mall walking

About 15 years ago, a friend asked me is I thought we should walk at the mall during winter. I told her there was no way I'd walk at the mall. I loved being in the elements too much. We walked when the temps were in the teens and it was so invigorating.

I'm here to report that I've given in to mall walking. The outdoor elements just aren't doing it for me as much as they once did. The older I get, the less I like the cold.

How about you? Do you walk in or out in the winter?

It has been very warm here, for Minnesota. I am still walking outdoors. But, when (and it will) it gets colder, I have been known to mall walk.

In the warmer weather we walk TO the mall (about a 10-minute walk), then walk around the mall to do all our errands, then walk home.

When the sidewalks are too icy to walk, we drive to the mall, then walk around for 1-2 hours 3-4 days a week.

I prefer walking outdoors, especially along the canal or waterfront, but it's usually too slippery here in the winter to walk outdoors safely.

I love walking outdoors in the cold. However, not when it rains! I went to the mall with a pedometer and discovered after a day's shopping that I had walked 8.2 miles. Not bad. I felt lighter both in body and wallet.

I walk outdoors in the winter. I bundle up with layers of clothes. Some days, I have so many layers on I look & feel like a toddler in a snow suit...stiff arms and legs! I tried mall walking and I didn't really like it. I prefer the fresh air to the mall air.

Oh, I love walking at the huge Ala Moana Mall just 2 blocks away.
Completely covering all four levels is a workout : )
Cindy

I don't think I could get my heart rate up this way...I'd be stopping at every shoe store, window shopping!

Well my 2 frinds and I decided to go mall walking this morning, NOT...more like 'mall crawling,' the place was packed. People like ants were everywhere, pushing and shoving. We couldn't get out of there fast enough. Me being the catalog Queen, I forgot how insane the stores get around the holidays, phew!

There are some pretty neighborhoods near mine that I'd love to walk through, for a change of pace. (I'm lucky in that my own neighborhood is nice for walking - level roads, not too much traffic, but only two streets so it gets a bit boring). But the problem is - just too far to walk to AND through them, but no place to park a car if I drive to them. I mean, I could park along the road, I suppose, but if some stranger parked their car along the curb outside your house, and then walking off, you might quesion it, right? So I end up doing my mile past the same old houses all the time. BORING.

Do you have a small shopping center near your home with a super market? I have had great success parking way away from the store and walking across the parking lot, then along the sidewalk past the small shops and into the market. I walk all around the market, hit the John and then head back towards my car having walked for over an hour with none of the crowds...

I think it will be challenging for me later today, when I'm loaded down with holiday bags. Must remember to wear sensible shoes!

Anne, that's how I felt about 15 years ago, but now I'm a wimp. I love the climate control in the malls! I love walking around the block this time of year. The decorations are so much fun. We have quite an eclectic group in our neighborhood. Years ago, everyone had white lights and everything looked the same. Now we have some younger folks who are really stepping out. I like the change.

Kathy, how did the mall walking go?

I don't mall walk - too tempting. I use my treadmill in the inclement weather. If you don't have a treadmill, however, and you can resist the temptation to shop, mall walking is great.

Welcome, Boomerbabe! How much do you do with the treadmill? I have been thinking of getting one to use when it rains, and it has rained quite a lot here. Is it easy to use? I have only been on it once for a cardio check and nearly fell off!

Many years ago, in my divorce stage, I had a friend who would rap on my window and say "time to get up and walk". He would take me to the mall often which was great. Now I don't find it as enjoyable alone.

However, when things are really cold outside and like today my power is out, the mall sounds really good.

I admire those who walk outside regardless of weather. That is dedication.

I took Daisy to the mall last night. We just had to get out of the house or she would've been a pain all evening. She did fine for the first time.

Waiting for someone in the Oakland County, Michigan area to join me. Meanwhile I walk at home with Comcast cable.

Keep me motivated, please.

My daughter and I like walking the malls on saturdays. This past saturday we went looking for some work clothes for me. I just started a new job and the clothes I have all shrunk for some reason.

www.denisesgifts.com

I walked all over the Yarn Barn and Wal*Mart today. I bet I walked 10,000 steps easy but forgot my pedometer at home. I am always surprised how energized walking makes me feel.

dananz, please tell us about your job. CLothes shopping with your daughter sounds like a great thing to do on Saturdays.

Phyllis, I've has two of the best walking partners ever. A little over a year ago, I was bummed because I didn't have a friend in the neighborhood who liked to power walk. I added it to my prayer list and darn if I didn't run into a neighbor who wanted to walk, the rest is history. We walk the neighborhood whenever we can.

Is there someone right around you that you are missing that may want to walk?

Chatty, waht is the Yarn Barn?

Dotsie, If you sew or do any knitting or crocheting you must visit one. They have rows and rows of great supplies. Buttons, zippers, tons of wonderful colors of yarn, needles, hooks, you name it they have it. I spend hours in there just saying ohh, ahh!! Oh whats that? They might have a website but I'm not sure.

Phyllis, I met a great walking partner by just walk around the neighborhood. We were both walking around one day and he stopped me and said that I see you in the 'hood all the time. Want to walk sometime together?

We meet about once a week. We are strictly walking buddies, we know each other's names and that is about it. We are polar opposites in our thinking and I have found it very informative to walk with him occassionally to hear a point of view that is very different than my own.

The Let's Start Walking forum is better for me. Stay in touch since it really doesn't matter where we walk as long as we walk. That is the hard part. Have a great week.

Anno, how cool that you met a male walking partner. I agree that it's fun to have friends who think differently than we think. That's one of the reasons I love BWS so much.