Cycling and Walking

An Riabhach

I cycle 3 times a week for an hour each time,and I go walking twice a week for approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes each time.I've been doing this for over 3 years now-to keep fit,lose weight and just to give up my couch potato habits after work.These are my chosen and preferred exercises.But I still hear people saying that these type of exercises are "too easy" and for "lazy" people,and that in order to get fit I'd need to be doin stuff that makes me feel all sorts of pain etc.I can't afford to join a gym,and I'm not able to swim.Should I be doing something else instead?

I'd really appreciate all opinions and suggestions.

marathonic

Seasan wrote: »

I cycle 3 times a week for an hour each time,and I go walking twice a week for approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes each time.I've been doing this for over 3 years now-to keep fit,lose weight and just to give up my couch potato habits after work.These are my chosen and preferred exercises.But I still hear people saying that these type of exercises are "too easy" and for "lazy" people,and that in order to get fit I'd need to be doin stuff that makes me feel all sorts of pain etc.I can't afford to join a gym,and I'm not able to swim.Should I be doing something else instead?

I'd really appreciate all opinions and suggestions.

If they're your preferred excercises, then it'd be wrong to advise you to do something else that you don't like - as you risk losing interest and quitting.

Why not to sprints/HIIT or some hill training on the bike? This will mix things up and keep your training varied. You could also jog for some distance rather than walking - although this may not be ideal if you have any knee issues.

An Riabhach

marathonic wrote: »

If they're your preferred excercises, then it'd be wrong to advise you to do something else that you don't like - as you risk losing interest and quitting.

Why not to sprints/HIIT or some hill training on the bike? This will mix things up and keep your training varied. You could also jog for some distance rather than walking - although this may not be ideal if you have any knee issues.

Well,while I'm walking I'd do a couple of spots of running-but usually out of breath after 40+ seconds each time,so I'd just start walking again steadily rather than stop altogether in order to get me breath back.

My chosen cycling route includes some uphill suburb/rural stretches-and there are some stretches which I do some full-on non stop pedalling.

Killmurf

You say you started exercising to get fit, lose weight and get off the couch. Have these goals been achieved? Are you happy with your fitness and weight? It is getting you off the couch at least! If you are not happy with the results, you should look to change things, but no reason to change it especially if you start doing exercises you don't like.

An Riabhach

Killmurf wrote: »

You say you started exercising to get fit, lose weight and get off the couch. Have these goals been achieved? Are you happy with your fitness and weight? It is getting you off the couch at least! If you are not happy with the results, you should look to change things, but no reason to change it especially if you start doing exercises you don't like.

I can honestly say that I feel much better and far fitter than I did a few years ago-without a doubt.I don't bother looking at the scales,because it can be very disheartening as it takes so long to lose weight.

It most certainly beats my habit of slumping on the couch in front of the telly after work.Tis gone to the stage that-if I was to give the cycling/walking a miss on one of the evenings,I'd be feelin guilty about it-which is a good thing.

Beasty

Cycling is my only real exercise (I will always walk where practical, and opt for the stairs ahead of the lifts, but only consider this as routine, day to day stuff)

In the 4 years since I started cycling seriously (probably starting off at quite a bit less than the 3 hours a week you are doing) I have dropped 6 stone, and am fitter in my fifties than I've been at any other time in my life. Admitedly I'm averaging around 6-7 hours a week now and its high intensive stuff, but I enjoy it and there's a competitive edge (I took up racing a couple of years ago)

I would suggest you stick to what you like doing. If you enjoy it you are much more likely to keep it up, and cycling in particular is a sport which can get you very fit without undue toll on the joints, and consequently with low injury risk. It's also a sport you can keep doing into old age (I know a number of cyclists still racing in their late seventies)

An Riabhach

Beasty wrote: »

Cycling is my only real exercise (I will always walk where practical, and opt for the stairs ahead of the lifts, but only consider this as routine, day to day stuff)

In the 4 years since I started cycling seriously (probably starting off at quite a bit less than the 3 hours a week you are doing) I have dropped 6 stone, and am fitter in my fifties than I've been at any other time in my life. Admitedly I'm averaging around 6-7 hours a week now and its high intensive stuff, but I enjoy it and there's a competitive edge (I took up racing a couple of years ago)

I would suggest you stick to what you like doing. If you enjoy it you are much more likely to keep it up, and cycling in particular is a sport which can get you very fit without undue toll on the joints, and consequently with low injury risk. It's also a sport you can keep doing into old age (I know a number of cyclists still racing in their late seventies)

Great stuff,begorrah!!

That sounds really encouraging,fair play to you.

Whatever the sceptics say about these exercises being "sissy exercises" and what not,these exercises are very challenging,and you can feel the impact during and after.The weather can also be a huge factor.

AntiVirus

Seasan wrote: »

Great stuff,begorrah!!

That sounds really encouraging,fair play to you.

Whatever the sceptics say about these exercises being "sissy exercises" and what not,these exercises are very challenging,and you can feel the impact during and after.The weather can also be a huge factor.

Any form of exercises is good but if you're out of breath after 40 second of running and you've been doing this for the past 3 years its not proving that great for fitness.

As for the weather can also be a huge factor, this is normally just an excuse to not get out and exercise.

1 hour 20 mins of walking 2 a week is very little really.

marathonic

AntiVirus wrote: »

Any form of exercises is good but if you're out of breath after 40 second of running and you've been doing this for the past 3 years its not proving that great for fitness.

As for the weather can also be a huge factor, this is normally just an excuse to not get out and exercise.

1 hour 20 mins of walking 2 a week is very little really.

I'd say the weather comment was more directed towards the cycling as opposed to the walking. When the weather is windy, cycling is extremely tough - and dangerous if wind levels are very high.

An Riabhach

AntiVirus wrote: »

As for the weather can also be a huge factor, this is normally just an excuse to not get out and exercise.



1 hour 20 mins of walking 2 a week is very little really.

That is NOT what I meant.

What I meant was that when the wind or even a strong breeze is blowing against you,it adds to the workout and provides the same sort of resistance as if you were going uphill-and then of course there's the rain beating at you-and all this gives you an extra challenge during the exercise.I will do it in any kind of weather-so I aint making any kind of an excuse.

I did mention that I go cycling 3 times a week in that same week.

AntiVirus

You don't need to convince me, you only need to convince yourself it seems.

Are you happy that after 3 years you can now run for 40 seconds before you are out of breath?

An Riabhach

AntiVirus wrote: »

You don't need to convince me, you only need to convince yourself it seems.

Are you happy that after 3 years you can now run for 40 seconds before you are out of breath?

Simple answer to that-fitter than I was,not fit enough to run for over an hour.

My purpose is to get fit,lose weight and stay fit-not train for a marathon.

AntiVirus

Seasan wrote: »

Simple answer to that-fitter than I was,not fit enough to run for over an hour.

My purpose is to get fit,lose weight and stay fit-not train for a marathon.

Then if its working for you and you are getting fitter why worry about what other people say, stick with what works for you. The best exercise for you is the one you love doing.

An Riabhach

AntiVirus wrote: »

Then if its working for you and you are getting fitter why worry about what other people say, stick with what works for you. The best exercise for you is the one you love doing.

Tis just the usual stereotypes that can annoy me-as well as hearing people braggin about what they do and what they can do,and then saying "i bet you would'nt be able to do that" etc.

But as you say,I'm very happy with what I'm doing regardless,and I really do feel like tis making a difference.Sure listen-I could be doing a lot worse,or doing nothing at all.

Who knows-maybe one day I might be able to run solidly for 3+ minutes.