Only 50% of middle age adult manage more than 1 brisk 10 min walk a month.

I think this is mainly aimed at middle-age. I have read before that those who are active in middle age tend to do better in old age.

My walking is bad, too.
I'm trying to build it up, bit by bit, though.

I wonder how the 10 minutes is measured? Is it only specific recorded walks for instance?
BBC article talks about recording 30 minute daily brisk walks.
I walk 30+ miles a week - but I rarely record my walks on my sports watch because all other functions - such as telling me the time then stop. It can count steps in the background whilst still functioning as a watch. Also a lot of walking is normal running around - in the house, or to the supermarket or pharmacy, without going out for a specific brisk walk.
Where has this 10 minute figure come from - can anyone point me to the research please?

( I suppose I’m not middle aged any more - but I’m definitely not elderly!)

travelsafar

I guess there are many older people myself included, who would dearly love to go on a hike or a decent walk but their physical state wont allow.
Please dont think we are all lazy.
Prior to having mobility issues I use to run 3 times a week and walk or cycle as much as I could and time allowed.
It breaks my heart that I have lost this ability.😪😪

Me too. I'm actually in a sort of denial about it which is why I tend not to try to walk outside of the house because I find it so upsetting. It was when I considered getting a mobilty scooter a few months ago that I admitted to myself that I had a problem. Mind you a friend of mine who is at least a generation older than me had to have both legs removed many years[probably decades] ago. And, of her peer group she's one of the few that is still alive and still active. She takes her dog out every day and runs the pub quiz.

Maybee - have you tried walking poles? These might increase your confidence, improve your balance and (let’s face it ) would add to,your image as a serious walker!
I would as my balance can be iffy, but I have yet to work out how to cope with even 1 pole let alone 2 plus a greyhound’s lead!

Would joining in with a free YouTube exercise video perhaps help some of you who are struggling? There are all sorts of videos on there, for all sorts of different types of exercise, and for all abilities.

MawsRosie

Maybee - have you tried walking poles? These might increase your confidence, improve your balance and (let’s face it ) would add to,your image as a serious walker!
I would as my balance can be iffy, but I have yet to work out how to cope with even 1 pole let alone 2 plus a greyhound’s lead!

Would it work if you put Rosie’s lead on a belt around your waist Maw

Then she’d be skiing 😂

Beechnut

MawsRosie

Maybee - have you tried walking poles? These might increase your confidence, improve your balance and (let’s face it ) would add to,your image as a serious walker!
I would as my balance can be iffy, but I have yet to work out how to cope with even 1 pole let alone 2 plus a greyhound’s lead!

Would it work if you put Rosie’s lead on a belt around your waist Maw

Sighthounds have a habit of doing 0-35 mph in a split second. They also tend to spin round with no warning. I think the last time Winnie did that and crashed into my knee ( it’s always my bad knee, too) was when it deteriorated quite markedly. I did use a Halti lead when we were both younger as it allows hands free when poo picking. Poles do help, and I’ve found that having them quite long helps the most. I walk uphill much better than on a flat surface or downhill. If everywhere was uphill I’d be ok. Except I’d have to walk downhill again.

I ended up most definitely getting more than a ten-minute brisk walk today. The planned playpark outing turned into a castle adventure instead. Not a nicely manicured National Trust style castle you can amble round but one with multiple worn spiral staircases into corner turrets, out onto the fifth storey roof in a gale and rough and broken floors to negotiate. I think I’ll sleep well tonight!

I think we will have a generation of people who will be dying younger again - as in before retirement

How can anyone walk less than 10 mins a month?

we aim for 4000 steps a days, as my husband is poorly but I easily do 10k plus with just walking from office to office at work if I need to talk to people (but I suppose I do leave my desk)

the post wasn't about elderly people. I understand elderly or disabled people might not be able to do a brisk walk, but they should still be able to access some sort of exercise

I'm very grateful to be healthy at 77 and I walk a lot because I don't drive. I usually average about half an hour a day.

If I'm given vouchers as an incentive, I'd definitely up my walking game even more

I was just going to ask if people think this is because so many people drive these days?

MissAdventure

I was just going to ask if people think this is because so many people drive these days?

I suppose most people have to drove to work the shops etc

Yes, its a different pace of life now.
Everyone is so busy trying to get the basics of living running smoothly, and meeting their obligations.

Yes, people definitely drive more.

My son only lives a few minutes walk away from us, but he would jump in the car if he needed to pop over. And he wouldn’t walk to the shops if he needed say a loaf of bread, he’d drive.

Whereas I would walk.

He could do with the exercise though!

I spent most of my middle age years cycling everywhere. I am sure that did me good.

I’m in my 50s and walk every day. In my old job I used to walk about 40 miles a week but now I only do about 16 miles. I have a 20 minute walk to work, then 20 minutes back. I do three hours a week at the gym. I walk to the shops etc. I’ve just walked two miles to meet my daughter at youth club and walk back with her. I just incorporate as much walking as I can into my everyday life. I have osteoarthritis in my hip and if I don’t stay mobile I know about it!

I do plenty of walking and still work part time anyway, but the government is more concerned with those in their 40’s-50’s I think.Any type of exercise is good, even housework.

Get a rescue dog they'll soon retrain you into walking. I have multiple health problems but still manage to take her a walk everyday. No I'm not going to win any races but being outside, breathing fresh air and seeing how nature changes from season to season is uplifting. I used to walk an hour every day but that is impossible now but I always feel better for my short walk.

You fine folk shame me, I was a very good walker and very outdoorsy however a condition I developed at 44 has got progressively worse and I am one of those who doesn’t manage to walk every day

On a positive note though, our 5 AC, aged between 24-41 are all excellent walkers and all have a good amount of movement and exercise almost every day! DH at 70 walks the dog for an hour every single morning

I wonder how many of the "non walkers" go to the gym and work out?
Not that it's the dame as staying mobile, but perhaps some are concentrating just on building muscles, burning fat (or whatever it is that people do at gyms)