is again more mentally stimulating as the scene changes rapidly.

I don't run (or ride) with headphones on, but if I was determined to walk a lot more than I already do I'd probably don the 'phones and listen to music or more likely interesting podcasts on my phone.

Laurend224

I hate walking, but I looooove hiking. So much to look at in the woods.

jrline

find a different route. Listen to music. Taking a dog with you is a great idea.

jenncornelsen

i wouldnt do a treadmill. i have one and would far rather walk outside. why not switch it up and try biking? start adding some jogging. but ya find music that motivates u! if i did the same walk at the same pace with no music i would want to give up too

TeaBea

I agree with the music as motivator. I have a cheap MP3 player with lots of fast tunes. Use Jog FM.com to find songs for a good walking pace (4 MPH is 140's). Other people use audiobooks for motivation.

A treadmill did motivate me.....for awhile. I know I won't walk outdoors (in the snow).....so I also needed an "indoor walking" outlet.

You might try Walk at Home or Just Walk DVDs by Leslie Sansone. These are really low impact aerobics with zero choreography. You walk in place for awhile, do side steps for awhile, do knee lifts for awhile. Then you add basic arm movements. Changing the moves a bit is more interesting.

On YouTube: Jessica Smith Walking Workouts

On YouTube: Walkathomemedia (Leslie Sansone)

kellyannecandy

Thanks everybody, think I do need to get some music sorted out and maybe go a bit further to change the route. There really is nobody to come with me and not quite up to running standard at the moment! haha

jgnatca

Yeah, I pay attention to signals I'm getting bored because historically that's when I would quit. When I get bored I have a good sit-down think about it and change it up. Here's some things that I did:

• Registered for a charity walk, so the walks were preparing me for something
• Made sure the goal was "stretch" just enough to terrify me mildly
• When walking got easy, I took a running class
• I have an app like MapMyRun to record my runs and find new routes
• I change my routes
• I use another App, IntervalTimer, to switch between walking and running
• I change my pace
• I play my inspirational music set
• I have a long-term goal to participate in an extreme run, the "Canadian Death Race", one leg.

Need2Exerc1se

I agree with music. I could never stand to walk on a treadmill without music. I would also recommend hiking instead of walking if there is somewhere safe to hike near you.

fairy2b

I started listening to podcasts that I really enjoyed and would "save" for my walks. They are about 45-55 min in length so it was something to look forward to on my 3 mile walk and I would only allow myself to listen if I walked. I listened to both "Serial" and "Invisibilia" and enjoyed them both. You could look into audio books too!

North44

I like listening to a podcast. I'm a Packers fan so I listen to those but the are tons of options!

JaneLane33

I listen to Zombies Run on my ipod touch. I like the story and it doesn't require actual running. It mixes in songs that I have on the ipod. They also have another one called The Walk. I've not tried that one yet.
Try music, different apps, or even get audio books.

BWBTrish

i walk inside on my own treadmill, i use music and i use my android to watch video's and since we moved i the treadmill is at a place were i even can watch tv

Next to that i do some Youtube video's ( Leslie Sansome etc)

The walking outside still seem to be heavy for my knee and hips. But i try sometimes Will get there too.

OldHobo

I think it helps to walk to get someplace. Yesterday I walked to the library to renew my card. Got a couple muffins from a bakery and stopped at the grocery store on the way back. Three miles total. Saturday I walked 6.4 miles round trip to a farmers market. I know exactly how far because I looked these places up on Google maps. I have a list of 32 different places between .5 and 5.0 miles and the list is growing. Most I've walked to many times. The strategy broke down last summer in +100° summer heat so now I have a treadmill too.
I listen to music or watch TV/movies on the tread mill but not on the street. I want to be aware of my surroundings outside.

ExRelaySprinter

TeaBea wrote: »

I agree with the music as motivator. I have a cheap MP3 player with lots of fast tunes. Use Jog FM.com to find songs for a good walking pace (4 MPH is 140's). Other people use audiobooks for motivation.

Thanks for the website link Teabea.
Yes OP, Music will definitely motivate you more.
I go Powerwalking with my headphones on and New Sony Walkman.....and love it!

jkal1979

Are there any walking trails in your area?

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beemerphile1

I listen to financial podcasts mostly but also some hobby podcasts.

Hopefully the park will dry soon and I can walk the trails.

dubird

Listen to music or a book on tape. I downloaded a Zombies, Run! which helps motivate me because I want to see where the story goes. Plus, it'll play music playlists for you inbetween segments, which is nice. I find just walking to be boring too, so finding something my brain can focus on makes it much better.

Of_Monsters_and_Meat

Try this. You won't be so bored if you are running to save your life.

https://www.zombiesrungame.com/

RavenLibra

Wow... and all I do during a walk is ponder life...

Tubbs216

TheOwlhouseDesigns wrote: »

i walk inside on my own treadmill, i use music and i use my android to watch video's and since we moved i the treadmill is at a place were i even can watch tv

I do this too. Treadmill + Netflix = Never get bored!

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shanapadilla2

I also tend to get bored on walks; that's why I set myself up a destination somewhere to go on my walk. I may walk 35 minutes to the grocery store and then 35 minutes home just to buy a bag of cat food. Yes, I could have gotten the cat food on a normal grocery store trip but it was a reason to get out and walk.

frankiep73

there is an app, audible, that has e-books. I don't read because I fall asleep, but I've covered much ground listening to my books while walking/biking and the likes.

FrozenTundra511

Drive to a park and walk.

Buy a dog. (You'll be a bit pre-occupied as you walk with your companion)

iPod