With the onset of the new year newspapers are full of exercise and diet plans. Many are advising us to take up running. This is not necessarily a good thing. I personally am of the “no pain, no pain” school of thought and you can burn just as many calories by walking as jogging without the added strain on your body. I only have to look at most of the joggers I see in my local park to know that they are going to cause long term injuries to themselves. I have many friends with injuries after taking up training for marathons and triathlons owing to the excess pressure put on their joints and according to a physiotherapist friend of mine the three most stressful exercises on the body are running, spinning and Bikram yoga. Another doctor I know has said that bodies over the age of 20 are not designed to run. So I think it’s safe to say that at our age, walking is the best form of exercise.
By definition, when you are running you at some point in your stride have both feet off the ground. This is what creates the impact. When you walk, the pressure is four times greater through your lumbar spine, whereas when you run it is twenty times greater and there is a growing body of evidence to suggest that walking is actually one of the best forms of exercise for both body and brain.
My friend Clive Lathey, an osteopath was recently quoted in the Daily Mail:-
‘If you look at the pelvis, the sacroiliac joint in the lower back, and the S-shaped curve of the spine, they are designed for shock-absorbing vertical force. We’re well adapted to walking. What we’re not adapted to is spending lots of time sitting down in cars and at computers — that tightens and weakens the muscles in the back.’
You can still get a good cardiovascular work out if you walk fast and up hills and especially if you aim to walk on uneven ground – it helps not only strengthen your muscles but improve your balance. In addition, walking outside is not only a free form of exercise but communing with nature is known to provide a positive effect on the brain — “things you experience through the senses such as the eyes and the nose have an effect on the brain.’
So. Don’t be disheartened if you don’t like running. Get out and walk. Far more enjoyable.
Tara
January 19, 2012Well this fills me with joy. I hate running. With a passion.
As a big boobed girl I have to strap myself up with 2 bras before I can even consider it and quite apart from that I just don’t enjoy it.
Walking now I love. And I’ve just get a dog so I have to walk every day; up hill and down dale.
So this post has made my day!
Family Affairs
January 19, 2012Hooray! Even better with a dog. Just make sure you walk quite fast with long strides and up and down dales! Lx
kelloggsville
January 19, 2012I wrote a post about walking at the start of the month but haven’t posted it because I’ve been feeling a bit low seeing so many new year runners around. Your post really cheered me up today so I’ve published mine too and back linked you. Thank you for making me smile x
Family Affairs
January 20, 2012Woohoo – good for you – coming over to check it out now Lx
Family Affairs
January 20, 2012Woohoo – thats very good – popping over to see it right now! Lx
Karin
January 19, 2012I’m surprised by the Bikram yoga on the “most stressful” list. Is it because the stretching in the heat is too intense? – I’ve never done Bikram, but am I believer in/lover of yoga in general. And what about Pilates – do you enjoy it less than you do walking, or is it just different?
Family Affairs
January 20, 2012I assume because of the heat aspect yes – not something that should be done regularly I gather….having said that I’ve never done it. I must get that confirmed by my yoga friend. Pilates is exceedingly good for you when done correctly. But essentially it needs to be done in conjunction with other forms of exercise for the body to benefit overall – otherwise you will have a strong core but not enough cardiovascular work out x
Family Affairs
January 20, 2012That’s great – I’m coming over to read it now – hope I haven’t left this comment three times – keep losing it! Lx
Family Affairs
January 20, 2012I assume because of the heat factor – you shouldn’t do it too regularly – I’ll ask my yoga friend about that for more information. Pilates is excellent – very strengthening for the core, but needs to be done in conjunction with other forms of exercise for full benefit Lx
Expat Mum
January 20, 2012Because of back problems I was advised never to run again (hurrah!). I now speed-walk on an uphill incline or time on the elliptical, both of which have me sweating bullets and I feel great. (OK, not great, but smug.)
And I see you’re leading us in a class at BritMums Live?
Family Affairs
January 20, 2012I know. Thats a worry isn’t it – but very excited to see we’re both on the list of speakers. Lx
Family Affairs
January 20, 2012Excellent. Yes, I know. Isn’t that a worry for you all. Very excited that we are both on the speaker list though too! Lx
LostAtSea
January 21, 2012Well, shoot. I come to check back in to your blog after a small hiatus, only to find out we disagree! Fact is, I love running. It’s walking I can’t stand–I never feel like I’m getting anywhere fast enough, speed walking just looks wrong and unnatural, and it takes twice as long to get the same workout…Of course, that is just because running has always come fairly easy to me (unlike Tara, I am closer to a no-boobs girl, so no trouble there!), and I find it a great stress relief. Stopped for a while after moving, and can’t handle the freezing cold winters in my new locale, but just joined a gym, and thanks to the treadmill, am up and running again. Nothing like a good run to burn off a day’s frustrations and just let it all out. But that’s me! Hope the new year is treating you well, FA.
Family Affairs
January 21, 2012Good for you. I’m not saying don’t do it – if your body is used to running then it’s fine. Just don’t take it up in middle age….of course walking, for lots of people is immensely boring. Happy New Year to you too Lx
Eclipse
January 23, 2012Went to a killer exercise class last week. My teacher called it BBP (B = Brazilian (Brazilian butt lift), B = Bumba (her version of zumba.., P = Pilates) my legs were still shaking involuntarily 2 hrs later. Definitely going back, mostly on the promise of the Brazilian part!
About running, I love it but I know its not good for me – my knees ALWAYS ache afterwards and I’m not even 30 🙁 and I always have sorbothane insoles to help with the impact issue… Almost every runner I know has ended up having to stop due to back or knee issues, some so bad they have involved surgery.
Family Affairs
January 23, 2012Exactly. I do think it depends to a degree on whether you ran as a teenager and your body shape but it does seem that injuries are very common L x
Eclipse
January 23, 2012So you reckon having run as pre-teen/teen would help with injury prevention or the other way round?
Family Affairs
January 23, 2012Well I just mean if you are a natural runner or your body is used to it, it isn’t as likely to cause so much havoc with your body Lx
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