Walking

I know it is said to do 10,000 steps a day. This week I have managed 8212 mon 8244 tues8017weds 9048 Thurs and today8131steps. I have had to push myself because of my constant pain in my back and legs but I really want to lose the weight. no pain killers or any other thing takes the pain away must keep going

[Itsbab]

Hi Caroline62

Do you know why you have pain in your back and legs? I have hip pain due to a fall I had last year, sometimes it is ok other days it gets inflamed and causes hip/lower back pain. Some days I don't do enough steps but my advice would be if it hurts stop. Tomorrow is another day just do what you can, you can always sit and do some arm/upper body exercises sitting down. Bev

[Hidden in reply to Itsbab]

I have 2traped nerves in my back between lumber3@4 . Had parcial disc out 20 yrs ago then fusion between lumber 4/5. Over the years pain got worse several times prolapse disc. Now over last 2 yrs lumber 3&4 has been prolapse this was found after a MRI. Had nerve condition test shows 5 damaged nerves in right leg. Pins needles in both feet and up to knees. I also Have lees feeling in both legs below knees. It always feel as though something is walking up and down my legs. If I waited till pain left I would never move again..so sorry to go on a bit but maybe you understand a bit better more why I do it

[Itsbab in reply to Hidden]

I can fully understand how much pain you must be in on a daily basis, I wish I could offer some advice but I can't as I am not medically trained. Only to take each day as it comes, not over do it and get as much medical help you can which I am sure you are doing already. My husband has MS he has no feeling in his legs from the thigh down he says it is like his legs are in water, sometimes he wobbles over from lack of co -ordination but at least he isn't in pain with it . I hope there is someone on the forum who can offer a little better advice than I can.

[Zest Healthy BMI]

Hi Caroline62,

I was congratulating you on your steps achieved, but I think it's prudent to find out why you have the back and leg pain, as Itsbab has suggested, and I hope you'll pace yourself and ensure you don't overdo things - take your GP's advice or medical advisor, and ensure you keep safe.

Wishing you a great week ahead.

Lowcal

[Caz28]

Hi, I've had an illness for a while but recovered now and started walking again, I can appreciate the effort you have put in to achieve your steps, it's not easy! I start off quite slowly and gradually speed up and then slow down again towards the end of the walk and that seems to help. I get some pain in my shins, heels and back, nothing major though. As others have said, if it's really hurting don't push yourself too much, it will get easier, aim to build up gradually, the 10,000 is just a number! Good luck!

[Hidden in reply to Caz28]

I have to push myself otherwise I would never get up out of bed

[Hidden]

I wrote a little bit about myself but put in in the wrong place to read you have to go back upwards a little bit to read it

[Caz28 in reply to Hidden]

I can sympathise with your back problems! I had a sporting injury when I was 13 and have damage to the lower 2 discs and 1 in my neck, flare ups are bad but the longer I go between episodes the stronger it feels, I've ended up with some arthritis and have osteoporosis. My advice would be to discuss your specific problems with your GP, tell him you have taken up walking and what is happening and get support and advice.

[DartmoorDumpling Restart Feb 2024]

Have you considered swimming occasionally as an alternative exercise? Less load bearing and easier on the skeleton. Also, is cycling any less painful, as that doesn't jar the body so much? Both are excellent fat-burners.

[tarot-jac]

Brave Caroline! I do hope the pain eases a bit with the weight loss.

[IndigoBlue61]

I also have a chronic condition and aim to do 5000 steps as well as cycling swimming and yoga. If I do too much and create the inflammation then it just makes things worse 😕 Have you seen a Physio? Do you realise you can self refer to a Physio? They are very knowledgeable people! 😊

Best wishes

[Hidden]

Yes seen physio go to pain clinic had epidural facet joint injections. Acupuncture tens machine. No good take pain killers and have patches on that work a bit. Surgeon said if I am unable to control my bladder come back. I have to keep going.

[IndigoBlue61 in reply to Hidden]

The problem within the weight loss/exercise/cardio cycle is finding something you CAN do to increase heartbeat and therefore give yourself a decent cardio burn without exacerbatingg your condition 😕 This is problematic for those with a chronic condition. However, with regards to weight loss it is more about what you eat 😕 If you can establish a sensible healthy eating plan then the weight will come off and hopefully exercise will become easier 😊 But it is important not to try to do too much, the 10,000 step guidelines are for those in good health, my Physio was quite insistent that I did not attempt it!!

Good luck and best wishes 😊

[Osiris275]

You're doing wonderfully well. You'll find as you lose weight that things loosen up and get a bit easier, and before you know it, you'll manage more steps without realizing!

Remember, every step helps. I've lost most of my weight purely by walking. Some say you can't lose weight by walking alone but you really can as log as you're in a calorie deficit.

[esull]

Hi Caroline,

You should be really proud of those numbers especially if you have been experiencing pain in your legs.

10,000 is just a guideline I read somewhere that on average people do about 7,500 steps a day so you are ABOVE the norm.

Well done and I hope you are not in too much discomfort