Walking to work

[Philip624]

Following this weeks tube strike I have been walking to work in London, from Liverpool Street to Whitehall. I estimate this is around 2.5 miles. It is taking me 45 minutes at a brisk pace, only 10-15 minutes longer than taking the tube.

I am considering doing this full time, i.e walking this distance to and from work, twice a day. This would save me £580 a year.

Having done the journey three times now, walking to and from Liverpool Street on Tuesday, and to work from Liverpool Street this morning. I do not feel out of breath or particularly tired. It is only after this morning’s walk that I have felt some stiffness in my back and legs, but it’s not too bad.

My question is really, would doing this walk every day, 5 days a week be a good idea from a health point of view aside form the financial benefit. I am 33, have always been in good health, no heart problems, and have only put a few pounds on since entering my 30s. I weigh around 11 stone 3, and am 5ft 7.

If it is a good idea what changes to my diet should I look to make. I probably don’t eat enough at lunchtime or have the time for breakfast. I should also add that in addition to this walk, I have a 15 mins walk to and from my home station each day, so that’s another 30 minutes walking.

[frivolous_fay]

Good for you. You don't sound overweight to me.... certainly not very, if at all.

If you were seeking to burn off some fat ideally you'd keep your calorie intake low, but increase your exertion. (As you have done) If you're happy as you are, you might want to make sure you get breakfast, some kind of carbs, cereal, grains or toast to give you a boost. The stiffness will pass and be replaced with toned muscle :D

[suffolkb]

When I was a civil servant, they had a `look after your heart` campaign where you could have an interest free loan to buy a bicycle. Maybe stopped now, but have you considered one of those folding bikes (Bickerton?). Quicker than walking. Probably quicker than the tube as well. And won`t go on strike.

[Philip624]

thanks fay and suffolk.

yes i think some cereal for breakfast will be in order.

It really has been an epiphany for me this tube strike, i actually feel energised for doing the walk and I think this way ill be getting regular daily fitness without having to do anything after work. My only concern was is this too much to take on initally, should i ease myself into it, by just doing it one way.

Im motivated enough to get through the stiffness period and will definately be walking again tonight even though the tubes are back running. Im still able to get my usual trains and I know it will take me exactly the same amount of time each day.

Re the bike idea, im not sure I would brave the roads in london adn to be honest I prefer walking, its free and less stressful.

[TAG]

Think about it this way........ how often do you see a 'fat' postman?

Walking is one of the best forms of excercise that you can do. l think you'll find that it's recommended people do at least 30 minutes of excercise a day five times a week.

If it's saving you money as well as keeping you fit and healthy go for it.

[Philip624]

thanks all. I can only see positives from this. I will still keep an oyster card with a bit of credit if i need to get home early or the weather is really appalling but if i start now ill be used to it by winter. I thought it was a good idea but just wanted some others views, and youve convinced me it still is a good idea.

[suffolkb]

Can`t do links, but do a search for "walk london" on the main page. Martin has found a site that plots a walking route in London between 2 points. It claims your journey is 2.3 miles - depending on which end of Whitehall you work.
Cycling in London is pretty safe. You will be going faster than the traffic - except motorbikes.

[frivolous_fay]

This got me thinking... I moved house last month and I've started cycling to work, although before I got hold of a bike I was walking.

Which would be the optimum form of exercise on the way to work - a 45 minute brisk walk (colour to the cheeks, not panting!) or a 10-15 minute cycle (no significant hills, but I go as fast as possible and work up a sweat)

Considerations...

- calorie burning
- cardio-vascular benefits
- muscle toning (bum and thighs, please!)
- it's a very dull walk!

Theories welcome! :D

[TAG]

Why not switch between the two? One week cycle 2 days and walk 3, next week vice versa.

[cattie]

Well done for deciding to walk. Before I became ill & unable to work I walked to work for years, approx 45-50 mins each way, no matter what the weather. It kept me very fit & in very good shape. I also used to go for a walk during lunch time.

Walking is one of the best exercises you can take, & like you are finding, while you may lose lbs from your figure, your pocket gains £'s.

If you enjoy the walking, then carry on, but if not then don't force yourself is what I think I'd say.

[PasturesNew]

around 2.5 miles...would doing this walk every day, 5 days a week be a good idea from a health point of view
Give or take, doing it both ways is probably meeting your "steps per day" quota. That's about 5-6 miles

[frivolous_fay]

Why not switch between the two? One week cycle 2 days and walk 3, next week vice versa.

I'm thinking about it... but it's really not a very nice walk :/

Much nicer when you cycle as you don't have to look at it for so long :D

[tomstickland]

Walking is very good exercise.
If your numbers are correct you're doing 3.3 mph. A brisk walker should manage almost double that. Maybe you're allowing for crowds etc and it's a bit further.

Back in the early 90s I used to walk from Gloucester train station back to Quedgeley in 45-50 minutes. According to Google maps that's 4.2 miles. Yes, 5.7mph.

[Savvy_Sue]

If your numbers are correct you're doing 3.3 mph. A brisk walker should manage almost double that. I don't think so ...

I always reckoned that 3 mph on foot was 'average', but DH reckons 4 mph is 'brisk'. I've just googled it and t'internet agrees with us both ...

[Philip624]

well i di it in 40 minutes today, 2.3 miles, I am definately walking faster than usual but pavements in london are crowded, that probably slows me by a minute or two as there isnt many roads to cross either. I think its brisk-ish.

[frivolous_fay]

Pretty good! Based on my ropey cartography, I reckon my route is 1.8 miles. (And I'm slower :rotfl:) According to the AA, if I drove (without taking shortcuts etc and avoiding a hill) it would be 2.1 miles, so 1.8 probably isn't far off.

[Savvy_Sue]

It's worth looking at how you walk: I was out with DS2 yesterday and although I wouldn't say he walks fast, he really stretches his legs on each stride, so I was having to trot to keep up with him ... :rotfl:

I am sure he was only doing this because he didn't want to be seen with me, of course ...

[Philip624]

ok guys heres another issue - sweat. its an office job I do and I dont really have time to shower at work and change, besides if i did so id have to carry clothes to work adding more weight. I always wear 100% cotton shirts

I dont wear my tie and it hasnt been too bad getting in although this morning felt the warmest. I shower every morning before leaving and was thinking ill keep some deoderant at work. Fortunately offices are air-conditioned and before i reach the office i give myself a quick blast from the hot air hand dryers whcih does the trick.

Im wondering as I keep doing this and over time it shouldnt feel like quite so much effort will i find I sweat less? I know we are coming into autumn so it will be less of an issue anyways. Also im sure I have read before of alink between diet and sweat, i.e should I drink more water en-route?

Grateful for your views.

[dearbarbie]

go to www.walkit.com (http://www.walkit.com)
I started walking home last week - 2 miles is almost 200 calories!
I don't eat before I get to work, but have a snack in the afternoon and a banana mid-morning...

[frivolous_fay]

ok guys heres another issue - sweat. its an office job I do and I dont really have time to shower at work and change, besides if i did so id have to carry clothes to work adding more weight. I always wear 100% cotton shirts

I bring in smart trousers on Monday, leave them in the office at the end of each day, and bring in a fresh top each morning. I carry a small rucksack. I have an advantage in that I don't wear shirts and my tops can tolerate being stuffed in a bag without looking awful!

I wear lycra (mm) and either a cotton t-shirt or synthetic wicking top for the journey. You could get away with something looser for the walk - in fact I wore my work trousers when I walked. The trouble is with cotton tops that they just soak up moisture and trap it next to your skin (depending on how loose the top is)

We don't have showers, but I can get away with sitting around in my travel gear until I've cooled down a bit and can change!

Im wondering as I keep doing this and over time it shouldnt feel like quite so much effort will i find I sweat less? I know we are coming into autumn so it will be less of an issue anyways. Also im sure I have read before of alink between diet and sweat, i.e should I drink more water en-route?

It's important to drink enough water so that you don't lose too much through sweat. It's the exertion raising your body temperature that makes you sweat in the first place so I imagine the situation won't change much, although at least you'll be cooler later in the year.

[Cazzdevil]

It's a bit of a no-brainer to be honest, of course walking 5 miles each day is going to do you good! :T

Government guidelines say everyone should do at least 20 minutes of exercise per day so you'd be exceeding this very healthily. Walking is one of the best forms of exercise; it's low impact, doesn't have to get you sweaty and breathless, and is fantastic for toning.

Go for it!!!