6 ms·

The importance of walking can not be overstated. Walking for 30 mins every other day will dramatically improve your life if you are sedentary. If you can't do

by johsole 1mo ago

The importance of walking can not be overstated. Walking for 30 mins every other day will dramatically improve your life if you are sedentary. If you can't do 30 minutes, start with 15.

sublinear 1mo ago
Lifting weights also helps. I'd argue that if someone wants to go beyond walking into running or even jogging, they ought to get their strength up so they don't have blood sugar crashes or cramps. It's never a bad idea to gain some muscle.
- intrasight 1mo ago
  And don't drink alcohol
  - steve_adams_86 1mo ago
    I'm not a drinker, but I think we shouldn't be so strict about it. I usually have a drink once every few months or so, and frankly I don't really care about the impact it has on my health. I suspect it's so minuscule as to not matter at all in the scheme of things. Same with eating deep fried food. Especially if it's a food that's otherwise quite healthy. A bit of hot oil isn't going to be your undoing. Just don't make these things a habit. Enjoy a bit of indulgence, but be honest with yourself: is this once per month thing becoming a once per week thing, or a once every few days thing? Daily? Don't do that. Recognize vice. But don't be so strict that you never allow anything remotely unhealthy. Humans aren't great at abstinence. Having said that, there's a reason I don't drink more often and it's because it really is terrible for you. I agree, haha. Just, don't pretend you'll never do bad things ever again. Unless you have far more willpower than I do — that's entirely possible.
    - intrasight 1mo ago
      It is an issue of moderation. The problem is that the science says the only safe level is none and people are not so good at moderating. My current level is one beer a week. My goal is to scale that back to one a month.
  - KPGv2 1mo ago
    Also stay out of the sun. Better yet, just do a treadmill inside. No skin cancer that way.
    - intrasight 1mo ago
      As long as indoor air quality is good
jr3592 1mo ago
Had an uncle who swore by this. He died at 57 of ALS. That obviously doesn't mean walking is bad, I just mean to point out that even those people who believe in it as a silver bullet, can be hit with something totally out of left field. Life is really quite brutish and short. You can do all the right things, and die early. All the wrong things, and live a long time. Take care of yourself for sure, but also find a balance and enjoy your life.
- BXLE_1-1-BitIs1 1mo ago
  You can do everything right and get taken out by an accident. So far I've dodged a loose trailer that came off next to me going the opposite direction, a rock dislodged by a marmot from the cliff above, two drunk drivers drifting towards me, a city bus turning towards me on an icy road, a few other left turning drivers who didn't see me in a crosswalk (I now carry a high intensity pulsing flashlight for crossing at intersections) and two near misses when a gust upset my glider.
  - switchbak 1mo ago
    I was almost taken out by two rogue kayaks being towed behind an oblivious truck driver. If I get taken out, I want it to be while I'm saving kids from an angry bear, not something stupid like ^
    - coldtea 1mo ago
      >I was almost taken out by two rogue kayaks being towed behind an oblivious truck driver. Wow! That's some luck! Movie night suggestion: Final Destination 1 and 2
- striking 1mo ago
  Fine. But walking is also just kind of nice and unobtrusive for most people. I'd understand if you were replying to someone telling you to do strength training, but I'd argue walking is just pleasant.
- Aurornis 1mo ago
scottious 1mo ago
For those who are inclined, I recommend running instead (even if you think you aren't a runner) My body has been completely transformed from 15 years of running. I'm 5'7" and 135 pounds at age 41. My face looks thin, I have a better body than most 20 year olds. I gave myself the best gift that I could possibly give myself. If they could distill 15 years of running (5x per week) and put it in pill form, I truly believe it would be the most valuable thing medicine has ever created. All it takes is 45 minutes per day for 5 days per week. And you can actually have fun while doing it! It takes a long time to get to that point but it's so worth it.
- phainopepla2 1mo ago
  For those who are a bit intimidated by the thought of starting running, especially if you are a bit older, you don't need to run hard or fast. Slow jogging (zone 2) results in great cardiovascular improvements. Don't be afraid to start by alternating jogging and walking. And if you can't spare 45 minutes 5 days per week, do it 3 days a week instead. Something is better than nothing.
  - sieste 1mo ago
    The couch to 5k programme is now routinely recommended by GPs in the UK (and elsewhere), a very positive development in health care in my opinion. https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/get-active/get-running-with-couch-to-5k/ https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/get-active/get-running-with...
- msie 1mo ago
  All it takes? Omg, why not do it every day if you’re going to do it 5 days a week? 3 days a week sounds more reasonable.
  - scottious 1mo ago
    I actually do run every day. I've only missed about 4 days so far this year. Anyway, 3 days of running per week is certainly better than 0.
- 1mo ago
npras1 1mo ago
Walking is great, and you should do it for reasons other than cardio/circulation health too (walk in nature, rest for eyes, ankle strength, socialising, touch-grass moment etc). But if you're doing it primarily for health, there's one other thing I'd suggest. High rep bodyweight squats and lunges. If you build up to it very gradually there's no risk of hurting your knees. It's the best example of "motion is lotion". After a few months of daily squats, climbing stairs will feel effortless. I'm 40 and I can tell you you'll notice the difference. A 100 squats at relaxed pace takes about 5 minutes for me. 10 mins for 150. 100 walking lunges in 10 mins. There's no hurry/competition. You can take your time to catch your breath. I've done 250 or so in 30 mins once every 2 or 3 weeks. But I feel that's not conducive to daily work. I get tired. Once you get acquainted to this to the point where a 100 reps of squats/lunges don't make you sore the next day, or hurt the joints, then the heart rate you achieve from this will be similar to a relaxed zone 2 run. And the health benefits are similar to walking. improved blood sugar and blood pressure. My goal is to be able to do this for 20 to 30 mins twice or thrice a week. That might be some 300 to 400 squats. I've been doing his way of training for a few years now, and I love it because this is what has be train consistently. not going to gym or tracks, or playing sports. I like this, and recommend this over walking to anyone who can't seem to get the time to walk because it takes less time to get similar health benefit, doesn't need space/dressing-up/socialising/commute. If you want info on this, kboges on youtube is the man. here are his amazing squat/legs related videos: - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guG1LT7ejDU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guG1LT7ejDU - he does 525 reps in one set. says it took him 20 mins - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWXToSCaq-Q https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWXToSCaq-Q - he does 100 constant tension squats in 2 mins - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0euDDJu6GnQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0euDDJu6GnQ - deep knee bends, aka hindu squats - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqNP_PiEalg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqNP_PiEalg - his take on squats busting your knees ofc, not a doctor, dyor, listen for sharp pains etc and progress very slowly if you don't want to get hurt! you have your whole life to improve, so there's no hurry.

by johsole 1mo ago

The importance of walking can not be overstated. Walking for 30 mins every other day will dramatically improve your life if you are sedentary. If you can't do 30 minutes, start with 15.

sublinear 1mo ago

Lifting weights also helps. I'd argue that if someone wants to go beyond walking into running or even jogging, they ought to get their strength up so they don't have blood sugar crashes or cramps. It's never a bad idea to gain some muscle.

intrasight 1mo ago
And don't drink alcohol
- steve_adams_86 1mo ago
  I'm not a drinker, but I think we shouldn't be so strict about it. I usually have a drink once every few months or so, and frankly I don't really care about the impact it has on my health. I suspect it's so minuscule as to not matter at all in the scheme of things. Same with eating deep fried food. Especially if it's a food that's otherwise quite healthy. A bit of hot oil isn't going to be your undoing. Just don't make these things a habit. Enjoy a bit of indulgence, but be honest with yourself: is this once per month thing becoming a once per week thing, or a once every few days thing? Daily? Don't do that. Recognize vice. But don't be so strict that you never allow anything remotely unhealthy. Humans aren't great at abstinence. Having said that, there's a reason I don't drink more often and it's because it really is terrible for you. I agree, haha. Just, don't pretend you'll never do bad things ever again. Unless you have far more willpower than I do — that's entirely possible.
  - intrasight 1mo ago
    It is an issue of moderation. The problem is that the science says the only safe level is none and people are not so good at moderating. My current level is one beer a week. My goal is to scale that back to one a month.
- KPGv2 1mo ago
  Also stay out of the sun. Better yet, just do a treadmill inside. No skin cancer that way.
  - intrasight 1mo ago
    As long as indoor air quality is good

jr3592 1mo ago

Had an uncle who swore by this. He died at 57 of ALS. That obviously doesn't mean walking is bad, I just mean to point out that even those people who believe in it as a silver bullet, can be hit with something totally out of left field. Life is really quite brutish and short. You can do all the right things, and die early. All the wrong things, and live a long time. Take care of yourself for sure, but also find a balance and enjoy your life.

BXLE_1-1-BitIs1 1mo ago
You can do everything right and get taken out by an accident. So far I've dodged a loose trailer that came off next to me going the opposite direction, a rock dislodged by a marmot from the cliff above, two drunk drivers drifting towards me, a city bus turning towards me on an icy road, a few other left turning drivers who didn't see me in a crosswalk (I now carry a high intensity pulsing flashlight for crossing at intersections) and two near misses when a gust upset my glider.
- switchbak 1mo ago
  I was almost taken out by two rogue kayaks being towed behind an oblivious truck driver. If I get taken out, I want it to be while I'm saving kids from an angry bear, not something stupid like ^
  - coldtea 1mo ago
    >I was almost taken out by two rogue kayaks being towed behind an oblivious truck driver. Wow! That's some luck! Movie night suggestion: Final Destination 1 and 2
striking 1mo ago
Fine. But walking is also just kind of nice and unobtrusive for most people. I'd understand if you were replying to someone telling you to do strength training, but I'd argue walking is just pleasant.
Aurornis 1mo ago

scottious 1mo ago

For those who are inclined, I recommend running instead (even if you think you aren't a runner) My body has been completely transformed from 15 years of running. I'm 5'7" and 135 pounds at age 41. My face looks thin, I have a better body than most 20 year olds. I gave myself the best gift that I could possibly give myself. If they could distill 15 years of running (5x per week) and put it in pill form, I truly believe it would be the most valuable thing medicine has ever created. All it takes is 45 minutes per day for 5 days per week. And you can actually have fun while doing it! It takes a long time to get to that point but it's so worth it.

phainopepla2 1mo ago
For those who are a bit intimidated by the thought of starting running, especially if you are a bit older, you don't need to run hard or fast. Slow jogging (zone 2) results in great cardiovascular improvements. Don't be afraid to start by alternating jogging and walking. And if you can't spare 45 minutes 5 days per week, do it 3 days a week instead. Something is better than nothing.
- sieste 1mo ago
  The couch to 5k programme is now routinely recommended by GPs in the UK (and elsewhere), a very positive development in health care in my opinion. https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/get-active/get-running-with-couch-to-5k/ https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/get-active/get-running-with...
msie 1mo ago
All it takes? Omg, why not do it every day if you’re going to do it 5 days a week? 3 days a week sounds more reasonable.
- scottious 1mo ago
  I actually do run every day. I've only missed about 4 days so far this year. Anyway, 3 days of running per week is certainly better than 0.
1mo ago

npras1 1mo ago

Walking is great, and you should do it for reasons other than cardio/circulation health too (walk in nature, rest for eyes, ankle strength, socialising, touch-grass moment etc). But if you're doing it primarily for health, there's one other thing I'd suggest. High rep bodyweight squats and lunges. If you build up to it very gradually there's no risk of hurting your knees. It's the best example of "motion is lotion". After a few months of daily squats, climbing stairs will feel effortless. I'm 40 and I can tell you you'll notice the difference. A 100 squats at relaxed pace takes about 5 minutes for me. 10 mins for 150. 100 walking lunges in 10 mins. There's no hurry/competition. You can take your time to catch your breath. I've done 250 or so in 30 mins once every 2 or 3 weeks. But I feel that's not conducive to daily work. I get tired. Once you get acquainted to this to the point where a 100 reps of squats/lunges don't make you sore the next day, or hurt the joints, then the heart rate you achieve from this will be similar to a relaxed zone 2 run. And the health benefits are similar to walking. improved blood sugar and blood pressure. My goal is to be able to do this for 20 to 30 mins twice or thrice a week. That might be some 300 to 400 squats. I've been doing his way of training for a few years now, and I love it because this is what has be train consistently. not going to gym or tracks, or playing sports. I like this, and recommend this over walking to anyone who can't seem to get the time to walk because it takes less time to get similar health benefit, doesn't need space/dressing-up/socialising/commute. If you want info on this, kboges on youtube is the man. here are his amazing squat/legs related videos: - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guG1LT7ejDU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guG1LT7ejDU - he does 525 reps in one set. says it took him 20 mins - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWXToSCaq-Q https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWXToSCaq-Q - he does 100 constant tension squats in 2 mins - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0euDDJu6GnQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0euDDJu6GnQ - deep knee bends, aka hindu squats - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqNP_PiEalg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqNP_PiEalg - his take on squats busting your knees ofc, not a doctor, dyor, listen for sharp pains etc and progress very slowly if you don't want to get hurt! you have your whole life to improve, so there's no hurry.