Find walking boring

2

Replies

  • tibby531
    tibby531 Posts: 717 Member
    I do power walks on my lunch breaks. I have 30 minutes, so I walk out 15 minutes and 30 seconds (at a good, heart-pumping brisk pace), and then I have 14 minutes and 30 seconds to get back. and there's only one rule: NO. RUNNING.

    ...I race myself. that keeps it entertaining for me. :)
  • azulvioleta6
    azulvioleta6 Posts: 4,195 Member
    North44 wrote: »
    I like listening to a podcast.

    Great idea!

    Check out Serial, This American Life, Fresh Air with Terry Gross, etc.

  • vixtris
    vixtris Posts: 688 Member
    edited April 2015
    I find walking a little boring too ... And now with summer approaching, its only going to get hotter, and then I definitely won't be enjoying it, outside anyways. I don't have a treadmill, I do however have an elliptical. I always listen to music when I'm exercising, that helps a lot. I spend about 40-60 mins working out several times a week, listening to music is what really gets me through it. If you want to get a treadmill, go for it. I don't see anything wrong with exercising indoors with the nice A/C :D I have heard the treadmill little boring though, so maybe think about what type of machine you would have most fun with before you buy.
  • TimothyFish
    TimothyFish Posts: 4,925 Member
    I find walking very boring, so I ride a bicycle. But never inside, because that is mind numbingly boring.
  • farfromthetree
    farfromthetree Posts: 982 Member
    GuitarJerry wrote: »
    If you find it boring, that may mean you don't like doing it. In that case, I recommend finding an exercise you like doing.


    yes yes yes!! Find something you love to do. It could be anything! yoga, pilates, zumba, CrossFit, It took me many years to find what I really like which is CrossFit. I think one of the reasons I love it so much is I truly dont think about anything else when I am there so it is a great escape.
    As far as the treadmill goes, I find that even more boring than walking outside! Music does help, but if you are walking in the street, watch the traffic!
  • 999tigger
    999tigger Posts: 5,235 Member
    Also podcasts or the radio.
  • ReeseG4350
    ReeseG4350 Posts: 146 Member
    I used to walk/run outdoors - 4 - 6 miles every morning, depending on mood, attitude, and weather. I'd be up at five and out the door before 5:30. That gave me enough time to get home, shower, and get to work before 8. The problem with that was pot holes, heaved up sidewalks, etc. had it in for me. When I planted my foot in an 'invisible' black hole (about 6"wx15"lx6"d) in the middle of a black road and ripped up just about everything in my right leg and foot, I gave up the great outdoors running the roads.

    Then, for awhile, I was going to a neighborhood park with a running, walking track after work. But, by the end of the workday, I was not readily disposed to be running and I had to contend with about a dozen or so others. Finally, I did buy a treadmill (affectionately dubbed the hamster wheel). I have an attachment (aka my son) that programs movies onto my laptop for viewing while I jog. (No more full-out running after the foot-eater fiasco!)

    Now, I also read while on the treadmill on occasion and on those days, I listen to music brought to me by my favorite radio station. (ALSO my son, who uploads to my phone whatever music catches my fancy.) So, one day I'm boogying to Bruno Mars and Mark Ronson, then Gin Wigmore, and Maroon 5, and Royal Crown Review, then Uncle Cracker and Flogging Molly. Change up my pace to match the tempo of the music to keep things interesting.

    One thing I have discovered, though, is it takes some time to change a habit. I now get up at 4:15 EVERY morning. Saturdays and Sundays I convince myself to roll over but I sleep in 'late' by getting up at 6:30 or 7. And, when I swear I am NOT going to get up early, "I'm rolling over and not getting on the treadmill this morning"? Five minutes later, I'm up and dressing for my morning hamster run. But it didn't start out that way. Bad habits are easier to fall into but good habits can be established, too. Just be aware that it can take anywhere from 8 to twenty weeks to re-acclimate your body to a new way of 'thinking'.

    A few things to consider if you cannot get/do not have a treadmill. Consider buying a dog! (Just not a greyhound - they'll drag you to your belly and yank your arm out of its socket. They are known as runners for a reason.)

    Do you pass other runners/walkers when you go out? Greet them, talk to them, maybe bond enough to get together at the same time to run together. Help both of you and maybe make a great new friend. Join the "Y" or some non-membership gym in your area (Some as cheap as $10 a month). You can not only use the treadmill, there are weights, pool, etc. AND trainers. And, if it's on your way to work - take your change of clothes with you and shower at the gym. After not too very long it will have become a natural part of your every day life and people will marvel at your will-power. You smile and thank them but, inside, you know - Just doing what comes naturally!
  • mygnsac
    mygnsac Posts: 13,413 Member
    As already mentioned, music really helps. I never tire of walk when I'm walking to the beat of a song. I also try to change up the route now and then. Sometimes it's just a matter of walking in the opposite direction.
  • erockem
    erockem Posts: 278 Member
    audio books, pod casts, etc.
  • antoinetteg1957
    antoinetteg1957 Posts: 67 Member
    I walk everyday but take a different direction every time. I try to find new paths to travels down in each direction. The worst is when it's raining out and I have to do house walking. It gets boring walking from the front door to the back down a zillion times until I hit my 2.5 mile mark.
  • azulvioleta6
    azulvioleta6 Posts: 4,195 Member
    HumboldtFred wrote: »
    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?

    Good ideas!

    Sometimes I will drive or take public transportation to an area that I don't know and check out something new on foot. I will pick a park on the other side of town and go for a long walk, stroll through a historic neighborhood, etc. Last week I checked out a pioneer cemetery that I don't know well--very interesting place to walk with beautiful grounds.
  • rushfive
    rushfive Posts: 603 Member
    I like listening to podcast or audio books when I walk, also take my dog along, if you can't change your route to a more scenic one.
    Or else find a different exercise to do.
    The treadmill is twice as boring than walking outside...(to me anyway) :) A tv to watch while on treadmill does help.
  • PAV8888
    PAV8888 Posts: 14,242 Member
    shanapadilla2 wrote: »
    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.
    Ha! Walk to the second closest Safeway to your house to buy a jug of milk. Walk back home. Then walk back there again to get a Snickers bar :smile:

  • Eaglesfanintn
    Eaglesfanintn Posts: 813 Member
    If I run alone, I always listen to podcasts, Audible books or music. Definitely makes the miles go by faster.
  • Ilikelamps
    Ilikelamps Posts: 482 Member
    you could crawl!
  • earlnabby
    earlnabby Posts: 8,171 Member
    I find treadmills to be excruciatingly boring. Find a reason to walk. Do you have a coffee shop near you? Walk there and get yourself a coffee. My bank is 8/10ths of a mile away so I walk there and back. The convenience store where I get my eggs is 1 mile away so I walk there and back. Walgreens is 1.2 miles away. I even have a 2.75 mile circle I can walk that passes by the convenience store, Walgreens, grocery store, and a McDonalds if I want a coffee.
  • ReeseG4350
    ReeseG4350 Posts: 146 Member
    TimothyFish wrote: »
    I find walking very boring, so I ride a bicycle. But never inside, because that is mind numbingly boring.

    I tried cycling inside but kept running into walls!
  • rinteusp
    rinteusp Posts: 37 Member
    The Zombies, Run app is awesome - there are several out there to make the routes more interesting. :)
  • nikkib0103
    nikkib0103 Posts: 969 Member
    There is a pretty little neighborhood a couple of blocks away that has a three mile loop. Pretty old houses and some mini mansions, bridge views and city views and water front. No one is hardly ever outside when I walk (7:00 a.m.) but the birds. It allows my mind to wander. Lately I have had company which makes it go faster. But even on days when I am alone I like it because I can think. I have solved problems, planned the day and plotted stories all while walking. Sometimes it's nice to just be unplugged and alone with your thoughts, I doubt you are bored with your own mind!
  • Leana088
    Leana088 Posts: 581 Member
    I play pretend. I pretend I'm a Victorias secret Angel. :tongue:

    Yes, I'm serious.

    Music does weird things with my imagination.
  • Khukhullatus
    Khukhullatus Posts: 361 Member
    Audiobooks. I "read" an extra two or three books a week just by having my headphones on when I go for walks. I don't necessarily think being a little bored on a walk is a bad idea though. Think of it as a form of meditation. We're just CONSTANTLY inundated with entertainment. It's probably good to work on your ability to be comfortable and contented with just the stimulation of your own thoughts. But, I'm being one of those jerks who proselytize or answers their own question rather than the OP's, so I stand by my original thought: audiobooks. There are tons available for free via library services and librivox too, if you end up going a little nuts with them like I have. Podcasts are great too. There are also newspapers that put out free or cheap audio format editions. Oh, and augmented reality games like Ingress can be fun. Adds a "goal" to your walk other than just ticking off calories.

    As others said, a dog can be a great companion for walks. If one doesn't fit in your life right now, there are lots of charities that look for people to walk the dogs of the elderly and infirmed. They really improve their quality of life, but it's often quite difficult physically to get the dogs the exercise they need. You can do something good for your community, and make your walks a little more fun at the same time.
  • snowflakesav
    snowflakesav Posts: 649 Member
    Download a few pod casts. Listen to a book on tape. I practice coffee break french nearly every day (podcasts) . Plan to adventure out to walk somewhere new on your days off. I totally look forward to this time.
  • kellyannecandy
    kellyannecandy Posts: 27 Member
    Thank you everyone, you're all really helpful and given me loads of ideas. (I especially like the "racing myself one" , will definitely sort some music out and find some new places to walk
  • dubird
    dubird Posts: 1,849 Member
    PAV8888 wrote: »
    shanapadilla2 wrote: »
    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.
    Ha! Walk to the second closest Safeway to your house to buy a jug of milk. Walk back home. Then walk back there again to get a Snickers bar :smile:

    Yeah, I tried that with Quzino's. My favorite sandwich there is over 700 calories, so I figured walking 20 minutes there and back would bring it down to an acceptable amount for lunch. NOPE. XD
  • elphie754
    elphie754 Posts: 7,574 Member
    Of_Monsters_and_Meat wrote: »
    Try this. You won't be so bored if you are running to save your life.

    https://www.zombiesrungame.com/
    Was just about to suggest this. Pretty sure it can be used during walking as well.
  • azulvioleta6
    azulvioleta6 Posts: 4,195 Member
    dubird wrote: »
    PAV8888 wrote: »
    shanapadilla2 wrote: »
    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.
    Ha! Walk to the second closest Safeway to your house to buy a jug of milk. Walk back home. Then walk back there again to get a Snickers bar :smile:

    Yeah, I tried that with Quzino's. My favorite sandwich there is over 700 calories, so I figured walking 20 minutes there and back would bring it down to an acceptable amount for lunch. NOPE. XD

    I do this with chocolate. If I want it, I have to walk to the store to get it.

    I fit it in my daily eating plan too. :)
  • elphie754
    elphie754 Posts: 7,574 Member
    ReeseG4350 wrote: »
    TimothyFish wrote: »
    I find walking very boring, so I ride a bicycle. But never inside, because that is mind numbingly boring.

    I tried cycling inside but kept running into walls!

    Omg lol! I just spit out my drink when I read this.

  • mwyvr
    mwyvr Posts: 1,883 Member
    kellyannecandy wrote: »
    ... not quite up to running standard at the moment! haha

    Do not let fear stop you. Fear of looking silly. Fear of not being able to do it. Fear of having to stop. Whatever your fear is... drop it at the door and get out and do it.

    I speak from experience, I procrastinated getting back to running because I feared comparing unfit me to how I used to be. All that did was delay getting back on track by years.

    Start slow, and build slow and before you know it you'll look back with amazement at your progress.
  • shadowfax_c11
    shadowfax_c11 Posts: 1,942 Member
    Nope. Can't say that do. But walking is sort of what I do all day as a part of my job. I don't often go to walking as a source of additional exercise. In my experience the best way to get into an exercise program that you will stick to is to find an activity that you enjoy doing that just happens to also require physical effort. for me that is martial arts and horseback riding. For others it might be dancing, volleyball, tennis, zumba or something else. Find something you love to do and you will never find exercise boring. :)
  • rockmama72
    rockmama72 Posts: 815 Member
    I didn't read all the comments so I'm sorry if this is repeated. My library has free book downloads that I put on my iPod. It makes walking a joy!
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