Is walking 5 miles a day ok?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Brisk walking 45 min 3x a day is proven to have major health benefits. But there's a lot of info out there on starting a running program when you're older.

Q is--do you feel like walking isn't enough? Or are you happy with walking and have no interest in running but feeling guilty? If the first, learn about starting to run. If the latter, it can't hurt to look at info about starting to run, give it a try, and see how it goes. Finally, if you're happy with your walking but feeling like you're being shamed (not the same as feeling guilty) read on the benefits of walking and congratulate yourself.

Op here—yes, I would like to do more but absent that, I want to know that I am doing the bare minimum or is the bare minimum more? Also, my question wasn’t quite as long term as being 80yrs but more as I hit menopause to be in an ok place.

Op again. I’m 5ft10, 163lbs with a belly I’d like to get rid of. I know I should do more core strengthening exercise but right now, walking 5-7miles daily is the one thing I’ve been consistent about.

[Anonymous]

OP, do what works and what you enjoy!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m 45yrs old and walk anywhere from 5-7miles a day. I would love to turn some of those Miles into a run but so far I haven’t found the motivation. I’m just wondering if 5-7miles is ok?

That’s a heck of a lot better than most people do!

I just watched a documentary on Amazon Prime called The Human Race. It talks about running as we age, how great running is for you if you don’t have health problems that prevent it, and dispels the myth that running is bad for knees and other joints. The film was made by a woman in her 40s who loves running but feared that she would eventually have to give it up. It features some incredible older runners, including the first woman who famously ran in the Boston Marathon and is still running at 70. A lot of talk about how it’s never too late to start. I found it really inspirational, because I have always bought into the idea that people have to give up running as they age.

This sounds just like that Game Changers documentary. You find what suits your narrative and you run with it. My mom was a runner in high school. Long distance runner, top European level runner. Has artificial knees and had them for over 6 years. She is 73.

Many, many people have age related joint degeneration. It doesn’t mean running caused the degeneration.

I am not following. If so many older people have joint degeneration how is it a myth that running is bad for you? How am I to know more running won't cause more damage older I get?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m 45yrs old and walk anywhere from 5-7miles a day. I would love to turn some of those Miles into a run but so far I haven’t found the motivation. I’m just wondering if 5-7miles is ok?

That’s a heck of a lot better than most people do!

I just watched a documentary on Amazon Prime called The Human Race. It talks about running as we age, how great running is for you if you don’t have health problems that prevent it, and dispels the myth that running is bad for knees and other joints. The film was made by a woman in her 40s who loves running but feared that she would eventually have to give it up. It features some incredible older runners, including the first woman who famously ran in the Boston Marathon and is still running at 70. A lot of talk about how it’s never too late to start. I found it really inspirational, because I have always bought into the idea that people have to give up running as they age.

This sounds just like that Game Changers documentary. You find what suits your narrative and you run with it. My mom was a runner in high school. Long distance runner, top European level runner. Has artificial knees and had them for over 6 years. She is 73.

Many, many people have age related joint degeneration. It doesn’t mean running caused the degeneration.

I am not following. If so many older people have joint degeneration how is it a myth that running is bad for you? How am I to know more running won't cause more damage older I get?

Age related joint degeneration is related to age, not exercise.

[Anonymous]

OP, walking is extremely healthy and good for you. I am a runner but I I alternate running with walking. If you want to lose weight, eat less. But walking is great exercise.

[Anonymous]

Another 40-something walker here - I think it sounds like you're doing great.

As I understand it, probably the top thing is to find an activity you love to do and then do it. If you love walking - and it sounds like you do - then walk.

Perhaps consider adding in some weights or resistance training at some point for bone density: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/strength-training/art-20046670#:~:text=By%20stressing%20your%20bones%2C%20strength,help%20you%20burn%20more%20calories.

I need to start thinking about bone density, too, as we get older. But yeah, walking is a great way to stay active.

[Anonymous]

I remember reading an article that said women in particular have great benefits from walking 7500+ steps per day

[Anonymous]

I'm 51 and have walked 5-6 miles most days for years. I live in a hilly area so it does get my heart rate up a bit. I've tried running but don't really like it. But I love walking so I'm sticking to that.

[Anonymous]

I enjoy running, but think walking is great if you enjoy it.
But I do really think you should add in strength training and stretching twice a week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m 45yrs old and walk anywhere from 5-7miles a day. I would love to turn some of those Miles into a run but so far I haven’t found the motivation. I’m just wondering if 5-7miles is ok?

I think its amazing you do this much! I definitely wouldn't call this the bare minimum, you are doing way more than most people do. If you are able to comfortably walk 5-7 miles a day, I bet you could easily start running, if that is something you want to do. You can start by just saying to your self during your walks "I will run to the 4th mailbox down the street" and then walk for a bit afterwards. Then pick another milestone and run to it. Or you could just try and run a mile and see how it goes from there.

[Anonymous]

My kids' great grandfather walked 5 miles a day most of his life. In his 90s he was down to 1 mile and always very healthy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m 45yrs old and walk anywhere from 5-7miles a day. I would love to turn some of those Miles into a run but so far I haven’t found the motivation. I’m just wondering if 5-7miles is ok?

I think its amazing you do this much! I definitely wouldn't call this the bare minimum, you are doing way more than most people do. If you are able to comfortably walk 5-7 miles a day, I bet you could easily start running, if that is something you want to do. You can start by just saying to your self during your walks "I will run to the 4th mailbox down the street" and then walk for a bit afterwards. Then pick another milestone and run to it. Or you could just try and run a mile and see how it goes from there.

But why run instead? Running is painful.

[Anonymous]

Don't start running. It is terrible for you. You will end up with knee or hip surgery.

Keep walking and add in some core... crunches/pushups/planks.

Also add some arms/soulders, light weights.

Also add some hips... scissors, clamshells, hip lifts.

[Anonymous]

I hope it's ok, 'cause I've been doing it.

As a runner, I think that if you're happy walking 5 miles, there's no real reason to switch to running. Running is harder on the joints than walking, and as we get older, that's a bigger deal. (running = more impact.)

My goal is usually to cover about 8-10 miles by some means. On running days, I usually run 5-6 miles and walk another 4-5. On non-running days, I walk 5 miles and bike 5 miles.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't start running. It is terrible for you. You will end up with knee or hip surgery.

Keep walking and add in some core... crunches/pushups/planks.

Also add some arms/soulders, light weights.

Also add some hips... scissors, clamshells, hip lifts.

Many people run into their twilight years. Running is good for you unless you have a condition that doesn’t allow it. Saying that someone who runs will end up with knee or hip surgery is just ignorant.