Friday 1 September 2017

Check in time for the Walking Group

Hello. Here we are folks, the first day of September, the ninth month of our Walking Challenge, and it's a lovely sunny morning in North Lincolnshire. This is the time we all report in with our mileage. I thought I would dig out an old picture of my walking boots from about ten years ago. I was skint and couldn't afford proper boots, so I bought these from a car boot sale. Great big clodhoppers they are, so so heavy, but they did the job and I used them for day walks. They have steel toecaps so they are more suited as work boots. I still have them, but only use them for local walks in the winter. They are great for keeping my feet dry in the snow and rain. 
As this is mainly a money saving blog, I was thinking about the connections between walking and money saving. There are many good reasons to walk, exercise is the main one, to keep our bodies in tip top condition. As well as looking after our physical health, it's also good for the mind as well. Anytime you are fed up, bored, or upset about something, the best thing you can do is go out for a walk.Sitting around procrastinating is not good. A brisk walk in the fresh air, switching off from negative stuff and giving your senses new sights and sounds to absorb will help to put things into perspective. The mind and body works as one when exercising.

So how is that money saving? I see things in a simple way. If I am ill, I can go to the doctor. I might need medication. I am lucky that I don't have to pay for it because I am a pensioner. If I don't need to go to the doctor, it saves the NHS money. But if you are younger than pensionable age, whatever that is I have lost track, you have to pay for prescriptions. Tablets, lotions and potions will cost you money. So to save money, if you look after your health, you keep the cash in your purse.

It needn't cost anything to go for a walk. Any old pair of boots or trainers will do. Step out of your door and set yourself a time limit, say half an hour, or an hour. You can build that into your daily activities, like the two ladies I met at 6.30am this week, they walk every day before going to work. If I am busy during the day, I might fit an hour in there, or I might leave it until 9pm at night. The streets around me are lit up, the roads are quiet, and it gets me in the right frame of mind before I go to bed.

If you go to work, can you walk in your lunch break? Is there a park nearby? Can you walk to work if it isn't too far? If you don't like walking alone can you find a friend to accompany you? The only good reason for not walking is that you have a physical disability, which makes it impossible to walk. But hey, I read about people who have lost limbs, who learn to walk again with a prosthetic leg, how good is that. An inspiration to us all.

So, did you make an effort in August, and ask yourself, are you going to make an effort in September? I've picked out a few comments from the previous check in on the 1st of August.

613 so far off on town park walking group later which is an organized walk i do twice a week keep it up everyone its great

I have only been walking for 5 weeks but have managed to walk 154.50 miles and have lost 14 lb,

I walked 105 miles in July, which is more than I expected because we had some very hot and some very wet days.

Very slow recovery from knee problem but total mileage now 540 miles , hoping to make up the lost 40 miles

My total for July is 151 miles-quite pleased with myself!

I did 71 miles for July, not bad considering I was poorly for most of 1 week.

July 129 miles. Best month so far as had a week's holiday walking everywhere. 

Very wet and windy but still I'm out with the dogs walking drenched but loving it 

I was not able to increase my mileage as hoped in June and July due to some illness and some awful weather, but I'm pleased with the increase in my stamina

So there you are, lots of inspiration from our Walking Group members. It's working for them, now let's see how everyone is getting on. Check in on this post at any time during the month of September. 

Thanks for popping in, we'll catch up soon.
Toodle pip

55 comments:

  1. I will start off. I am on 800 miles. Ready to start the month with a fresh burst of enthusiasm.

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  2. Hi Ilona, my milage to date is 721 miles, I hope to do a bit more in the coming months.
    Thank you for inspiring us to keep at it
    Hazel Dxb

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  3. I did 143 miles in the month of August and down another 6 lbs, for a total of 20 lbs. So since June 24th I have walked over 307 miles........that is crazy, who knew this Fitbit would keep me this motivated and of course checking in with you guys!!

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  4. I had to consult a GP yesterday and was thankful I didn't have to pay the £8.60 per item. So grateful for the NHS. As you know Ilona I don't walk but my cycling miles are 2548 but wont be cycling until my UTI has fully cleared up

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    1. That's a fantastic mileage, Brenda. Get well soon.

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    2. thanks Ilona - doing a bit better today

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  5. Well done to all the walkers. I am not in the walking group but do walk a lot and was wondering how people measure their miles.
    Hazel c uk

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    1. Hi Hazel. I use MapMyRun. I just plot my route on it either before or after I have walked. I find it a really useful website.
      Jules

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    2. I track miles with my iPhone. Before I did that, I walked regular routes and would later drive them with my car to figure out a general idea of mileage.

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    3. I have a 2 and a 3 mile walk around my village, plotted on bikehike.co.uk If I do a longer walk I use a highlighter pen and mark it on an Ordnance Survey map, then transfer that onto bikehike, which adds it up.

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    4. I use a pedometer app on my phone.

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  6. Had hoped for a bit more but managed 115 miles in August. Total to date 692. Just about on target but I need to pick the pace up a little. Odette

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  7. I have doubled my number of walks to about 2 a day which comes to 4/5 extra walks a week at 15 minutes brisk walking ( getting hot by the end of each one). So my magic number this month is a total of 797 miles. I have also dropped a dress size which was not the aim but it's great to have done this too. Love this. Keep walking everyone. x

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  8. 79.5 miles in august, total this year 713. I have a few regular routes I have plotted on bike hike so I know how far I have walked.

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  9. 120 for me for August and I'm really pleased as I think that puts me on course for the year so far!

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  10. 93 miles in August, bringing me in for a total of 737 year to date. Thank you so much for organizing this adventure! Down 20 pounds since July 2016 and the only change was walking!

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  11. You are so right about the benefits of walking. I walk to work every day and usually back again. I call it my "thinking time". It gives me time to think so therefore helps body and mind. Well done to everyone who has taken on your walking challenge, I am sure everyone has done really well.

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  12. Solvitur ambulando "it is solved by walking". Sharon

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    1. I love that quote Sharon-I don't think I've heard it before.I just googled it and it's so interesting thanks x

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    2. That's really encouraged me today Sharon. Thanks Sue

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  13. Ilona: Have a question for you on the subject of walking - I am about a year younger than you, and both my knees are shot, so walking, especially like you do, is a wishful fantasy, The doctors here in the US are super anxious to do knee replacements; in fact, it is the most frequently performed surgery in the US! Is this procedure as popular in the UK? You are so fortunate with your health insurance there - on full retirement, my cost for health insurance (government provided) will be almost $200 per month! Thanks!

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    1. Yes, I believe knee surgery is carried out quite a lot here, but there are long waiting lists to have it done on the NHS. People tell me all the time that they can't walk very far because they have dodgy knees. Only last week I was talking to a friend here in the village. I said I was going to do a long walk, he said he couldn't do that because his knees are dodgy. This is a man who is in his early to mid fifties, and by my estimate he is three stone overweight. There lies his problem.

      Some Walking Forum members complain of painful knees, and they admit to carrying too much weight. I'm not saying this is the reason for everyone, but it can't help matters if a person is carrying a few extra bags of spuds around their middle.

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    2. Indeed, weight loss (by diet, not by walking only) is crucial for people with knee problem. It will save their knee from surgery and will solve some of their other health problems. For those who like walking, protect your knees with light cotton elastic braces. In the 0ne dollar shops they sell a chinese brand named Enolla. I'm addicted to them.

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  14. During August I walked 79 miles.I'm sure it was more than that but I didn't put my pedometre on each time.I was away for 3 weeks so I walked more than usual-at least 3 hours each day up and down hills.I agree with you Ilona about the health benefits of walking.I can get anxious and worry a lot but walking more often than not, is the remedy for me. x

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  15. I did 103 miles in August and am quite happy with that.

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  16. Managed 3 miles everyday this month so 93 making a total of 706 there were some hot days and some wet days but i kept going hope you've all had a good month.Think I'm on track to make it best of luck everyone Kath

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  17. Improving a bit - about 53 and a half in August and total to date 591. Still not up to standard but without Ilona and the group's inspiration, I'd have slipped even further behind. So thanks everyone! Vicki in the East Riding

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    1. The only standard is your own. Don't be pressured by other people's targets or achievements. Ilona repeatedly says not to worry about anyone else's total.
      Just think that 591 is probably more than many people walk in 10 years. Well done! Sue

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  18. Hi Ilona, 106 miles in August bringing total to 683, well done everyone.

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  19. Well done you walkers....most inspiring. Is the aim to walk 100 miles a month ? What good advice you give Ilona......"every journey begins with a single step".
    Metta.

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    1. The challenge is to walk 1000 miles in a year. Country Walking magazine started it.
      http://www.livefortheoutdoors.com/walk1000miles

      I finished it last year on December the 17th. This year I have made a new challenge for myself, to walk 100 miles a month.

      People can choose their own challenges if they like, or stick with the original 1000 miles.

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    2. Thankyou for your prompt reply Ilona. Do you recommend a Fitbit ?

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    3. Fitbits do seem popular, those who have them say they are a good motivator. Comparison tests have been done between the most popular gadgets and discrepancies occurred between them. Accuracy is not 100%, however, they give you a benchmark to work from, so if you regularly use the same one, you will have a good record of your progress, and it will spur you on to better your results.

      I am not a gadget person, my motivation comes from within. Whatever you use , if it helps you keep on track, it's got to be a good thing.

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    4. Thankyou again Ilona...it's most kind of you to take time/trouble to comment & I appreciate this.

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  20. Well done everyone. I'm sure like me there are days when going out walking is the last thing you have time for or fancy. However I often enjoy these walks better and certainly come home in a better frame of mind.
    I love reading about your long distance alms Ilona.
    My total so far is 748 miles. I had hoped to reach 800 but it's not to be. Today is a new start and we are away soon so maybe I can do better next month. (I am competing against myself, not anyone else by the way!). Sue

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  21. I am very pleased as I've managed 60 miles this month. June and July were poor months for me, I had lost motivation and was busy with other time consuming activities. I felt a bit lost with it and was finding it a chore to go out when I wanted to be doing other things. This month I have regained motivation and am happy with my result. Thanks for the walking tips Ilona, I like being part of the group as it is supportive and gives me something to aim for. I absolutely recommend walking for mental health issues, I have OCD and it really helps me with this. I also like that walking is free and I don't have to care about what I look like when I'm doing it. Gyms intimidate me and I don't want to be paying direct debits every month, plus I like exercising out of doors and enjoying the local area. I bought some good quality Clarks trainers around ten years ago and they are still going strong, this was money well spent.

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    1. You've done really good Kate.I too find walking helps me tremendously.It takes the focus onto walking rather than what I'm worrying about and somehow everything's brighter.x

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  22. Checking in, Sonja North Carolina, USA. August miles = 86 for a total of 868.62
    Really love this challenge, thank you! February saw me diagnosed with a new medical issue which is exacerbated by age & weight. Weight is one thing I can control! I see walking & the challenge to do it as well as the support we get & give here as a huge benefit. Thx Sonja

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  23. once again, I missed the last link up. So for July I did 93 and August 90. For a total of 761 as of September 1. I probably did a little more maybe 20 miles as we were hiking /camping in August but since my Fitbit died I only use Runtastic on my phone so all my walks are recorded. But I'm on track for a little over a 1000 for this year so I'm pleased. And my health (cancer remission) is still good. yeah!!

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  24. Hell Ilona, a poor month for me on the walking front as I have been quite poorly for 2 weeks, but I'm soldiering on!
    54 miles for August, making a total for the year of 540 miles.
    I'm hoping for better health this month and some longer walks to get my average up, I so want to make it 1000 miles in 2017!
    Well done to everyone who is still walking - I'm telling myself any distance is better than none at all.

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  25. Hello everyone
    Total miles for August 105 ; running total 656 miles , knee also miles better :-)
    Shelly x

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  26. 97 kilometres in August for me, making a total of 749 kilometres.
    Cheers,

    Jeanneke.

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  27. My total for August is 102 miles. Spring has finally arrived so I can get more walking done after work!
    Michele from Australia

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  28. I walked 66.3 for August. My year to date is 520.5. Thanks for the motivation Ilona.
    Margaret in Maryland

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  29. I just read through all the comments! How fantastic to see so many folks walking. Congratulations to everyone! I am so happy to be part of this group, when I go walking in the morning, I think of people all over doing the same thing, when it was cold for Ilona, it was super hot here in Arizona, yet we all kept on trying. Ilona, a million thanks for getting us moving.

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  30. Are you doing it next year as I'd love to join in especially as I've given up work but not quite on my pension yet - just existing on my husbands so would be healthy cheap entertainment option x

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    1. Hi. You don't have to wait for next year, you can start now. The official start date is the 1st of January, but you can choose your own date.

      There is no point in doing the walking challenge for one year, then giving up, all the good work will be undone. To get the most benefit it's ongoing, walking is forever.

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  31. 91 for August. When I do my walks, I always think that I'm not alone - a good feeling! Natalie

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  32. So true Ilona. Walking is the best way to see the world:)

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  33. Hi Ilona. Miles walked this month is 160.5. Giving me a total for the year so far of 1187.5.

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  34. Not sure of my over all total but I did 101 miles in August thanks to my teacher hubby being on holiday and good weather meaning we got out and about most days.

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  35. Hello. I walked 112 miles in August making a total of 925. A mixed bag this month with some long day walks then some slower blackberry picking walks recently. Enjoy September everyone. Sarah.

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  36. Hello everyone! I managed to walk 105 km in August, so my total so far is 750km. I agree with Natalie and Hilogene that knowing you are part of a worldwide walking group feels great!

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  37. Best month so far due to two weeks off work. 153 miles in August (988 to date). Don't think I'll be able to beat that again this year. Feel so much better for walking more.

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  38. I didn´t check-in for husband Wences during September as we were away but his total was 253 miles and 1525 miles so far this year.

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