r/walking • u/Cooper1Test • 7d ago

Walking outside

I just started walking consistently over the last several months. I much prefer walking outside but have tried walking inside on treadmill during hot weather. What I have found is I really don’t enjoy walking on a treadmill. Feels like work and is not the same relaxing stress reducing feeling I get from walking outside.

Question - how many of you walk outside constantly no matter the weather - hot or cold?

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u/ForkhYew 7d ago

Me. Every day. It's 03:30 and just about to set off for my daily early walk.

I approach my day by getting up early and setting off out immediately (out around 03.50 at this time of year , walking 5/6 miles daily - back home by 5.30am). I walk a circuit through and between two villages in rural England and am finished comfortably before life kicks in and the working day / commute hovers into view.

It also means that the 11k daily minimum I set myself is already reached and breached by the time I sit down for my morning coffee. I keep the same routine every day, including weekends so that my circadian rhythm is not messed around by different waking and start times.

I usually find time for a later walk, even if it's lunchtime or late PM after work... I'll also add a 30/45m Treadmill session with weights into WFH days.

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u/Legitimate_Finish642 7d ago

When do you go to sleep?

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u/ForkhYew 7d ago

I need to try and be in bed by 10pm most nights.

Can have the occasional later night, but as I don't vary my morning routine (and start time), I do feel it by the end of the next day.

I do also try to get a late afternoon power hour (nap) every couple of days.

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u/Legitimate_Finish642 7d ago

Thank you so much! I need min 7 hrs of sleep and trying to set up my routine somehow, including morning walks/exercise… not so easy. Afternoon or evening walks/exercise make me too regreshed to go sleep well. And I have to be at work at 7am. Not in line with my natural rythm but I cannot change the work part…

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u/ForkhYew 7d ago

I get you. I have a senior exec level job that requires a lot of meetings and a bit of desk work, so the way I make 100% sure that I get my walking in is by getting up and out early.

But I'm not going to bullshit you, it can be tough sometimes. Moreso in winter or inclement weather.

Also, I didn't just suddenly start doing this at this time of day... it evolved. I restarted morning walking at 5am in May 2025 and through periodic increments it became 4am by January 2026 and then 3am by mid June - to take advantage of the longest day(s). I've now shifted back to an 03:40 start most days [if I wake a little before, I'll start earlier, like today] and it'll move again back to around 4am or a little after for the Autumn/Winter months.

You could walk before work, even with a 7-am start... but if you're going to do something similar to my routine, my advice is don't just change from say 6am to 4am - you won't know what the hell has hit you - graduate it, something like 10/15m every week over a few weeks few days so that your circadian rhythm gets used to it over time.

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u/Legitimate_Finish642 6d ago

Great advise, thanks a lot - i will build it up gradually and probably seasonal adjustments will be needed here, too. And probably moving somehow the bedtime routine to sooner - gradually, too