Walking to work

frivolous_fay

TAG wrote: »

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

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

tomstickland wrote: »

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
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

Philip624 wrote: »

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!

Philip624 wrote: »

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!!!