Walkin'
 

In January, I decided to start walking on my breaks at work. I probably do about a mile on my morning break, and another mile on my afternoon break. I'm blessed in that I can do it all indoors, we actually have a designated walking area indoors at work, and I guestimate that it is about a quarter mile, so 4 lengths, or 2 laps, is roughly a mile. There's also a 1.5 mile track around the lake at work that I use in good weather.

At first, it absolutely killed my back. I'd start to get thigh rash at the end of a mile. But three months in, I'm starting to see some real benefits. First, I've dropped some fat. I was about 285 when I started walking, and now I'm about 290, but I was squeezing into 40" jeans, and now they are hanging baggy. Thighs, butt, waist, all have shrunk. My stamina has gone up tremendously too. I used to do 30 minutes of cardio on Fridays at the gym and that was about my limit. Now I do 2.5 hours of cardio on Fridays. And that is BEFORE weight lifting. (And my Friday workout entails benching 385 lbs. in 3 sets for 4 reps.) My back no longer hurts. My appetite has gone down.

I use the time walking to think. I check in on my work Blackberry to ensure that there are no emergencies. I've used the time to prioritize and plan my day. I've used the time to ponder technical problems. I've used the time to consider if there are any additional ways I can investigate a problem. I've used the time to mull over strained working relationships. I actually decided one day to invite a coworker out to lunch to discuss our interpersonal issues. It went very well. I started by telling him that I realized there were some things that I needed to take responsibility for, but he needed to let me know about them in a less abrasive manner. (I think the fact that I led off by telling him he was right helped tremendously.)

It's a nice time to de-stress and work through the issues of the day. I feel like taking these twice daily timeouts allow me to be MUCH more productive with my day.

Wow, that's really great! It's good to hear that you've dropped in size, and apparently built some muscle.

I bought rollerblades a year ago in November, and still rollerblade several times a week. I take my dog with me. It's the only way I can wear her out. Actually, I don't think I ever wear her out. She gets hot before she gets tired. It's definitely evident looking at my legs, and my stamina is also up.

I saw the above and just had to read the thread, got excited just reading.

Seriously though, Can't wait for the snow to go so I can get the road bike out. I hate walking but do a lot of thinking as I ride.

I do about 5 miles a night walking and cant believe the benefits. Its a lot easier on the back and knees than running and a great time to sort problems and think things through.

Excellent. I started walking most evenings 3 and a bit years ago. :D

You get breaks?

Most of the time. I used to take my morning break to go and get an iced tea (coffee makes me too jittery). Now I bring it from home and use my morning break to walk.

Most days I spend working on a series of small, non-urgent problems or trying to anticipate the big issues before they occur. Of course, if there are serious problems, the breaks get forgotten.

Must be a union thing... ;)

Sounds like some doubly productive time work and healthwise.

Oh, and you might not have noticed, but I rarely post on Pelican during the work day anymore...

I too walk, great for clearing the head, and when my knee is acting up,, it is safer for me than riding..

I started walking a lot more as well. My wife and I are business partners, and both contribute to child care with our 9 month-old daughter. I've got one of those metal frame backpack child carriers that I use, and I pack her around for about an hour during the time that I'm "on-duty". I've worked out a lot in the past, but walking with her in the pack seems to shed more fat than much more intense forms of exercise.

As you say, it really is time well for all of the reasons you listed.

Good for you Chris.

I started walking in Jan, 2 miles/day. Although I can't say I've dropped any weight, 250 is still 250, I feel much better, sleep better, and have a better attitude. Best time is just over 27 minutes. Up hill and down hill. Much better than the Elliptical machine.

Karl
88 Targa

You gained 5 pounds?

Perhaps you can walk a 5k, 10k, half marathon or a full marathon. I've walked all of them and it takes between 45 minutes to 9 1/2 hours but you do a lot of thinking when you are walking...

:)

Chris,
Excellent! I'm glad to hear you're doing well!!

muscle is denser than fat, you can gain weight and get skinnier and visa versa

When I was going to school in SF, doing a lot of miles on the bike up and down hills, I weighed about 5 or 10 lbs more than I do now. My waist is two inches bigger and my thighs and calves are puny now. I was mighty fit, about 5% body fat, probably closer to 15 now.

Back then my thighs were about as big as my waist, which made it tough to buy pants.

Good job Chris. Stretch your calves before and after you walk. If you can, have socks and walking or running shoes at the office to use for your daily constitutional.

You will sleep better too, if you walk every day like that.