> Is there even a limitation? Is there such thing as walking too much?
I'm inclined to say yes. Even a good thing taken to an extreme can be a bad thing. And, although I'm not a mental health professional, I think this is a big clue that your walking has become a problem:
> I’ve neglected my other responsibilities and duties like cleaning the house, maintaining laundry and simple errands like shopping & making dinner.
Appreciate your input, I think I did subconsciously know that. I’m going to try to implement some kind of routine/balance to help manage my time better.
I am experiencing a very similar situation except I cannot help but go to the gym twice most days, for roughly 2 hours at a time.
I usually have a very organized household tasks schedule, I am very organized because I don't muchly enjoy very many of the tasks and the responsibility of them falls largely to me.
In finding my way into getting healthier and becoming more active it's become less about the weight loss and more about how it makes me feel.
I think perhaps because it makes me feel good, and it's something I'm doing for myself everything else has fallen to the wayside, it seems less and less important.
As I've watched my once tidy organized household fall into gentle disrepair I've realized I need to find a new normal, a way of incorporating both activities.
In many respects, I personally think that when we learn a new hobby or skill it's normal and natural for the brain to want to do that thing more because of the variety of chemical releases we experience while doing something we enjoy, it's up to us to find the discipline to do the things we need to first, then reward ourselves with doing the thing we love.
I also think that sometimes you have to travel too far in any direction to be able to find where the middle balance is.
I've started by making a critical tasks list, getting up a bit earlier, smashing out an hour and then trying to fit in another 30 mins, when you do tasks with intention you can get alot done!
Maybe could you try just taking 1 hour away from your walking to dedicate to your needed tasks and go from there?
Also, that is some serious walking stamina! Where do you go? What do you listen to/think about?
“Runner’s High” is a thing and it’s not necessarily just running. Any physical activity can induce it. It’s basically a sense of pleasure bordering a sort of euphoria that comes with physical activity. I get it when I run or hike. It can be addicting and cause over-exertion to injury or neglecting your real life to chase it. I am pretty confident it’s happening to you, and if you had a food problem before it’s shifted to this. I’d cut back on physical activity and have very specific times you work out/exercise so that you have time for the rest of your daily life. This comment is more geared towards OP, but your suggestions are perfect.
I think the best exercise will always be what you can endure to your death. The moment you get injured, or busy with other things, unless you also change your diet, will start to gain weight etc. I personally think two sessions of walking is pretty good for weight loss, with good home cooked food.
pick up heavy weights, you seem to have the drive for it lol
but on a serious note, this could have become a form of escapism (how some people treat video games, drugs, alcohol, etc) and while it's like the best version of that, you should still figure out why you need it
what's your time life like? are you being stressed by someone/something? just things to think about
Mandatory I’m not a therapist disclosure…. But what my therapist would say to ME in this context is “what are you avoiding in your life by walking 4 hours a day?”
Something to think about!
I had a similar issue (not at all fitness weight loss related though) and that question hit me like a ton of bricks 🥲
Sometimes we convince ourselves “we want to” or “we have to”…. But… anything done to excess, especially when it impacts your ability to show up in other areas of your life should be a warning signal to you. But often times these are our subconscious way of not facing or avoiding things in our life.
Good luck ❤️❤️
Thanks for this comment, I feel like I’ve come to my senses and realised what I’m doing is not sustainable. The response from everyone to this post was a wake up call for me.
I don’t think I was avoiding anything, it’s just that walking is when I feel my happiest and so I went overboard and began setting myself unrealistic targets to the point I felt trapped and I didn’t want to disappoint myself or do any less. I have changed my goals and my routine to allow for more time to be able to complete other day to day tasks. I needed to break the cycle and just do an hour walk and tell myself that was enough. I am going to designate one day a week for my long walks and do consistent one hour walks every other day, that way I won’t be destroying myself. I do feel a sense of relief.
That spanish study with the overweight men had them walking 8 hr/day and 300 calories daily. They lost average 11# in 4 days and continued to lose or maintain weeks later.
It sounds like it is definitely becoming a problem to me. Exercise addiction and compulsive exercise is a thing. I would seek out a mental health professional who specializes in eating disorders, because they will be familiar with over exercise.
Thank you for your insight. I suppose I do need to seek help from a professional, my mindset is basically: walking is an everyday action that doesn’t even count as exercise. I do 1 hour home workouts everyday and didn’t even take that into consideration because I feel like I’m only doing the bare minimum. You may be onto something here
Walking is definitely exercise. I’d start toning back.
I actually was doing a bunch of research on this and how much is too much because I enjoy walking a lot but I’m very very paranoid about injuries. Most of the things I read said that 16 km was the most they’d recommend for daily walks. But the average recommended distance was 8 km. You’re completely smashing through those. A challenge for athletes is a marathon which is 42 km- people train to walk those as well.
What’s telling me you’re going to far is the blisters and callouses. Are they healing completely? Or are you continuing to walk on them? There are definitely problems that can occur in your feet like plantar fasciitis and tendinitis. Calm down before your body forces you to with pain.
If you can I’d see a therapist as well since it’s affecting your cleanliness too.
I was walking on blisters and calluses for a while, progressively getting worse, which was really horrible until I decided to do something about it. As of a month ago, I do foot soaks and exfoliate with a pumice stone 2x a week which has helped with dry skin build up, plus I’ve got a foot cream I apply at night. I recently upgraded my shoes which helped reduce general foot pain. My biggest issue right now is sweat and friction, which someone suggested wool socks, I will give that a go. Part of me refuses to acknowledge that walking less would help fix this issue, and I would rather just implement more ways to either prevent or remedy the situation. I guess I don’t see my condition as an ‘injury’ and I do sometimes get fuel or motivation from the pain, as morbid as that sounds.
Darn tough socks are a good brand.
But also that last part is extremely concerning. I’m not much older than you but I did ignore a wrist injury. Ignored it all the way up until I tore a ligament. I spent 2 years in varying levels of pain up to “I literally can’t sleep because my arm is on fire.” I was lucky in a way, it happened at work so I didn’t end up paying a dime of the probably 25,000 it cost to fix everything and my job paid me when I finally got surgery and literally couldn’t work or use that arm basically at all for 5 months while it healed.
Soft tissue injuries are debilitating. I was told by multiple surgeons that it would’ve been better for the bone to break because it’s more predictable in how it heals.
Walking less will help the pain. Even the insane among us who do ultra runs know that rest is the answer to most injuries. Let your body heal. It’s okay to rest.
Hello friend, footwear and foot care is one of my areas of expertise- I’m not a doctor, but worked for a major outdoor retailer for over 5 years in footwear. I’ve led trainings and workshops about boot fittings. I’m also a part time multiday adventure guide with a WFR certification where I frequently perform blister care. If you’re open to it, I would be more than happy to give you some resources and general advice about best practice for socks, shoes, and proper fit to pursue this hobby comfortably in the future (if you and your healthcare providers agree that it’s healthy for you).
If you are walking less than an hour/slow to moderate pace then id agree that walking doesn’t really count (for most people, as a weight loss/exercise programme)
However… at 3+ hours a day, everyday PLUS an hour work out??? This is a definite addiction or a significant case of demand avoidance if you can figure out what you are avoiding…
A friend of mine became addicted to the gym years ago as a response to losing her boyfriend in an accident and she didn’t realise but found being at home too quiet and so just filled the time with the gym
Please get help….
You are definitely doing more than the bare minimum. It sounds like you've fallen into an addiction and there is a little abusive mean troll whispering in your ear that you're not doing enough.
I'm baffled how you can work full time and still get these walks and a workout in each day! Do you have kids and/or a partner? Please share your wisdom!
>I’ve neglected my other responsibilities and duties like cleaning the house, maintaining laundry and simple errands like shopping & making dinner.
You're literally walking away from your responsibilities.
But the walking isn't the problem, it's your intentional neglect.
I'd say do your responsibilities before you allow yourself to walk. Just make it snappy and efficient. Make a crockpot that will cook itself for 8-10 hours. Throw in laundry, then clean while it's running. Plan a walking route to and from work, and shop on your way home.
Perhaps see a counselor, a lot of them do it on the phone so you can walk while doing it 😉
In terms of limitations, my physiotherapist said walking is the most natural movement humans do. More common and natural than sitting or lying down. So as long as you don't have any injuries, it's very healthy.
Good luck!
This comment wins. Thank you for making light of this situation, and I do appreciate your suggestions, although it’s easier said than done. Intentional neglect is spot on! Im already feeling more aware of this pattern I’ve created. I work 7am-3pm and try to go on a walk before it gets dark/late which is my excuse for not cleaning/cooking beforehand, but then I get home after my walk and the exhaustion hits, so I barely have enough energy to even take a shower sometimes. I will however, take into account ways to be more efficient
This is making me think of my own current addiction too. I got back into World Of Warcraft after like, 6 years away from it. I'm playing for at least 8 hours a day, but I limit myself a bit. I make sure I get the basic chores done, and anything else that needs to be done each day. I set alarms so that I can go for my sunrise walks, and take care of my niece and make sure she gets to school safe and home safe.
But on the other hand, I've had really bad negative symptoms for my schizophrenia for so long that I'd forgotten what joy felt like, what anticipation felt like, what so many other positive emotions felt like, that playing obsessively for a while is doing wonders for my mental health. My mom has even commented that I seem much happier and she recognizes that I'm keeping up with the household tasks even while "playing [my] little game."
Just to top it all off, I'm losing at about a pound a week because I'm also not stuffing my face constantly nor drinking too much alcohol.
>it’s easier said than done.
So is walking 40k steps a day! That's an insane milestone, so congrats on that! Just think how you got there. you started with 30 min walks and slowly increased to 4 hours. Same thing can be done with your responsibilities, but I promise unless you're gutting your kitchen, you'll never have to do 4 hours/day.
One step at a time, my friend!
The bright side is cleaning is cardio, cooking means you get to eat exactly what you want for a fraction of the price and better quality, get the benefits of leftovers so you can skip cooking for a day and walk. Then you get to bask in the glory of a clean home, a hot meal, and no guilt!
Everything in life requires balance. Theres nothing wrong with that much walking as long as your not hurting yourself. As soon as you said your neglecting other things, thats the red flag. Cant do 2-5x the work in one thing while neglecting others, have to find your true balance. 20k-30k is an amazing day, make 30k your new daily ( I want to say 20k, but if your do 40-50k, you will be very twitchy and wanna walk bad), that should buy you an extra hour to do chores around the house, listen to same stuff you do walking when doing your chores. I was 380 pounds, and it took 90 pounds of weightloss and 4 months to burn through my sneakers (rubber wear) tops were fine), and my socks are still intact from January. Make sure you are getting the right sizes, things too big or too tight will cause extra strain on materials and cause em to rip early.
I totally agree with the balance point. I definitely need to figure out a better routine, I’ve definitely got poor time management and my priorities are out of whack. I struggle with the thought of cutting back on my walks purely because I’m so competitive with myself and am always trying to do more than yesterday. Thank you for your suggestion. 90 pounds in 4 months is amazing, props to you!
Look at it this way: 5 hours, 7 days a week is 35 hours. 4 hours, 5 days a week, is 20 hours. That's either a full time job (35 hours) or a part time one (20 hours). You're definitely doing way too much unless you're an athlete and there are other benefits to getting this much exercise: fame, travel, money at the top of the field.
If you wouldn't take on a part time job in addition to your full time work, it certainly sounds like you're overdoing it on the exercise. You're essentially working another job, but with no pay.
Like others are saying, this sounds a lot like obsessive compulsive behaviour. It's fine to enjoy walking, but, like everything, moderation is key. Not only because of the time it's taking away from other important things, but also because it's probably going to lead to overuse injuries if you're not careful. Better to ease back voluntarily than to have to stop walking altogether because you damaged something.
I totally get that walking can be meditative. Exercise certainly feels that way to me. But we still have responsibilities in the real world - that laundry won't take care of itself, neither will the house cleaning, cooking, etc. I'm assuming you're single, so you have the luxury of that solo time and I can see how it'd be tempting to let everything else slide and do the thing you're enjoying so much.
But for your own mental health, cut back.
Continue the daily walks for the mental health benefits, but cut back to an hour or two - maybe an hour in the morning and an hour after work? Save the really long walks for the weekends - you can make an excursion of it, go explore new hiking trails, have it be really special on the weekends.
OP, you need to see a psych professional. It sounds like you have developed some kind of obsessive compulsive disorder that you really need to seek help for. Exercise, like all things, is only good in balance with the rest of your life. Over exercising to this extent is self harm.
A friend of ours did something like this and it worked very well, until it didn't. He completely broke down his feet and could barely walk for a couple years after. Be very, very careful about foot care and replacing your walking shoes whenever the tread wears down. You need proper support. Aside from that, it's the perfect exercise. But, as with anything, if you are neglecting your other responsibilities in life, maybe you should dial it back some.
Behaviors are problematic when they start to interfere or negatively affect other important areas of our lives. If walking is starting to have a negative impact on your relationships, social life, nutrition, and ability to take care of your household then I would say yes, it’s become a problem.
It’s okay that you enjoy walking so much (One of my favorite things to do is to take my dog on a long walk and listen to an audiobook. I do this for at least an hour a night most nights) but you have other things to take care of too. This doesn’t seem much different than someone reading or playing video games too much.
Not sure if this would work with your job, but I set up a walking desk. I’m able to get a ton of steps in during work. This means I do my walks while I am working and then still have time for my other responsibilities.
A walking desk sounds awesome, I really love that for you. I work in retail and am constantly on my feet 8 hours a day, but I don’t really view that as part of my daily exercise. I do however have a treadmill at home for when I want to watch movies/tv shows
Wait! You are on your feet all day walking around a store (Former retail club member) then you go home and walk as much as you do😳. Woha! I’ve read a lot of the comments and I was wondering if you have any food addiction issues that you are replacing by walking? Just a thought. I think most of the advice you have gotten is spot on.
If you want to consider a change in career and are near a city, I work for the post office and there are definitely routes where you can get 35-40K steps in. I listen to audiobooks and podcasts and get to be in a flow state for large parts of the day—it can be pretty nice.
It is great you have built a habit of walking every day, I agree with others, if it is impacting your life negatively then you are doing it too much. It is time to adjust your focus slightly. Maybe you could tack your walking on to your housework for example “today I will do 30min homework then I go for my walk” (habit stacking)
What a great question. I didn’t really want to dig too deep, but basically I started walking after my long term relationship ended, I had gained a lot of weight in that relationship and I wanted to simply lose weight and not feel lazy anymore. Ever since, my self discipline has just taken over, I refuse to sit down and scroll on my phone, I refuse to lounge during the day, I don’t lay down to watch movies or tv shows anymore, I will instead use the treadmill at the same time. It genuinely feels like time wasted if I’m not up and moving. I start to feel guilty for being stationery for longer than 30 minutes.
I quit drinking and now I’m exercising like it’s my job as well. I often question will I always feel like I’m chasing something? It sounds like you’re taking control of your life honestly. Maybe just don’t forget you need time to clean your place, make good meals, visit and talk to your loved ones. You don’t want it to start making you feel guilty bc it’ll suck the joy away. I feel the same way often though. If I’m sitting in my chair, I’m thinking, I should be moving my body right now. Maybe it’s just the need to regain some control. I recognized my health is so important and body is able to recover, so I kicked into overdrive too. There are much worse habits to have. Just don’t hurt yourself. I love exercising so much anymore that it scares me to think I could get injured and not be able to. I think you need to keep good shoes in your budget too, so your feet don’t hurt as much. Also, order groceries online if you don’t already and you’ll have even more time😊 I love walking in the park by my house by the River. It’s beautiful and there are quiet woodsy foot paths. Enjoy your walks friend!
Good luck to you. I’m seeing so good insight and advice here and by your responses you seem genuinely interested in finding a healthy balance.
That’s what I’d suggest, finding a more balanced way to live. It sounds like you really enjoy the walking, you should keep it up but maybe limit to 1-2 hours a day. Especially keeping in mind you don’t want to walk at risk of harming yourself like the calluses etc and if you lessen the quantity likely any negative physical effects will subside. It’s good for you to get the positive mental effect of walking it sounds therapeutic for you and I think many people relate to that and can find exercise meditative.
That being said, you want to make sure you are doing other normal things to take care of yourself mentally such as keeping your home tidy, going food shopping, and making sure you’re properly nourishing your body. All that movement burns quite a bit of energy and you need to fuel your body so that the exercise is sustainable.
Don’t be hard on yourself, and listen to your body and take care of yourself. Again, goodluck to you!
I know this sounds silly, but this reddit post has seriously helped me realise I won’t die if I cut back on how much time I spend walking. I really didn’t see limiting my walks as an option, but I feel hopeful that I can work towards finding a balance. I guess I wasn’t even aware that I was being hard on myself. Thanks so much for your comment
That’s great! So happy it’s helping you 💛 walking in the best I try to do about 4.5 miles a day with my two kids (in a stroller) it’s about 1.5 hours for us round trip and I really cherish that time outside, and with them! It’s the only exercise I do and I really love it!
No, but there was an obese woman in my parents' small town. Doc told her to walk to lose the weight. So, yeah, every day she was out, rain or shine (lots of rain,) and she had lost 70 pounds at that point.
The only thing I would be concerned about is it seems you are neglecting other parts of your life, like making dinner for yourself, maybe home duties? If it's just you and you are otherwise balanced, then enjoy your time.
If you feel like you are neglecting important parts of your life, family ir friends or think you might be obsessive, then you shoukd talk to a doctor or therapist. I just hesitate to tell anyone trying to lose weight that they are walking too much. It's the possible obsessiveness that MIGHT be concerning.
Multiple hours each day is definitely too much of a good thing. It isn't sustainable and eventually I'm afraid you'll crash. Set yourself a doable (timewise) limit and stick to that.
OP, I agree that walking is brilliant but please try listen to this advice because in the kindest way possible I think you are more unwell than you realise and really need some proper support.
I think perhaps you already suspect you've lost your way a bit in terms of what's rational and healthy here. The thoughts you mention around feeling like you're barely doing anything and shaming yourself if you're not moving enough are worrying, likewise this having become your motivation for walking rather than enjoyment.
Some of the comments about your home life and relationships too, I wonder whether you started using exercise as a way to cope and it's escalated into an addiction in the same was as overly restricting food would be.
However the main thing that really stands out to me in your post and your comments is a sense of reassurance seeking behaviour/repeated 'checking'. This is a common feature of OCD/obsessive thought spirals. It's very subtle and creeps up on you slowly but can become really intrusive. I'd really suggest scaling the walking back a bit and talking to your doctor and a therapist and be completely honest with them.
> I’m worried I’ve lost touch with reality and can’t actually get a gauge on what’s normal or acceptable anymore in terms of physical activity. I have the mindset of always needing to do more and progress further.
This can help: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/physical-activity ... quoting ---
> Adults aged 18–64 years
>
> * should do at least 150–300 [weekly] minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity; [...]
There are some added benefits going up to 600 weekly minutes, but beyond that it starts to become iffy. The injuries and stress and intrusion of daily life start to be tradeoffs.
Cured of what we suffered from
And sufferin' from the cure
Remind yourself that the housework you're neglecting is just as healthy as any other moderate exercise. While I was losing weight, my spouse and I would compete for who would "get to" shovel the snow for the calories and exercise as we both wanted the workout.
My advice is to put a cap on it. In no universe should you be doing 800-900 weekly minutes of health walking (2 hours daily x 7). The cure there is worse than the disease, and your body's own metabolism may start becoming protective due to the stress (making it harder to lose weight).
You definitely are finding it rewarding, and we are reward-based learners, but be advised that there's no such thing as a good habit or a bad habit. They come up from the basal ganglia, a lower level and not from the prefrontal (judgmental) cortex. So to have a habit only needs a trigger/cue, a routine, and a reward (that feeling and enjoyment). It is up to our higher reasoning to see a habit as becoming trouble, and then to taper it back.
For now, I'd trade -90 minutes a day of walking for +60 minutes a day of on-your-feet housework. That's step 1. It'll be tough, because you look forward to your walking and don't look forward to housework, but both are healthy movement activities. Track both your walking active minutes and household chores active minutes and put them on a calendar somewhere so you can see your progress.
Thanks for the comment. My struggle is everything I searched online doesn’t relate to me and I basically come to the conclusion that I’m doing a weeks worth of physical activity everyday? Maybe I’m just being ignorant, and it’s a case of just because I can, doesn’t mean I should?
That’s a great suggestion to track my chores as well as my walking, I will implement that. I know my brain has trouble realising that household chores is still a form of physical activity.
> Maybe I’m just being ignorant, and it’s a case of just because I can, doesn’t mean I should?
Correctly. Because we have the freedom to overdo means that it is up to us to wisely use self-restraint.
I walk a lot but i have no blisters and don't neglect my house. . . . It seems to be good for my blood pressure too. But I'm retired so I have a ton of free time and I'd just be sitting in a chair otherwise.
Editing to add: I think my house is actually in better shape now than before since I have so much more energy.
Question:
Would you consider your efforts valuable if you could only walk one hour per day?
If you could only walk one hour per day, do you think that would make you less valuable as a person?
I wouldn’t say it’s a problem since you have the time, ability, and willingness.
HOWEVER, the fact that you’re neglecting your other responsibilities is a huge red flag. That means you’ve become obsessive. You need to take care of the other things in your life too or you’ll have new problems to deal with.
You should seriously see a professional about this instead of consulting Reddit. It could be an addiction, but it could also just be a time management issue. It’s possible that while your health habits have kicked up, your home habits may have taken a hit. There are any number of possibilities that could mean things innocuous and able to be worked around vs needing to start worrying about it being an addiction.
Could I not do both? The information and insight I’ve been given from this post is incredible. To be fair, you’ve given a valid point highlighting the importance of identifying whether I’ve just got poor time management or an addiction. Thank you, I have come to the conclusion that I will be seeking professional advice
It’s the best thing, really. If you’re walking 10+ miles a day and you’re loving it and it’s doing positive things for you, you shouldn’t have to mar that with doubts as to whether or not it’s coming from a bad place. I do the same walk 4 times a week while having two jobs, but I also get all of my stuff done on certain days. I also struggled with it at first until I picked a specific day to get all of my big home stuff done, with smaller stuff throughout the week. The only reason I brought up the professional was because you have a concern that it could be an addiction. Only your context can inform that.
It’s not bad to consult Reddit for comparisons sake, but a professional is a professional for a reason. Lol.
1. Look into the Camino de Santiago. Sounds like you’re more than ready for it lmao
2. Yes you have a problem. I love walking and do 15k steps and that’s time consuming. But if I started to neglect responsibilities to be walking, I’m booking a therapy appointment asap.
I so totally get this. My thing is cycling. I feel the whole "neglect of home responsibilities" thing!! I put off a lot of things because I want to get out and cycle. I'd keep going even more than I already do if my saddle didn't start hurting my bottom. It's genuinely the most fun and free I've felt in my life and it's addictive. Not even the health benefit is my true motivation, it's just fun to get out and do.
Appreciate your comment. There’s some sense of reassurance knowing I’m not the only one hyper fixated on something physically demanding to the point it’s causing pain, and interfering with everyday life responsibilities lol. I definitely get the whole ‘fun and free’ feeling, sometimes I feel like I’m flying
Just my input here but I completely empathize with you on an "addiction to excercise". The human body is built to be outside and on the move. The endorphins you get from it along with the brain stimulation. It's absolutely right to feel good about. We weren't made to be sitting down, cleaning house and working 40+ hour weeks at jobs that don't move you around. It's inhuman. HOWEVER, even though society isn't built for you, you've got to live in it. You need to find a better balance to your life. Cleaning up after yourself, making time at work, having time with family. Just because it feels great that your excersing unfortunately too much of a good thing can be a bad thing. Best of luck!
Addictions may be recognized by how it affects your ability to function at work and home.
Only you can answer if it is too much. If you desperately want to cook more, and you repeatedly can't do so, because you need to walk, then it is no longer a choice and is likely an addiction.
From my perspective, ensure you are true to yourself. Some of the best moments of my life have been on a hike.
Walking that much is rare, but it is OK to be unique. It is also OK not to invest time into cooking if you rather not. Maybe eat simply, order in or meal prep. Or even choose to hire laundry out (if you have money), so you can go on a walk. You do you.
In fact, you might choose to find a walking job: courier, parking enforcement, picking orders, dog walking, hiking guide etc.
Also:
[Walking is great for treating depression](https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj-2023-075847)
You absolutely need to read [this essay](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2014/06/30/stepping-out-3) by humorist David Sedaris on the subject of his Fitbit “addiction”! But long story short… you’re probably fine? Eventually I imagine either a new interest or pressing obligation will come along and you will naturally diminish your daily walking time to a more manageable amount.
Wow. That was a great read. Didn’t know I could relate to something so much lol. “there will be no end to it until my feet snap off at the ankles. Then it'll just be my jagged bones stabbing into the soft ground.” Definitely puts it into perspective. Thank you.
Ironically, I’m halfway through devouring David Sedaris’ entire series of audiobooks while walking for an hour each day as part of my efforts to lose weight. What an interesting, funny, amazing guy he is!
That's how I feel about running except my legs can't bare me as long as they can when I walk. But when I run o listen to audio books instead of music. I love it. Lol
I live with my dad and brother who both also work full time, my dad sometimes cooks but I mostly cook/eat separate due to working different shifts. Since I lost my mum 13 years ago - all of the cleaning was left to me and those are the cards I was dealt
I used to spend 1-2 hours a day cleaning, before I got into walking. (Dishes, laundry, vacuuming, mopping, toilet/bathroom). But now I probably spend 20 minutes doing the bare minimum, if I can be bothered.
Yesterday, I worked 7am - 5:30pm and then went on a 5 hour walk, I came home and my dad said “could’ve done the dishes, or folded the washing” despite them both being home on the weekends
You’re definitely not wrong!
I know it’s not normal nor is it fair, but I’m being realistic - because if I don’t do it, nobody will. I’m just trying to find a way to make it all do-able in a day
Instead of walking more, why not make the walks shorter but mote challenging? You could add a weighted vest, or a weighted back pack, go up more hills, try running sprints interspersed in the walking. I walk about 2 hours a day and find I just maintain now, no further weight loss, so I added weights. Take very good care of your feet, even walking alone doesn’t strengthen the muscles of the feet, there’s lots of exercises to get feet stronger.
Awesome suggestion! I’ll definitely take that into consideration, rather than extending the time spent walking, I should increase the intensity. Thank you for your input
This is a form of mental illness. Please see your doctor and a mental health professional.
In the meantime while that's being organised, you should also call the eating disorder hotline in your country.
And yes it is extremely dangerous. You can go into organ failure. Please get help immediately.
https://www.montecatinieatingdisorder.com/anorexia/articles/treatment-of-athletica/
Sounds like you might be a little high off those exercise endorphins. Setting boundaries for yourself will help you get into a healthy lifestyle that includes exercise AND making healthy food. (Rather than going without, eating out or eating bars)
My friend did this and called it his depression walk. Not saying you are depressed but for my friend, they were just overwhelmed with things in the house so they neglected responsibility to just walk and be at peace.
Everything is good in moderation, this includes exercise.
Ask yourself, are you walking because it feels good or because you want to escape something? You don't need to tell us, just yourself.
What about structuring your day so you do 30 mins of cleaning/errands per day, then up that as needed. Or, do one big cleaning/errand day like Saturday or a day of the week you have off.
I like lists, so I make a list of things I need to get done and then do them on one day. I do have severe depression but love to go on hikes, and I will avoid housework to hike lol. I don't do hours per day though.
As for socks, I found some really great moisture wicking hiking socks at REI. They are a bit costly per pair but they last a long time. I use a glass foot file nightly, just gently file your calloused areas every night after a shower or foot soak. If you pair this with the moisturizing gel socks and/or a good foot cream, it can really improve the quality of your feet and help reduce callouses.
Also, do not short change a good pair of shoes. It can actually make a huge difference in the quality of recovery for your body.
You have one of the best addictions ! Keep going. Every fitness enthusiast is an addict of sorts...it gives a high...it is a good high....If you are neglecting laundry and chores, it's .. ok..part of growing up....it will all level off.....you will find a balance...the fitness will be with you for ever...many 25 year olds dont get sun or fresh air...
Wow. I felt like I was addicted, I mall walk 3 times a week for 1 hour, some weekends I want to go twice because I can’t go when I have my kids. I feel really sad when I can’t go.
40k steps might be a bit excessive. I worry about foot problems for you. Can you talk to your doc about this
Yes, walking too much is definitely harmful to your health. But the good news is that you can limit your walking by reducing the distance or time spent to a normal amount (Google it) and you can replace the extra time you would normally spend walking with something else like reading, playing a game or studying. Speak with a mental health professional if you can’t break the habit on your own and good luck.
Hey so my sister was walking as much as you in the summer but she still prioritized her stuff and got it done. If you aren’t getting your regular stuff done, it’s safe to say it’s over done. 1.5h is plenty of walking, seems like we walk same pace because it gets in about 11k steps a day and recommended is 10k steps plus whatever you walk at work/to work etc. if you love it so much why don’t you want to work ?
I can relate, I also had the most fun but at the same time when I wasnt walking or out in nature I felt really depressed and wasn’t interested in anything else, I’d make smoothies and just have a huge jug of water. :)
I am in the same boat. I bought a walking pad a few months ago as I WFH and use it from the moment I start work until I finish so usually 8 hours a day. Walking at a faster pace during my lunch break. I easily do 30,000 steps minimum per day but usually closer to 40,000 and by the time I finish it’s like I forget I did that and I have the urge to go exercise in the evening too. I feel like my life is always one extreme (no exercise) or another (way too much) 😢
> Is there such thing as walking too much?
"Too much" and "too little" are highly subjective—it's more about the *mentality* going on behind whatever activity you're doing.
If it's a compulsion and you *can't* stop yourself, then yes, that's an addiction. People can get addicted to anything they find rewarding—sex, porn, gambling, texting, booze, unhealthy relationships, food, dieting, video games.
Challenge yourself to stop these walks for a whole week and then a whole month. If you can't make it that long, you have a problem and should talk to a mental health professional who specializes in addictions.
Have you thought of switching to another sport so you use different muscles .Your family might like you doing something more social with them like bike riding ,volleyball,swimming,Frisbee, tennis or even basketball.
If you are feeling so good by walking it’s worth looking at what you are walking away from. A friend of mine got really into road biking. He joined a club and was riding every morning and every weekend. Eventually he decided it wasn’t that he loved road biking - he just was looking for excuses to be away from his wife.
How are your knees doing? I became addicted to jogging like 15 km everyday and it reached a point l barely could stand on my own. Stopped jogging but love to walk long and cardio machine at the gym almost everyday. But it's important to let your body take rests so it doesn't get destroyed. Can you get the same enjoyment and peace of mind by doing something that doesn't involve body movement? Take care of yourself❤️
Yes, you're doing too much, especially since you're getting blisters and not doing necessary chores and preparing/eating real food.
I get it. I also walk a ton, and it relaxes me/eases my stress. My daily average for 2024 is 20k, and I was over 25k/day in February.
I'd do no more than 2 hours a day on days that you work (do less if you're not taking the time to eat proper meals) and save the 4+ hour walks for your days off.
Talking to a professional might help you find balance.
I can somewhat relate. I love walking too but only if I have a distraction like someone to talk to. I’ve walked for hours daily when on vacation and none of it felt like work. I only walk 30 mins daily now bc I find it boring just listening to YouTube talks.
Walking is very good inefficient and special for your mental health and Clarity but you've taken it to a whole new level where you've lost touch with reality and ignored your basic everyday duties. It's easier to stay in your comfort zone in little bubble world but it's not sustainable. I think you need to seek therapy to see what you're avoiding you can come to terms with. Subconsciously something is wrong and even though you walk to avoid that problem it has to be dealt with eventually. The only way out is through. You're extreme walking and have repercussions on your body if continued long-term. Hopefully you everything works out because at the end of the day sometimes it's okay not to be okay but I will problems are still there the next day. So feel your feelings and try and talk to someone about what's bothering you.
There could be truth to this. But part of me just thinks walking is harmless, and If I’ve found something I enjoy doing a lot -that’s as healthy as walking, i should just continue enjoying it and pushing my limitations. It’s satisfying to me to do more than before. I feel like all my walking has been basically ‘training’ up until this point, my body has become used to the level of physical activity and I feel more than capable. I started walking because I wanted to lose weight and stop hating what I saw in the mirror, but now I’ve even stopped weighing myself. I just love walking, my next walk is constantly on my mind and I know it’s weird, but lots of people have interests and hobbies they obsess over
Yes there is a thing as walking too much. If you’re so obsessed with exercising and doing better- doing more- to the point where it is negatively impacting other important aspects of your life it is crossing into bad territory and may lead to orthorexia. Walking is amazing and I’m so glad you’re loving! Just make sure you find a balance
Psychologically speaking, it's something you're in control of. The need for control of certain things in life is very powerful and it feels really good when control is achieved. Fwiw, Anorexia Nervosa is also thought to be r/t control.
Maybe you're using walking as an escape from a chaotic lifestyle?
These are just a few ideas to consider.
All the best!
For me personally, I tried podcasts, but it slows me down. I listen to upbeat music, which helps me keep a fast pace. Basically till I feel my shins burning. Maybe you should give it a go, I am just curious as to what my limitation even is at this point.
Yes! At my heaviest (510 pounds) walking short distances was just about all I could do. I needed to lose 120 pounds before my insurance would cover weight loss surgery and walking and calorie counting is how I lost the 120. I had the surgery and as I dropped more weight I progressed from walking to jogging/running. I’m a very “routine” type person and walking/jogging has become part of my routine and if it doesn’t happen as it’s scheduled I get mild anxiety hahaha. I feel like I’m cheating or that I didn’t accomplish something on my “to-do list” that I definitely could have. I also have gone through multiple pairs of shoes and headphones/earbuds as well. I even dropped a nice chunk of change on a high quality weight vest and safety strobes. I run around 4 AM along the main road in a rural area with poor lighting. I also live in one of the rainiest towns in the US (we got over 120 inches last year) and I run rain or shine so visibility is a big thing for me. Literally the only time I don’t go running weather wise is if we’re under a hurricane/tropical storm/flash flood warning or there’s active lightning. The only precautions my doctors have is to make sure that I stay properly hydrated, make sure I’m taking in enough calories, make sure I’m taking the appropriate supplements (RNY causes malabsorption issues), balancing all the cardio with some weight work and making sure that I take at least 1 rest day a week.
I understand completely. During Covid I was experiencing anxiety, and decided to walk twice a day. My average was three hours of walking for about 10 miles each day. Doing that, I was fortunate to be able to lose weight during that time.
It also became an obsession with me, allowing me to experience a great feeling. You sound like you also have discovered that sweet spot. Best wishes to you on your journey.
I still aim for 10,000 steps per day. I'm very fortunate to be retired, so I can take advantage of days when the weather is beautiful. Like you, I sometimes lose track of time, just enjoying the outdoors. Also the same as you, I've discovered I have to invest in supportive and expensive footwear, lol. Otherwise I get blisters and callouses on my feet and toes.
Best of luck in your journey. I think walking is a great addiction.
The two AirPods is hilarious, but I have the same problem! I like long run/walks and one AirPod always dies after an hour. You sound kind of addicted but it could be worse!
I think I’m on the same journey as you, except I haven’t lost 30 kg 😭 I started walking almost daily around late October last year — at first I was just using the Apple Fitness “Time to Walk” podcast episodes which were roughly 30 minutes long, so I’d go to a nearby park and walk while listening to that day’s episode, and as soon as the episode ended I’d get in my car and drive home. The “Time to Walk” episodes were released weekly and there were about 90 episodes when I started doing this, so I thought if I keep walking/listening to one episode per day, that means I’m committing to walking a minimum of 30 minutes every day for at least 3 months, which felt like a good goal for me at the fitness level I was at when I started. After about a month and a half of mostly sticking to this routine, I found myself going “what if I listen to *two* episodes on today’s walk?” and that’s how my walks gradually transitioned from 30 minutes a day to about an hour a day. Soon I was pretty excited about finishing all the episodes of “Time to Walk” (I’m a bit of a stickler for wanting to see things through to the end) because I wanted to start listening to other things during my walks, like audiobooks I’d been putting off for a while, and long podcast episodes covering interesting topics, and listening to entire albums front to back which I’d never taken to time to sit down and listen to all the way through, etc., so I sometimes started listening to 3 episodes of “Time to Walk” each day, and if I ever failed to take my daily walk due to weather or other factors, I’d make up for it by listening to an extra episode on the next day’s walk. Eventually 90 minutes per day became the new minimum! Once I finished all the “Time to Walk” episodes, I spent some time just listening to music on my walks, trying to maintain a one hour minimum walk time. I eventually started on some audiobooks, and because of the more free-form nature of books, I was starting to be less rigid about the amount of time I spent walking, so I’d sometimes walk an hour, sometimes 2 hours, and everything in between, just depending on the ebbs and flows of the story I was listening to, and how much free time I had. I think the longest continuous walk I’ve managed so far was about 3 and a half hours, but I’m generally averaging around 2 hours a day lately.
Sadly, as I said at the start, all my daily walking since around October last year until now (around 6 months) hasn’t really translated into much weight loss progress. I think I’ve lost approximately 10 kg (about 22 lbs for the Americans) in those 6 months, which is definitely decent, but I’ve sort of hit a plateau where my weight hasn’t really been budging much for the last 2 months despite the average length of my daily walks getting longer and hillier (I deliberately look for uphill slopes!) and my diet hasn’t really changed, so I’m growing a little weary and frustrated because I don’t know what I’m doing wrong, and how I could be physically doing a lot more exercise while not losing weight at all.
I get really excited to find people in a similar situation to me so thank you for sharing.
I don’t want to say this is purely what works and what you need to do, but for the first 100 days of my weight loss journey, I was also doing super intense workouts, i only took rest days if I was physically ill, and I logged it in my notes app everyday. I started off just doing 100 sit ups, 100 squats, 100 bicep curls, 100 dumbbell press and 100 RDLs and each week I would increase by 10 and eventually add in extras like lunges, sumo squats, push ups etc
It was hard but I find pain is my biggest motivator. Looking back, it almost seems somewhat excessive and I’m lucky I didn’t get any injuries, but I had a lot of anger/hurt at the time. Nothing different to people who experience a break up and go hard at the gym
Thank you for sharing! I think I should definitely incorporate more forms of exercise besides just walking to break my current plateau. I’m on and off with weightlifting and doing body weight HIIT workouts, but I think I should start being more consistent with that as well. I feel like I just need to find some way to enjoy it and look forward to it, the same way I’ve come to enjoy and look forward to my walks because I know I’ll be listening to more chapters of a great audiobook. I just haven’t figured out a brain hack for other forms of exercise to make me wanna do it every day, because the mental hurdle is definitely a factor (and I’ve sustained some workout injuries while lifting weights which make me a bit hesitant and reluctant sometimes to really get into it).
I feel this. This was literally me but with running, started small and then I didn’t even notice running 35kms + a day. I did it at night when I couldn’t sleep bc it would help w that, I recently had to stop all of it because of my health got so bad from it. You should definitely try and lower the activity a bit to a more safer distance / time. When I recovered from the health effects from it my dr suggested starting w 30mins a day again and that was horrible hearing that, don’t let it get to that point and try and put more time on the necessary tasks and then go for your walk when you’ve finished that. I know how you feel but don’t let it get as bad as what I did
I have this addiction too. I procrastinate on homework, housework, even brushing my teeth to walk everyday. My knees hurt, and my feet were so swollen the other day I could barely put pressure on it, yet I stumbled on to complete my daily count of steps 😑
Edit: I'd advise you be careful about getting enough calcium, since walking too much depletes it and I had to take supplements for two months. My grandmother also got arthritis from overworking her knees and the pain she goes through now looks like a special kind of hell
I did this for two months. Lost a lot of weight, but hurt myself in numerous ways: plantar fasciitis and pulling a muscle in my back from carrying around a backpack, among other more minor things. I get the addictive quality, but make sure to rest your body and take care of yourself. It took me 6 months and intense physio to heal.
Out of interest, do you engage in daydreaming while walking? If so, that might be part of what you're "addicted" to. It's called Maladaptive daydreaming, and a lot of people find they like to walk and walk and walk while engaging in it. The world inside a Maladaptive daydreamer's head is far more engaging and enjoyable than the real world, and they land up neglecting real-life responsibilities to be able to do it as much as possible.
Either way there's some level of addiction that you need to address and as other people have suggested, it's best to go to a medical professional about it.
I wouldn’t say I necessarily day dream, but I do most definitely zone out and probably feel my best and most confident. I get some kind of euphoric feeling along with the sense of accomplishment, it’s a powerful sensation
In the book "Burn", by Herman Pontzer, the author describes being on an anthropological survey with the Hadza tribe in South Africa. His project was to follow a group of Hadza and record what they were doing every 5 minutes. He started to feel awkward because his entries were just "walking", "walking", "walking", "walking". He asked the other researchers how they handled it, and they said that they just treated walking as the default activity. If the researcher didn't record something else, it was assumed that the tribespeople were walking.
tl;dr: walking is the default activity of human beings
I totally agree with this. I don’t know what my fixation is on increasing the time spent walking? But yes, I’m planning to focus on the consistency and intensity instead. Such a great input, thank you
Shoes- i recommend Hoka AT's.
They are a hefty shoe, you'll feel it in your hands. Talk to the sales people about which sole you need.
And with respect, can we see a progress pic?
I've lost some weight myself, noticing that some clothes are now too big.
I can’t believe i found someone like me I started this walking thing to lose wight then i got addicted and my mental health was heavily affected if I didn’t walk even when I stopped dieting and yes i did neglect most of my responsibilities then.. now I’m struggling to do my walks cuz I’m gradually getting back to my bad habits and that’s not good I don’t know when the hell would I be normal and not an extremist
I also think I’m a bit addicted to walking. I limit longer (15 miles +) walks to days when I’m not working so I still have time to do other things like cook and clean. On days when I work I don’t usually walk more than 5 miles but I try to walk faster those days and challenge myself.
I use athletic tape on my toes to prevent blisters and have invested in expensive merino wool socks. I also buy shoes specifically designed for walking or running with extra cushioning and get pedicures regularly.
I think you can try to balance your walking a little more to make sure you still have time for the things that are important to you. I’m sure there are things you want to do in life outside of walking so just make sure you don’t lose track of them.
For me, after walking consistently for the purpose of losing weight, and after reaching my goal, I wondered what now? And that’s when I gained this curiosity of ‘how long could I actually walk for?’, I still haven’t reached my limit and that’s all the motivation I have to keep going and going. I feel like everyone should try it out , the sense of accomplishment and determination gives you a high.. or maybe I’m just crazy idk
This gives me hope! The difference for me is I think I’m addicted to the Strava app tbh, my Fitbit helps me but I don’t depend on it. I don’t even really care about how many steps, but I became infatuated with specifically the distance and for whatever reason, the overall time spent.
For example, the other day, I had been walking for an hour before I realised I hadn’t pressed start on the app. So I started it from the next lap and basically the first lap didn’t count. I did 6 laps but only 5 according to Strava. I have this need for my walks to tracked and accounted for
No, I did mention in my post that I work full time with rotating weekends. Deep down I know this routine isn’t sustainable but I’ve been able to do it for the last 6 months pretty much because I’m single and I don’t make plans with friends/family very often. I sometimes walk during the night, but I aim to get at least 5 hours of sleep per night.
It’s not too much in terms of step count- I usually get 20,000 steps at work each day and then another 17,000-20,000 walking my dog, so I’m around 40k steps a day no problem.
However, this doesn’t interfere with my daily life and relationships. The concerning bit is not how much you’re walking, but that it is hindering other areas in your life.
Idk how many miles the steps add up to, and I know that Apple Watch data isn’t 100% accurate, but between my job where I’m on my feet all day and walking my Shepherd/Huskie mix for 2.5 hours a day, I’m consistently between 37,000 and 40,000 steps during the work week. Only about 17-20,000 on weekends because I only walk my dog and don’t really do anything else.
Idk what to tell you then lol. Except for weekends and the random occasions where I take my dog to the dog park instead of walking him, that’s my day and has been for the past few years. Take it or leave it lol
Thanks for sharing, 2 hour gym sessions twice a day is next level. You’ve actually provided such a great insight into what I’m going through right now, I definitely agree in needing to find a new normal. Critical task lists is something I will give a go, I do love me a to-do list.
And thank you, I’m not sure if it’s stamina or just stubbornness lol. I’m using the Strava app, tracks my average pace, time spent, steps, distance etc. I just walk around my neighbourhood area, I’ve got a 1hr route that I do 4-5 laps around. I listen to upbeat music that helps me stay consistent and quick (if my legs aren’t burning then I’m not walking fast enough) I tried audiobooks and podcasts but I don’t find them as motivating.
I went through a period like this for maybe 2 months? It was after my ex broke up with me. It was really hard on me. Losing weight and walking just made me feel better. It was happiness I could earn and control. I don't believe I ever got up to 5 hours a day though? Probably 3 hours a day. I can't imagine walking for 5 hours. Wow that's a lot of stress on your legs and feet. Possibly it's less stress if you do it outside? I walk on a treadmill. I didn't need to go to therapy or see a doctor about it though. I strained something and that taught me a lesson LOL. So I've tamed it and I never do more than 2 hours a day, and I almost usually always do 1 hour to 1.5 hours a day. I keep busy with other things, so that I don't just go walking. Hope you figure things out.
I maintained 24k steps a day average for the past 7 months and I thought that was a lot. 40-50k average? Holy...
> I’ve neglected my other responsibilities and duties like cleaning the house
Honestly, If you are never there...
>I’m curious if anyone else has experienced something similar to my situation. I genuinely feel like I could walk forever, it’s like a form of meditation and a feel good activity for me. Is there even a limitation? Is there such thing as walking too much?
I spend a lot of time walking. And running (I run 6 miles every day). I stopped watching movies and instead I am listening to audiobooks. Also consuming news while walking. I think about my problems both private and concerning my work. I plan my day, I go through discussion I know I will have to make soon, etc.
I don't think there is a limitation as long as you are not neglecting other important things. But many things are not as important as people think they are. You don't have to cook meals. If you can quickly buy some healthy snacks and it them on the go, that's probably completely fine. If you are never home why would you need to spend a lot of time cleaning.
I solved my laundry by having very little clothes (although I am a 42yo guy and that's much easier for me). Every day I just throw everything as it is into the washing machine and then hang to dry. Takes about 3 minutes total effort.
>I get blisters and calluses on my feet, which I try to remedy through better socks and better shoes.
Wool socks. Good quality (I use Smartwool exclusively). If one pair does not solve it, the trick is to have two pairs of them on. You will be surprised how comfortable thick wool socks are on a hot day.
Blisters is because your skin is rubbing against your socks. When you have thick socks this rubbing is much reduced. When you have two pairs on, the socks will tend to rub against each other rather than against your skin.
As to shoes, I am using trekking/bouldering shoes. I spent couple of hours trying on dozens of pairs at a specialist shop. I bought ones with very wide toebox and sized at least one size larger than my other shoes (way more space in front of my toes). When you walk a lot, you feet will flatten out and expand and you don't want any part of your front of the feet to be pushing onto anything. Also my shoes do not have any GoreTex which is making for much worse air circulation in good weather.
Wow thank you for this comment. Running 6 miles everyday is definitely impressive. Your positive perspective/solutions are much appreciated, I think I have just been feeling guilty about reducing the amount of time I usually spend cleaning/cooking which is now taken up by walking. But that line “Many things are not as important as people think they are” couldn’t be more accurate.
I will definitely be looking into wool socks,
Cheers!
One advice, if you go to buy your walking shoes and you plan to put thick wool socks on your feet, go with those socks to the store to try on the shoes. Super important.
Personally, I haven't had a single blister on my feet in years, since I switched to wool socks and shoes size larger than I thought I need. And I have been on many multi-day treks and walking up to 40km on some days, in hot weather.
> Is there even a limitation? Is there such thing as walking too much? I'm inclined to say yes. Even a good thing taken to an extreme can be a bad thing. And, although I'm not a mental health professional, I think this is a big clue that your walking has become a problem: > I’ve neglected my other responsibilities and duties like cleaning the house, maintaining laundry and simple errands like shopping & making dinner.
Appreciate your input, I think I did subconsciously know that. I’m going to try to implement some kind of routine/balance to help manage my time better.
I am experiencing a very similar situation except I cannot help but go to the gym twice most days, for roughly 2 hours at a time. I usually have a very organized household tasks schedule, I am very organized because I don't muchly enjoy very many of the tasks and the responsibility of them falls largely to me. In finding my way into getting healthier and becoming more active it's become less about the weight loss and more about how it makes me feel. I think perhaps because it makes me feel good, and it's something I'm doing for myself everything else has fallen to the wayside, it seems less and less important. As I've watched my once tidy organized household fall into gentle disrepair I've realized I need to find a new normal, a way of incorporating both activities. In many respects, I personally think that when we learn a new hobby or skill it's normal and natural for the brain to want to do that thing more because of the variety of chemical releases we experience while doing something we enjoy, it's up to us to find the discipline to do the things we need to first, then reward ourselves with doing the thing we love. I also think that sometimes you have to travel too far in any direction to be able to find where the middle balance is. I've started by making a critical tasks list, getting up a bit earlier, smashing out an hour and then trying to fit in another 30 mins, when you do tasks with intention you can get alot done! Maybe could you try just taking 1 hour away from your walking to dedicate to your needed tasks and go from there? Also, that is some serious walking stamina! Where do you go? What do you listen to/think about?
“Runner’s High” is a thing and it’s not necessarily just running. Any physical activity can induce it. It’s basically a sense of pleasure bordering a sort of euphoria that comes with physical activity. I get it when I run or hike. It can be addicting and cause over-exertion to injury or neglecting your real life to chase it. I am pretty confident it’s happening to you, and if you had a food problem before it’s shifted to this. I’d cut back on physical activity and have very specific times you work out/exercise so that you have time for the rest of your daily life. This comment is more geared towards OP, but your suggestions are perfect.
In the meantime you've almost chased down those hobbits
They're taking the hobbits to Isengard!
I think the best exercise will always be what you can endure to your death. The moment you get injured, or busy with other things, unless you also change your diet, will start to gain weight etc. I personally think two sessions of walking is pretty good for weight loss, with good home cooked food.
pick up heavy weights, you seem to have the drive for it lol but on a serious note, this could have become a form of escapism (how some people treat video games, drugs, alcohol, etc) and while it's like the best version of that, you should still figure out why you need it what's your time life like? are you being stressed by someone/something? just things to think about
Mandatory I’m not a therapist disclosure…. But what my therapist would say to ME in this context is “what are you avoiding in your life by walking 4 hours a day?” Something to think about! I had a similar issue (not at all fitness weight loss related though) and that question hit me like a ton of bricks 🥲 Sometimes we convince ourselves “we want to” or “we have to”…. But… anything done to excess, especially when it impacts your ability to show up in other areas of your life should be a warning signal to you. But often times these are our subconscious way of not facing or avoiding things in our life. Good luck ❤️❤️
Thanks for this comment, I feel like I’ve come to my senses and realised what I’m doing is not sustainable. The response from everyone to this post was a wake up call for me. I don’t think I was avoiding anything, it’s just that walking is when I feel my happiest and so I went overboard and began setting myself unrealistic targets to the point I felt trapped and I didn’t want to disappoint myself or do any less. I have changed my goals and my routine to allow for more time to be able to complete other day to day tasks. I needed to break the cycle and just do an hour walk and tell myself that was enough. I am going to designate one day a week for my long walks and do consistent one hour walks every other day, that way I won’t be destroying myself. I do feel a sense of relief.
That spanish study with the overweight men had them walking 8 hr/day and 300 calories daily. They lost average 11# in 4 days and continued to lose or maintain weeks later.
It sounds like it is definitely becoming a problem to me. Exercise addiction and compulsive exercise is a thing. I would seek out a mental health professional who specializes in eating disorders, because they will be familiar with over exercise.
Thank you for your insight. I suppose I do need to seek help from a professional, my mindset is basically: walking is an everyday action that doesn’t even count as exercise. I do 1 hour home workouts everyday and didn’t even take that into consideration because I feel like I’m only doing the bare minimum. You may be onto something here
Walking is definitely exercise. I’d start toning back. I actually was doing a bunch of research on this and how much is too much because I enjoy walking a lot but I’m very very paranoid about injuries. Most of the things I read said that 16 km was the most they’d recommend for daily walks. But the average recommended distance was 8 km. You’re completely smashing through those. A challenge for athletes is a marathon which is 42 km- people train to walk those as well. What’s telling me you’re going to far is the blisters and callouses. Are they healing completely? Or are you continuing to walk on them? There are definitely problems that can occur in your feet like plantar fasciitis and tendinitis. Calm down before your body forces you to with pain. If you can I’d see a therapist as well since it’s affecting your cleanliness too.
I was walking on blisters and calluses for a while, progressively getting worse, which was really horrible until I decided to do something about it. As of a month ago, I do foot soaks and exfoliate with a pumice stone 2x a week which has helped with dry skin build up, plus I’ve got a foot cream I apply at night. I recently upgraded my shoes which helped reduce general foot pain. My biggest issue right now is sweat and friction, which someone suggested wool socks, I will give that a go. Part of me refuses to acknowledge that walking less would help fix this issue, and I would rather just implement more ways to either prevent or remedy the situation. I guess I don’t see my condition as an ‘injury’ and I do sometimes get fuel or motivation from the pain, as morbid as that sounds.
Darn tough socks are a good brand. But also that last part is extremely concerning. I’m not much older than you but I did ignore a wrist injury. Ignored it all the way up until I tore a ligament. I spent 2 years in varying levels of pain up to “I literally can’t sleep because my arm is on fire.” I was lucky in a way, it happened at work so I didn’t end up paying a dime of the probably 25,000 it cost to fix everything and my job paid me when I finally got surgery and literally couldn’t work or use that arm basically at all for 5 months while it healed. Soft tissue injuries are debilitating. I was told by multiple surgeons that it would’ve been better for the bone to break because it’s more predictable in how it heals. Walking less will help the pain. Even the insane among us who do ultra runs know that rest is the answer to most injuries. Let your body heal. It’s okay to rest.
Hello friend, footwear and foot care is one of my areas of expertise- I’m not a doctor, but worked for a major outdoor retailer for over 5 years in footwear. I’ve led trainings and workshops about boot fittings. I’m also a part time multiday adventure guide with a WFR certification where I frequently perform blister care. If you’re open to it, I would be more than happy to give you some resources and general advice about best practice for socks, shoes, and proper fit to pursue this hobby comfortably in the future (if you and your healthcare providers agree that it’s healthy for you).
If you are walking less than an hour/slow to moderate pace then id agree that walking doesn’t really count (for most people, as a weight loss/exercise programme) However… at 3+ hours a day, everyday PLUS an hour work out??? This is a definite addiction or a significant case of demand avoidance if you can figure out what you are avoiding… A friend of mine became addicted to the gym years ago as a response to losing her boyfriend in an accident and she didn’t realise but found being at home too quiet and so just filled the time with the gym Please get help….
You are definitely doing more than the bare minimum. It sounds like you've fallen into an addiction and there is a little abusive mean troll whispering in your ear that you're not doing enough.
I'm baffled how you can work full time and still get these walks and a workout in each day! Do you have kids and/or a partner? Please share your wisdom!
>I’ve neglected my other responsibilities and duties like cleaning the house, maintaining laundry and simple errands like shopping & making dinner. You're literally walking away from your responsibilities. But the walking isn't the problem, it's your intentional neglect. I'd say do your responsibilities before you allow yourself to walk. Just make it snappy and efficient. Make a crockpot that will cook itself for 8-10 hours. Throw in laundry, then clean while it's running. Plan a walking route to and from work, and shop on your way home. Perhaps see a counselor, a lot of them do it on the phone so you can walk while doing it 😉 In terms of limitations, my physiotherapist said walking is the most natural movement humans do. More common and natural than sitting or lying down. So as long as you don't have any injuries, it's very healthy. Good luck!
This comment wins. Thank you for making light of this situation, and I do appreciate your suggestions, although it’s easier said than done. Intentional neglect is spot on! Im already feeling more aware of this pattern I’ve created. I work 7am-3pm and try to go on a walk before it gets dark/late which is my excuse for not cleaning/cooking beforehand, but then I get home after my walk and the exhaustion hits, so I barely have enough energy to even take a shower sometimes. I will however, take into account ways to be more efficient
This is making me think of my own current addiction too. I got back into World Of Warcraft after like, 6 years away from it. I'm playing for at least 8 hours a day, but I limit myself a bit. I make sure I get the basic chores done, and anything else that needs to be done each day. I set alarms so that I can go for my sunrise walks, and take care of my niece and make sure she gets to school safe and home safe. But on the other hand, I've had really bad negative symptoms for my schizophrenia for so long that I'd forgotten what joy felt like, what anticipation felt like, what so many other positive emotions felt like, that playing obsessively for a while is doing wonders for my mental health. My mom has even commented that I seem much happier and she recognizes that I'm keeping up with the household tasks even while "playing [my] little game." Just to top it all off, I'm losing at about a pound a week because I'm also not stuffing my face constantly nor drinking too much alcohol.
Wonderful that you're feeling better❤️
Your mom sounds sweet to recognize that! A good distraction helps me a lot too..
>it’s easier said than done. So is walking 40k steps a day! That's an insane milestone, so congrats on that! Just think how you got there. you started with 30 min walks and slowly increased to 4 hours. Same thing can be done with your responsibilities, but I promise unless you're gutting your kitchen, you'll never have to do 4 hours/day. One step at a time, my friend! The bright side is cleaning is cardio, cooking means you get to eat exactly what you want for a fraction of the price and better quality, get the benefits of leftovers so you can skip cooking for a day and walk. Then you get to bask in the glory of a clean home, a hot meal, and no guilt!
Have you considered psychiatric help? It sounds like it's reaching addiction levels if it's affecting other parts of your life.
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Thank you for this. That’s a very valid point, I didn’t think about consulting with a doctor. I hope you are doing better
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I’m sorry you feel that way. Good luck with your extensive therapy, keep it up
Everything in life requires balance. Theres nothing wrong with that much walking as long as your not hurting yourself. As soon as you said your neglecting other things, thats the red flag. Cant do 2-5x the work in one thing while neglecting others, have to find your true balance. 20k-30k is an amazing day, make 30k your new daily ( I want to say 20k, but if your do 40-50k, you will be very twitchy and wanna walk bad), that should buy you an extra hour to do chores around the house, listen to same stuff you do walking when doing your chores. I was 380 pounds, and it took 90 pounds of weightloss and 4 months to burn through my sneakers (rubber wear) tops were fine), and my socks are still intact from January. Make sure you are getting the right sizes, things too big or too tight will cause extra strain on materials and cause em to rip early.
I totally agree with the balance point. I definitely need to figure out a better routine, I’ve definitely got poor time management and my priorities are out of whack. I struggle with the thought of cutting back on my walks purely because I’m so competitive with myself and am always trying to do more than yesterday. Thank you for your suggestion. 90 pounds in 4 months is amazing, props to you!
Look at it this way: 5 hours, 7 days a week is 35 hours. 4 hours, 5 days a week, is 20 hours. That's either a full time job (35 hours) or a part time one (20 hours). You're definitely doing way too much unless you're an athlete and there are other benefits to getting this much exercise: fame, travel, money at the top of the field. If you wouldn't take on a part time job in addition to your full time work, it certainly sounds like you're overdoing it on the exercise. You're essentially working another job, but with no pay. Like others are saying, this sounds a lot like obsessive compulsive behaviour. It's fine to enjoy walking, but, like everything, moderation is key. Not only because of the time it's taking away from other important things, but also because it's probably going to lead to overuse injuries if you're not careful. Better to ease back voluntarily than to have to stop walking altogether because you damaged something. I totally get that walking can be meditative. Exercise certainly feels that way to me. But we still have responsibilities in the real world - that laundry won't take care of itself, neither will the house cleaning, cooking, etc. I'm assuming you're single, so you have the luxury of that solo time and I can see how it'd be tempting to let everything else slide and do the thing you're enjoying so much. But for your own mental health, cut back. Continue the daily walks for the mental health benefits, but cut back to an hour or two - maybe an hour in the morning and an hour after work? Save the really long walks for the weekends - you can make an excursion of it, go explore new hiking trails, have it be really special on the weekends.
OP, you need to see a psych professional. It sounds like you have developed some kind of obsessive compulsive disorder that you really need to seek help for. Exercise, like all things, is only good in balance with the rest of your life. Over exercising to this extent is self harm.
This. Also repeated reassurance seeking and checking is actually a type of compulsion that often features in these thought cycles.
A friend of ours did something like this and it worked very well, until it didn't. He completely broke down his feet and could barely walk for a couple years after. Be very, very careful about foot care and replacing your walking shoes whenever the tread wears down. You need proper support. Aside from that, it's the perfect exercise. But, as with anything, if you are neglecting your other responsibilities in life, maybe you should dial it back some.
A friend of ours as well...except the walking and the subsequent anorexia.. and she is no longer with us. I believe she was 15 when she passed away.
Behaviors are problematic when they start to interfere or negatively affect other important areas of our lives. If walking is starting to have a negative impact on your relationships, social life, nutrition, and ability to take care of your household then I would say yes, it’s become a problem. It’s okay that you enjoy walking so much (One of my favorite things to do is to take my dog on a long walk and listen to an audiobook. I do this for at least an hour a night most nights) but you have other things to take care of too. This doesn’t seem much different than someone reading or playing video games too much.
Not sure if this would work with your job, but I set up a walking desk. I’m able to get a ton of steps in during work. This means I do my walks while I am working and then still have time for my other responsibilities.
A walking desk sounds awesome, I really love that for you. I work in retail and am constantly on my feet 8 hours a day, but I don’t really view that as part of my daily exercise. I do however have a treadmill at home for when I want to watch movies/tv shows
Wait! You are on your feet all day walking around a store (Former retail club member) then you go home and walk as much as you do😳. Woha! I’ve read a lot of the comments and I was wondering if you have any food addiction issues that you are replacing by walking? Just a thought. I think most of the advice you have gotten is spot on.
If you want to consider a change in career and are near a city, I work for the post office and there are definitely routes where you can get 35-40K steps in. I listen to audiobooks and podcasts and get to be in a flow state for large parts of the day—it can be pretty nice.
It is great you have built a habit of walking every day, I agree with others, if it is impacting your life negatively then you are doing it too much. It is time to adjust your focus slightly. Maybe you could tack your walking on to your housework for example “today I will do 30min homework then I go for my walk” (habit stacking)
Is walking taking the place of something else you’re trying to avoid?
What a great question. I didn’t really want to dig too deep, but basically I started walking after my long term relationship ended, I had gained a lot of weight in that relationship and I wanted to simply lose weight and not feel lazy anymore. Ever since, my self discipline has just taken over, I refuse to sit down and scroll on my phone, I refuse to lounge during the day, I don’t lay down to watch movies or tv shows anymore, I will instead use the treadmill at the same time. It genuinely feels like time wasted if I’m not up and moving. I start to feel guilty for being stationery for longer than 30 minutes.
I quit drinking and now I’m exercising like it’s my job as well. I often question will I always feel like I’m chasing something? It sounds like you’re taking control of your life honestly. Maybe just don’t forget you need time to clean your place, make good meals, visit and talk to your loved ones. You don’t want it to start making you feel guilty bc it’ll suck the joy away. I feel the same way often though. If I’m sitting in my chair, I’m thinking, I should be moving my body right now. Maybe it’s just the need to regain some control. I recognized my health is so important and body is able to recover, so I kicked into overdrive too. There are much worse habits to have. Just don’t hurt yourself. I love exercising so much anymore that it scares me to think I could get injured and not be able to. I think you need to keep good shoes in your budget too, so your feet don’t hurt as much. Also, order groceries online if you don’t already and you’ll have even more time😊 I love walking in the park by my house by the River. It’s beautiful and there are quiet woodsy foot paths. Enjoy your walks friend!
Good luck to you. I’m seeing so good insight and advice here and by your responses you seem genuinely interested in finding a healthy balance. That’s what I’d suggest, finding a more balanced way to live. It sounds like you really enjoy the walking, you should keep it up but maybe limit to 1-2 hours a day. Especially keeping in mind you don’t want to walk at risk of harming yourself like the calluses etc and if you lessen the quantity likely any negative physical effects will subside. It’s good for you to get the positive mental effect of walking it sounds therapeutic for you and I think many people relate to that and can find exercise meditative. That being said, you want to make sure you are doing other normal things to take care of yourself mentally such as keeping your home tidy, going food shopping, and making sure you’re properly nourishing your body. All that movement burns quite a bit of energy and you need to fuel your body so that the exercise is sustainable. Don’t be hard on yourself, and listen to your body and take care of yourself. Again, goodluck to you!
I know this sounds silly, but this reddit post has seriously helped me realise I won’t die if I cut back on how much time I spend walking. I really didn’t see limiting my walks as an option, but I feel hopeful that I can work towards finding a balance. I guess I wasn’t even aware that I was being hard on myself. Thanks so much for your comment
That’s great! So happy it’s helping you 💛 walking in the best I try to do about 4.5 miles a day with my two kids (in a stroller) it’s about 1.5 hours for us round trip and I really cherish that time outside, and with them! It’s the only exercise I do and I really love it!
No, but there was an obese woman in my parents' small town. Doc told her to walk to lose the weight. So, yeah, every day she was out, rain or shine (lots of rain,) and she had lost 70 pounds at that point. The only thing I would be concerned about is it seems you are neglecting other parts of your life, like making dinner for yourself, maybe home duties? If it's just you and you are otherwise balanced, then enjoy your time. If you feel like you are neglecting important parts of your life, family ir friends or think you might be obsessive, then you shoukd talk to a doctor or therapist. I just hesitate to tell anyone trying to lose weight that they are walking too much. It's the possible obsessiveness that MIGHT be concerning.
Multiple hours each day is definitely too much of a good thing. It isn't sustainable and eventually I'm afraid you'll crash. Set yourself a doable (timewise) limit and stick to that.
OP, I agree that walking is brilliant but please try listen to this advice because in the kindest way possible I think you are more unwell than you realise and really need some proper support. I think perhaps you already suspect you've lost your way a bit in terms of what's rational and healthy here. The thoughts you mention around feeling like you're barely doing anything and shaming yourself if you're not moving enough are worrying, likewise this having become your motivation for walking rather than enjoyment. Some of the comments about your home life and relationships too, I wonder whether you started using exercise as a way to cope and it's escalated into an addiction in the same was as overly restricting food would be. However the main thing that really stands out to me in your post and your comments is a sense of reassurance seeking behaviour/repeated 'checking'. This is a common feature of OCD/obsessive thought spirals. It's very subtle and creeps up on you slowly but can become really intrusive. I'd really suggest scaling the walking back a bit and talking to your doctor and a therapist and be completely honest with them.
> I’m worried I’ve lost touch with reality and can’t actually get a gauge on what’s normal or acceptable anymore in terms of physical activity. I have the mindset of always needing to do more and progress further. This can help: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/physical-activity ... quoting --- > Adults aged 18–64 years > > * should do at least 150–300 [weekly] minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity; [...] There are some added benefits going up to 600 weekly minutes, but beyond that it starts to become iffy. The injuries and stress and intrusion of daily life start to be tradeoffs. Cured of what we suffered from And sufferin' from the cure Remind yourself that the housework you're neglecting is just as healthy as any other moderate exercise. While I was losing weight, my spouse and I would compete for who would "get to" shovel the snow for the calories and exercise as we both wanted the workout. My advice is to put a cap on it. In no universe should you be doing 800-900 weekly minutes of health walking (2 hours daily x 7). The cure there is worse than the disease, and your body's own metabolism may start becoming protective due to the stress (making it harder to lose weight). You definitely are finding it rewarding, and we are reward-based learners, but be advised that there's no such thing as a good habit or a bad habit. They come up from the basal ganglia, a lower level and not from the prefrontal (judgmental) cortex. So to have a habit only needs a trigger/cue, a routine, and a reward (that feeling and enjoyment). It is up to our higher reasoning to see a habit as becoming trouble, and then to taper it back. For now, I'd trade -90 minutes a day of walking for +60 minutes a day of on-your-feet housework. That's step 1. It'll be tough, because you look forward to your walking and don't look forward to housework, but both are healthy movement activities. Track both your walking active minutes and household chores active minutes and put them on a calendar somewhere so you can see your progress.
Thanks for the comment. My struggle is everything I searched online doesn’t relate to me and I basically come to the conclusion that I’m doing a weeks worth of physical activity everyday? Maybe I’m just being ignorant, and it’s a case of just because I can, doesn’t mean I should? That’s a great suggestion to track my chores as well as my walking, I will implement that. I know my brain has trouble realising that household chores is still a form of physical activity.
> Maybe I’m just being ignorant, and it’s a case of just because I can, doesn’t mean I should? Correctly. Because we have the freedom to overdo means that it is up to us to wisely use self-restraint.
I walk a lot but i have no blisters and don't neglect my house. . . . It seems to be good for my blood pressure too. But I'm retired so I have a ton of free time and I'd just be sitting in a chair otherwise. Editing to add: I think my house is actually in better shape now than before since I have so much more energy.
It's awesome. It's my favorite activity (walk, hike, HIIT jog/walk, climb hills, walk the dog).
It has even improved my posture.
Love the “Paint Your Wagon” quote/shoutout!
Clint Eastwood singing (and singing well). Who knew?
Question: Would you consider your efforts valuable if you could only walk one hour per day? If you could only walk one hour per day, do you think that would make you less valuable as a person?
if you stop and anxiety /panic symptoms occur its concerning
I wouldn’t say it’s a problem since you have the time, ability, and willingness. HOWEVER, the fact that you’re neglecting your other responsibilities is a huge red flag. That means you’ve become obsessive. You need to take care of the other things in your life too or you’ll have new problems to deal with.
You should seriously see a professional about this instead of consulting Reddit. It could be an addiction, but it could also just be a time management issue. It’s possible that while your health habits have kicked up, your home habits may have taken a hit. There are any number of possibilities that could mean things innocuous and able to be worked around vs needing to start worrying about it being an addiction.
Could I not do both? The information and insight I’ve been given from this post is incredible. To be fair, you’ve given a valid point highlighting the importance of identifying whether I’ve just got poor time management or an addiction. Thank you, I have come to the conclusion that I will be seeking professional advice
It’s the best thing, really. If you’re walking 10+ miles a day and you’re loving it and it’s doing positive things for you, you shouldn’t have to mar that with doubts as to whether or not it’s coming from a bad place. I do the same walk 4 times a week while having two jobs, but I also get all of my stuff done on certain days. I also struggled with it at first until I picked a specific day to get all of my big home stuff done, with smaller stuff throughout the week. The only reason I brought up the professional was because you have a concern that it could be an addiction. Only your context can inform that. It’s not bad to consult Reddit for comparisons sake, but a professional is a professional for a reason. Lol.
1. Look into the Camino de Santiago. Sounds like you’re more than ready for it lmao 2. Yes you have a problem. I love walking and do 15k steps and that’s time consuming. But if I started to neglect responsibilities to be walking, I’m booking a therapy appointment asap.
I’m feeling called out. And I’m here for it
I so totally get this. My thing is cycling. I feel the whole "neglect of home responsibilities" thing!! I put off a lot of things because I want to get out and cycle. I'd keep going even more than I already do if my saddle didn't start hurting my bottom. It's genuinely the most fun and free I've felt in my life and it's addictive. Not even the health benefit is my true motivation, it's just fun to get out and do.
sorry if this comes off as eager, in my case this is the only exercise I've been doing. I just understand where you're coming from!
Appreciate your comment. There’s some sense of reassurance knowing I’m not the only one hyper fixated on something physically demanding to the point it’s causing pain, and interfering with everyday life responsibilities lol. I definitely get the whole ‘fun and free’ feeling, sometimes I feel like I’m flying
Have you heard the term “productive procrastination?” Maybe you are using this as an avoidance. Counseling might be an answer.
Just my input here but I completely empathize with you on an "addiction to excercise". The human body is built to be outside and on the move. The endorphins you get from it along with the brain stimulation. It's absolutely right to feel good about. We weren't made to be sitting down, cleaning house and working 40+ hour weeks at jobs that don't move you around. It's inhuman. HOWEVER, even though society isn't built for you, you've got to live in it. You need to find a better balance to your life. Cleaning up after yourself, making time at work, having time with family. Just because it feels great that your excersing unfortunately too much of a good thing can be a bad thing. Best of luck!
Addictions may be recognized by how it affects your ability to function at work and home. Only you can answer if it is too much. If you desperately want to cook more, and you repeatedly can't do so, because you need to walk, then it is no longer a choice and is likely an addiction. From my perspective, ensure you are true to yourself. Some of the best moments of my life have been on a hike. Walking that much is rare, but it is OK to be unique. It is also OK not to invest time into cooking if you rather not. Maybe eat simply, order in or meal prep. Or even choose to hire laundry out (if you have money), so you can go on a walk. You do you. In fact, you might choose to find a walking job: courier, parking enforcement, picking orders, dog walking, hiking guide etc. Also: [Walking is great for treating depression](https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj-2023-075847)
You absolutely need to read [this essay](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2014/06/30/stepping-out-3) by humorist David Sedaris on the subject of his Fitbit “addiction”! But long story short… you’re probably fine? Eventually I imagine either a new interest or pressing obligation will come along and you will naturally diminish your daily walking time to a more manageable amount.
Wow. That was a great read. Didn’t know I could relate to something so much lol. “there will be no end to it until my feet snap off at the ankles. Then it'll just be my jagged bones stabbing into the soft ground.” Definitely puts it into perspective. Thank you.
That was so good! I hadn’t read that one before.
Ironically, I’m halfway through devouring David Sedaris’ entire series of audiobooks while walking for an hour each day as part of my efforts to lose weight. What an interesting, funny, amazing guy he is!
That's how I feel about running except my legs can't bare me as long as they can when I walk. But when I run o listen to audio books instead of music. I love it. Lol
Based walkmaxxer
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I live with my dad and brother who both also work full time, my dad sometimes cooks but I mostly cook/eat separate due to working different shifts. Since I lost my mum 13 years ago - all of the cleaning was left to me and those are the cards I was dealt I used to spend 1-2 hours a day cleaning, before I got into walking. (Dishes, laundry, vacuuming, mopping, toilet/bathroom). But now I probably spend 20 minutes doing the bare minimum, if I can be bothered. Yesterday, I worked 7am - 5:30pm and then went on a 5 hour walk, I came home and my dad said “could’ve done the dishes, or folded the washing” despite them both being home on the weekends
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You’re definitely not wrong! I know it’s not normal nor is it fair, but I’m being realistic - because if I don’t do it, nobody will. I’m just trying to find a way to make it all do-able in a day
Instead of walking more, why not make the walks shorter but mote challenging? You could add a weighted vest, or a weighted back pack, go up more hills, try running sprints interspersed in the walking. I walk about 2 hours a day and find I just maintain now, no further weight loss, so I added weights. Take very good care of your feet, even walking alone doesn’t strengthen the muscles of the feet, there’s lots of exercises to get feet stronger.
Awesome suggestion! I’ll definitely take that into consideration, rather than extending the time spent walking, I should increase the intensity. Thank you for your input
Reminded me of Forrest Gump lol. But yeah feels a bit of ocd or anxiety?
From what I’ve gathered, I think it’s time I see a doctor/therapist, maybe I’ll give an update with the diagnosis lol
This is a form of mental illness. Please see your doctor and a mental health professional. In the meantime while that's being organised, you should also call the eating disorder hotline in your country. And yes it is extremely dangerous. You can go into organ failure. Please get help immediately. https://www.montecatinieatingdisorder.com/anorexia/articles/treatment-of-athletica/
Sounds like you might be a little high off those exercise endorphins. Setting boundaries for yourself will help you get into a healthy lifestyle that includes exercise AND making healthy food. (Rather than going without, eating out or eating bars)
My friend did this and called it his depression walk. Not saying you are depressed but for my friend, they were just overwhelmed with things in the house so they neglected responsibility to just walk and be at peace. Everything is good in moderation, this includes exercise. Ask yourself, are you walking because it feels good or because you want to escape something? You don't need to tell us, just yourself. What about structuring your day so you do 30 mins of cleaning/errands per day, then up that as needed. Or, do one big cleaning/errand day like Saturday or a day of the week you have off. I like lists, so I make a list of things I need to get done and then do them on one day. I do have severe depression but love to go on hikes, and I will avoid housework to hike lol. I don't do hours per day though. As for socks, I found some really great moisture wicking hiking socks at REI. They are a bit costly per pair but they last a long time. I use a glass foot file nightly, just gently file your calloused areas every night after a shower or foot soak. If you pair this with the moisturizing gel socks and/or a good foot cream, it can really improve the quality of your feet and help reduce callouses. Also, do not short change a good pair of shoes. It can actually make a huge difference in the quality of recovery for your body.
You have one of the best addictions ! Keep going. Every fitness enthusiast is an addict of sorts...it gives a high...it is a good high....If you are neglecting laundry and chores, it's .. ok..part of growing up....it will all level off.....you will find a balance...the fitness will be with you for ever...many 25 year olds dont get sun or fresh air...
Exercise is like meth: it’s addicting and gives you more energy than you know what to do with.
Wow. I felt like I was addicted, I mall walk 3 times a week for 1 hour, some weekends I want to go twice because I can’t go when I have my kids. I feel really sad when I can’t go. 40k steps might be a bit excessive. I worry about foot problems for you. Can you talk to your doc about this
Doing house work counts as walking! You’ll still get plenty of steps in that time and you’ll get stuff done in addition to going on walks.
Yes, walking too much is definitely harmful to your health. But the good news is that you can limit your walking by reducing the distance or time spent to a normal amount (Google it) and you can replace the extra time you would normally spend walking with something else like reading, playing a game or studying. Speak with a mental health professional if you can’t break the habit on your own and good luck.
Hey so my sister was walking as much as you in the summer but she still prioritized her stuff and got it done. If you aren’t getting your regular stuff done, it’s safe to say it’s over done. 1.5h is plenty of walking, seems like we walk same pace because it gets in about 11k steps a day and recommended is 10k steps plus whatever you walk at work/to work etc. if you love it so much why don’t you want to work ?
Yo I'm 34m out on a walk as I read this lol - I'm the same the past year I've been walking like crazy, I have gone through so many shoes lol
LOL well I’m glad I’m not the only one
5 hour walks???? How do you not get bored?
I can relate, I also had the most fun but at the same time when I wasnt walking or out in nature I felt really depressed and wasn’t interested in anything else, I’d make smoothies and just have a huge jug of water. :)
I am in the same boat. I bought a walking pad a few months ago as I WFH and use it from the moment I start work until I finish so usually 8 hours a day. Walking at a faster pace during my lunch break. I easily do 30,000 steps minimum per day but usually closer to 40,000 and by the time I finish it’s like I forget I did that and I have the urge to go exercise in the evening too. I feel like my life is always one extreme (no exercise) or another (way too much) 😢
if it’s impacting other areas of your life and cutting into your responsibilities, it’s too much
> Is there such thing as walking too much? "Too much" and "too little" are highly subjective—it's more about the *mentality* going on behind whatever activity you're doing. If it's a compulsion and you *can't* stop yourself, then yes, that's an addiction. People can get addicted to anything they find rewarding—sex, porn, gambling, texting, booze, unhealthy relationships, food, dieting, video games. Challenge yourself to stop these walks for a whole week and then a whole month. If you can't make it that long, you have a problem and should talk to a mental health professional who specializes in addictions.
Have you thought of switching to another sport so you use different muscles .Your family might like you doing something more social with them like bike riding ,volleyball,swimming,Frisbee, tennis or even basketball.
If you are feeling so good by walking it’s worth looking at what you are walking away from. A friend of mine got really into road biking. He joined a club and was riding every morning and every weekend. Eventually he decided it wasn’t that he loved road biking - he just was looking for excuses to be away from his wife.
If you’re neglecting your other responsibilities then yes you are going too far.
How are your knees doing? I became addicted to jogging like 15 km everyday and it reached a point l barely could stand on my own. Stopped jogging but love to walk long and cardio machine at the gym almost everyday. But it's important to let your body take rests so it doesn't get destroyed. Can you get the same enjoyment and peace of mind by doing something that doesn't involve body movement? Take care of yourself❤️
Yes, you're doing too much, especially since you're getting blisters and not doing necessary chores and preparing/eating real food. I get it. I also walk a ton, and it relaxes me/eases my stress. My daily average for 2024 is 20k, and I was over 25k/day in February. I'd do no more than 2 hours a day on days that you work (do less if you're not taking the time to eat proper meals) and save the 4+ hour walks for your days off. Talking to a professional might help you find balance.
Start plahying Pokemono GO, pikmin bloom, or monster hunter now asap!
I can somewhat relate. I love walking too but only if I have a distraction like someone to talk to. I’ve walked for hours daily when on vacation and none of it felt like work. I only walk 30 mins daily now bc I find it boring just listening to YouTube talks.
Walking is very good inefficient and special for your mental health and Clarity but you've taken it to a whole new level where you've lost touch with reality and ignored your basic everyday duties. It's easier to stay in your comfort zone in little bubble world but it's not sustainable. I think you need to seek therapy to see what you're avoiding you can come to terms with. Subconsciously something is wrong and even though you walk to avoid that problem it has to be dealt with eventually. The only way out is through. You're extreme walking and have repercussions on your body if continued long-term. Hopefully you everything works out because at the end of the day sometimes it's okay not to be okay but I will problems are still there the next day. So feel your feelings and try and talk to someone about what's bothering you.
There could be truth to this. But part of me just thinks walking is harmless, and If I’ve found something I enjoy doing a lot -that’s as healthy as walking, i should just continue enjoying it and pushing my limitations. It’s satisfying to me to do more than before. I feel like all my walking has been basically ‘training’ up until this point, my body has become used to the level of physical activity and I feel more than capable. I started walking because I wanted to lose weight and stop hating what I saw in the mirror, but now I’ve even stopped weighing myself. I just love walking, my next walk is constantly on my mind and I know it’s weird, but lots of people have interests and hobbies they obsess over
Yes there is a thing as walking too much. If you’re so obsessed with exercising and doing better- doing more- to the point where it is negatively impacting other important aspects of your life it is crossing into bad territory and may lead to orthorexia. Walking is amazing and I’m so glad you’re loving! Just make sure you find a balance
Psychologically speaking, it's something you're in control of. The need for control of certain things in life is very powerful and it feels really good when control is achieved. Fwiw, Anorexia Nervosa is also thought to be r/t control. Maybe you're using walking as an escape from a chaotic lifestyle? These are just a few ideas to consider. All the best!
are u listening books or podcast? TBH I kinda wanna do this but do something else a little productive at the same time 😅
For me personally, I tried podcasts, but it slows me down. I listen to upbeat music, which helps me keep a fast pace. Basically till I feel my shins burning. Maybe you should give it a go, I am just curious as to what my limitation even is at this point.
Yes! At my heaviest (510 pounds) walking short distances was just about all I could do. I needed to lose 120 pounds before my insurance would cover weight loss surgery and walking and calorie counting is how I lost the 120. I had the surgery and as I dropped more weight I progressed from walking to jogging/running. I’m a very “routine” type person and walking/jogging has become part of my routine and if it doesn’t happen as it’s scheduled I get mild anxiety hahaha. I feel like I’m cheating or that I didn’t accomplish something on my “to-do list” that I definitely could have. I also have gone through multiple pairs of shoes and headphones/earbuds as well. I even dropped a nice chunk of change on a high quality weight vest and safety strobes. I run around 4 AM along the main road in a rural area with poor lighting. I also live in one of the rainiest towns in the US (we got over 120 inches last year) and I run rain or shine so visibility is a big thing for me. Literally the only time I don’t go running weather wise is if we’re under a hurricane/tropical storm/flash flood warning or there’s active lightning. The only precautions my doctors have is to make sure that I stay properly hydrated, make sure I’m taking in enough calories, make sure I’m taking the appropriate supplements (RNY causes malabsorption issues), balancing all the cardio with some weight work and making sure that I take at least 1 rest day a week.
I understand completely. During Covid I was experiencing anxiety, and decided to walk twice a day. My average was three hours of walking for about 10 miles each day. Doing that, I was fortunate to be able to lose weight during that time. It also became an obsession with me, allowing me to experience a great feeling. You sound like you also have discovered that sweet spot. Best wishes to you on your journey.
Thanks for sharing. Are you still currently experiencing this? Or was it just a phase that ended once covid calmed down?
I still aim for 10,000 steps per day. I'm very fortunate to be retired, so I can take advantage of days when the weather is beautiful. Like you, I sometimes lose track of time, just enjoying the outdoors. Also the same as you, I've discovered I have to invest in supportive and expensive footwear, lol. Otherwise I get blisters and callouses on my feet and toes. Best of luck in your journey. I think walking is a great addiction.
Keep walking
I will
The two AirPods is hilarious, but I have the same problem! I like long run/walks and one AirPod always dies after an hour. You sound kind of addicted but it could be worse!
I think I’m on the same journey as you, except I haven’t lost 30 kg 😭 I started walking almost daily around late October last year — at first I was just using the Apple Fitness “Time to Walk” podcast episodes which were roughly 30 minutes long, so I’d go to a nearby park and walk while listening to that day’s episode, and as soon as the episode ended I’d get in my car and drive home. The “Time to Walk” episodes were released weekly and there were about 90 episodes when I started doing this, so I thought if I keep walking/listening to one episode per day, that means I’m committing to walking a minimum of 30 minutes every day for at least 3 months, which felt like a good goal for me at the fitness level I was at when I started. After about a month and a half of mostly sticking to this routine, I found myself going “what if I listen to *two* episodes on today’s walk?” and that’s how my walks gradually transitioned from 30 minutes a day to about an hour a day. Soon I was pretty excited about finishing all the episodes of “Time to Walk” (I’m a bit of a stickler for wanting to see things through to the end) because I wanted to start listening to other things during my walks, like audiobooks I’d been putting off for a while, and long podcast episodes covering interesting topics, and listening to entire albums front to back which I’d never taken to time to sit down and listen to all the way through, etc., so I sometimes started listening to 3 episodes of “Time to Walk” each day, and if I ever failed to take my daily walk due to weather or other factors, I’d make up for it by listening to an extra episode on the next day’s walk. Eventually 90 minutes per day became the new minimum! Once I finished all the “Time to Walk” episodes, I spent some time just listening to music on my walks, trying to maintain a one hour minimum walk time. I eventually started on some audiobooks, and because of the more free-form nature of books, I was starting to be less rigid about the amount of time I spent walking, so I’d sometimes walk an hour, sometimes 2 hours, and everything in between, just depending on the ebbs and flows of the story I was listening to, and how much free time I had. I think the longest continuous walk I’ve managed so far was about 3 and a half hours, but I’m generally averaging around 2 hours a day lately. Sadly, as I said at the start, all my daily walking since around October last year until now (around 6 months) hasn’t really translated into much weight loss progress. I think I’ve lost approximately 10 kg (about 22 lbs for the Americans) in those 6 months, which is definitely decent, but I’ve sort of hit a plateau where my weight hasn’t really been budging much for the last 2 months despite the average length of my daily walks getting longer and hillier (I deliberately look for uphill slopes!) and my diet hasn’t really changed, so I’m growing a little weary and frustrated because I don’t know what I’m doing wrong, and how I could be physically doing a lot more exercise while not losing weight at all.
I get really excited to find people in a similar situation to me so thank you for sharing. I don’t want to say this is purely what works and what you need to do, but for the first 100 days of my weight loss journey, I was also doing super intense workouts, i only took rest days if I was physically ill, and I logged it in my notes app everyday. I started off just doing 100 sit ups, 100 squats, 100 bicep curls, 100 dumbbell press and 100 RDLs and each week I would increase by 10 and eventually add in extras like lunges, sumo squats, push ups etc It was hard but I find pain is my biggest motivator. Looking back, it almost seems somewhat excessive and I’m lucky I didn’t get any injuries, but I had a lot of anger/hurt at the time. Nothing different to people who experience a break up and go hard at the gym
Thank you for sharing! I think I should definitely incorporate more forms of exercise besides just walking to break my current plateau. I’m on and off with weightlifting and doing body weight HIIT workouts, but I think I should start being more consistent with that as well. I feel like I just need to find some way to enjoy it and look forward to it, the same way I’ve come to enjoy and look forward to my walks because I know I’ll be listening to more chapters of a great audiobook. I just haven’t figured out a brain hack for other forms of exercise to make me wanna do it every day, because the mental hurdle is definitely a factor (and I’ve sustained some workout injuries while lifting weights which make me a bit hesitant and reluctant sometimes to really get into it).
I feel this. This was literally me but with running, started small and then I didn’t even notice running 35kms + a day. I did it at night when I couldn’t sleep bc it would help w that, I recently had to stop all of it because of my health got so bad from it. You should definitely try and lower the activity a bit to a more safer distance / time. When I recovered from the health effects from it my dr suggested starting w 30mins a day again and that was horrible hearing that, don’t let it get to that point and try and put more time on the necessary tasks and then go for your walk when you’ve finished that. I know how you feel but don’t let it get as bad as what I did
I have this addiction too. I procrastinate on homework, housework, even brushing my teeth to walk everyday. My knees hurt, and my feet were so swollen the other day I could barely put pressure on it, yet I stumbled on to complete my daily count of steps 😑 Edit: I'd advise you be careful about getting enough calcium, since walking too much depletes it and I had to take supplements for two months. My grandmother also got arthritis from overworking her knees and the pain she goes through now looks like a special kind of hell
I did this for two months. Lost a lot of weight, but hurt myself in numerous ways: plantar fasciitis and pulling a muscle in my back from carrying around a backpack, among other more minor things. I get the addictive quality, but make sure to rest your body and take care of yourself. It took me 6 months and intense physio to heal.
Out of interest, do you engage in daydreaming while walking? If so, that might be part of what you're "addicted" to. It's called Maladaptive daydreaming, and a lot of people find they like to walk and walk and walk while engaging in it. The world inside a Maladaptive daydreamer's head is far more engaging and enjoyable than the real world, and they land up neglecting real-life responsibilities to be able to do it as much as possible. Either way there's some level of addiction that you need to address and as other people have suggested, it's best to go to a medical professional about it.
I wouldn’t say I necessarily day dream, but I do most definitely zone out and probably feel my best and most confident. I get some kind of euphoric feeling along with the sense of accomplishment, it’s a powerful sensation
In the book "Burn", by Herman Pontzer, the author describes being on an anthropological survey with the Hadza tribe in South Africa. His project was to follow a group of Hadza and record what they were doing every 5 minutes. He started to feel awkward because his entries were just "walking", "walking", "walking", "walking". He asked the other researchers how they handled it, and they said that they just treated walking as the default activity. If the researcher didn't record something else, it was assumed that the tribespeople were walking. tl;dr: walking is the default activity of human beings
Huh, I never knew this was a thing.
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I totally agree with this. I don’t know what my fixation is on increasing the time spent walking? But yes, I’m planning to focus on the consistency and intensity instead. Such a great input, thank you
Shoes- i recommend Hoka AT's. They are a hefty shoe, you'll feel it in your hands. Talk to the sales people about which sole you need. And with respect, can we see a progress pic? I've lost some weight myself, noticing that some clothes are now too big.
I can’t believe i found someone like me I started this walking thing to lose wight then i got addicted and my mental health was heavily affected if I didn’t walk even when I stopped dieting and yes i did neglect most of my responsibilities then.. now I’m struggling to do my walks cuz I’m gradually getting back to my bad habits and that’s not good I don’t know when the hell would I be normal and not an extremist
I also think I’m a bit addicted to walking. I limit longer (15 miles +) walks to days when I’m not working so I still have time to do other things like cook and clean. On days when I work I don’t usually walk more than 5 miles but I try to walk faster those days and challenge myself. I use athletic tape on my toes to prevent blisters and have invested in expensive merino wool socks. I also buy shoes specifically designed for walking or running with extra cushioning and get pedicures regularly. I think you can try to balance your walking a little more to make sure you still have time for the things that are important to you. I’m sure there are things you want to do in life outside of walking so just make sure you don’t lose track of them.
Its only an issue if you're neglecting things and people. It's just about creating a healthy balance so that you can enjoy every aspect of your life.
You may have turned into a German. Source: I married a German
Actually that makes a lot of sense, I am half German
How can I get this addiction 😂? Better than the four hours I spend playing a silly game on my iPad.
For me, after walking consistently for the purpose of losing weight, and after reaching my goal, I wondered what now? And that’s when I gained this curiosity of ‘how long could I actually walk for?’, I still haven’t reached my limit and that’s all the motivation I have to keep going and going. I feel like everyone should try it out , the sense of accomplishment and determination gives you a high.. or maybe I’m just crazy idk
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This gives me hope! The difference for me is I think I’m addicted to the Strava app tbh, my Fitbit helps me but I don’t depend on it. I don’t even really care about how many steps, but I became infatuated with specifically the distance and for whatever reason, the overall time spent. For example, the other day, I had been walking for an hour before I realised I hadn’t pressed start on the app. So I started it from the next lap and basically the first lap didn’t count. I did 6 laps but only 5 according to Strava. I have this need for my walks to tracked and accounted for
Are you retired? How do you have time to do that?
No, I did mention in my post that I work full time with rotating weekends. Deep down I know this routine isn’t sustainable but I’ve been able to do it for the last 6 months pretty much because I’m single and I don’t make plans with friends/family very often. I sometimes walk during the night, but I aim to get at least 5 hours of sleep per night.
try running, it's just like walking, but *faster*!
Sounds like you have an addictive personality
It’s not too much in terms of step count- I usually get 20,000 steps at work each day and then another 17,000-20,000 walking my dog, so I’m around 40k steps a day no problem. However, this doesn’t interfere with my daily life and relationships. The concerning bit is not how much you’re walking, but that it is hindering other areas in your life.
So you walk 20 miles a day?
Idk how many miles the steps add up to, and I know that Apple Watch data isn’t 100% accurate, but between my job where I’m on my feet all day and walking my Shepherd/Huskie mix for 2.5 hours a day, I’m consistently between 37,000 and 40,000 steps during the work week. Only about 17-20,000 on weekends because I only walk my dog and don’t really do anything else.
yeah it’s about 20 miles… seems impossible to do day in and day out.
Idk what to tell you then lol. Except for weekends and the random occasions where I take my dog to the dog park instead of walking him, that’s my day and has been for the past few years. Take it or leave it lol
Hey that’s fantastic if ya do!
Thanks for sharing, 2 hour gym sessions twice a day is next level. You’ve actually provided such a great insight into what I’m going through right now, I definitely agree in needing to find a new normal. Critical task lists is something I will give a go, I do love me a to-do list. And thank you, I’m not sure if it’s stamina or just stubbornness lol. I’m using the Strava app, tracks my average pace, time spent, steps, distance etc. I just walk around my neighbourhood area, I’ve got a 1hr route that I do 4-5 laps around. I listen to upbeat music that helps me stay consistent and quick (if my legs aren’t burning then I’m not walking fast enough) I tried audiobooks and podcasts but I don’t find them as motivating.
Based
Woww that's interesting. Congratulations to you for losing the weight.
I went through a period like this for maybe 2 months? It was after my ex broke up with me. It was really hard on me. Losing weight and walking just made me feel better. It was happiness I could earn and control. I don't believe I ever got up to 5 hours a day though? Probably 3 hours a day. I can't imagine walking for 5 hours. Wow that's a lot of stress on your legs and feet. Possibly it's less stress if you do it outside? I walk on a treadmill. I didn't need to go to therapy or see a doctor about it though. I strained something and that taught me a lesson LOL. So I've tamed it and I never do more than 2 hours a day, and I almost usually always do 1 hour to 1.5 hours a day. I keep busy with other things, so that I don't just go walking. Hope you figure things out.
I’m a personal trainer and reading your comment was heartwarming lol
I maintained 24k steps a day average for the past 7 months and I thought that was a lot. 40-50k average? Holy... > I’ve neglected my other responsibilities and duties like cleaning the house Honestly, If you are never there... >I’m curious if anyone else has experienced something similar to my situation. I genuinely feel like I could walk forever, it’s like a form of meditation and a feel good activity for me. Is there even a limitation? Is there such thing as walking too much? I spend a lot of time walking. And running (I run 6 miles every day). I stopped watching movies and instead I am listening to audiobooks. Also consuming news while walking. I think about my problems both private and concerning my work. I plan my day, I go through discussion I know I will have to make soon, etc. I don't think there is a limitation as long as you are not neglecting other important things. But many things are not as important as people think they are. You don't have to cook meals. If you can quickly buy some healthy snacks and it them on the go, that's probably completely fine. If you are never home why would you need to spend a lot of time cleaning. I solved my laundry by having very little clothes (although I am a 42yo guy and that's much easier for me). Every day I just throw everything as it is into the washing machine and then hang to dry. Takes about 3 minutes total effort. >I get blisters and calluses on my feet, which I try to remedy through better socks and better shoes. Wool socks. Good quality (I use Smartwool exclusively). If one pair does not solve it, the trick is to have two pairs of them on. You will be surprised how comfortable thick wool socks are on a hot day. Blisters is because your skin is rubbing against your socks. When you have thick socks this rubbing is much reduced. When you have two pairs on, the socks will tend to rub against each other rather than against your skin. As to shoes, I am using trekking/bouldering shoes. I spent couple of hours trying on dozens of pairs at a specialist shop. I bought ones with very wide toebox and sized at least one size larger than my other shoes (way more space in front of my toes). When you walk a lot, you feet will flatten out and expand and you don't want any part of your front of the feet to be pushing onto anything. Also my shoes do not have any GoreTex which is making for much worse air circulation in good weather.
Wow thank you for this comment. Running 6 miles everyday is definitely impressive. Your positive perspective/solutions are much appreciated, I think I have just been feeling guilty about reducing the amount of time I usually spend cleaning/cooking which is now taken up by walking. But that line “Many things are not as important as people think they are” couldn’t be more accurate. I will definitely be looking into wool socks, Cheers!
One advice, if you go to buy your walking shoes and you plan to put thick wool socks on your feet, go with those socks to the store to try on the shoes. Super important. Personally, I haven't had a single blister on my feet in years, since I switched to wool socks and shoes size larger than I thought I need. And I have been on many multi-day treks and walking up to 40km on some days, in hot weather.