Everyday Systems

Too solid flesh · Joined: 17 Jan 2007 Posts: 614 Location: England

I read something in a UK magazine saying that lots of people are giving up their expensive gym memberships, and taking up walking instead. In my local area there seem to be masses of plump women of a certain age striding briskly along in shiny new running shoes. Are people observing this elsewhere?
_________________
“Be kind, for everybody you meet is fighting a hard battle.”

idon'tknow · Joined: 26 Feb 2008 Posts: 655 Location: northants uk

Yes - I've noticed this, too. I live in quite an affluent area (I live in the small, cheap houses!) and often see women of a certain age walking, or couples out together in the evening. I suppose it's a good time of year to do this - not sure if they'll still be out there in November Very Happy

Scrybil · Joined: 17 May 2010 Posts: 134 Location: atlanta

My husband and I enjoy walking to dinner, walking to the grocery store, etc. We live in a fairly affluent area. I will tell you- NO ONE walks to get places! They drive 1 mile to the gym to exercise - cracks me up!
_________________
~Scrybil~

wosnes · Posted: Wed Jun 09, 2010 9:01 pm Post subject:

I haven't noticed women of a certain age (of which I am one) so much as I've noticed younger couples.
_________________
"That which we persist in doing becomes easier for us to do. Not that the nature of the thing itself has changed but our power to do it is increased." -- Ralph Waldo Emerson

"You are what you eat -- so don't be Fast, Easy, Cheap or Fake."

Too solid flesh · Joined: 17 Jan 2007 Posts: 614 Location: England

I am also a woman of a certain age with new trainers! It looks as though this may be a UK phenomenon. We have a long tradition of Going For A Walk here, and particularly the elderly people I know make a habit of going for a constitutional.
_________________
“Be kind, for everybody you meet is fighting a hard battle.”

idon'tknow · Joined: 26 Feb 2008 Posts: 655 Location: northants uk

Is it a female/couple phenomenon? My dad loves to go for a walk, but since my mum died last year he feels he can't do it because he thinks men walking alone is seen as very threatening in our society. He has considered getting a dog to show that he has a reason for walking, but doesn't really want the commitment.

Spudd · Joined: 24 Aug 2006 Posts: 85 Location: Toronto, Canada

That's really odd. I can't say I would think a man walking alone is threatening at all. I see men walking alone all the time. OK, it can be a little nervous-making if I'm walking alone at night and there's a man walking alone behind me... but really. That's my issue, not the man's!

sophiasapientia · Joined: 25 Nov 2008 Posts: 894 Location: Michigan

idon'tknow · Joined: 26 Feb 2008 Posts: 655 Location: northants uk

I think it's a shame too - and I'm not sure if he is just using this as an excuse because he misses walking with my mum.
Thanks for the suggestions - the mp3 player is a good idea - I'll suggest that to him. I've suggested finding a walking buddy - I think he will do that eventually - it probably just needs to be the right time.

JohnSnow · Joined: 04 Jun 2010 Posts: 11 Location: Richmond, CA

I think there's a stigma (in America at least) that says men should either RUN or BIKE for exercise, and drive to get where they're going.

It's certainly an active stigma in many areas. I personally am looking forward to changing it. I live in a community in the San Francisco area where I can run many (but not all) of my errands on foot. I'm trying to take urban rangering to heart, but it's going to be difficult when I start working.

Now, if we could get a ferry to SF going again from the marina less than 2 miles from my home...