I too wonder when to stop doing something. I have learned to start out slow and add distance or difficulty very gradually. I know for me, this is a challenge, cuz, I used to be able to do so much.

Little by little, I am able to enjoy walking, swimming, and I am adding yoga..but being very careful.

Most important is not to start an inflamation flare I think~

Enjoy your shorter walk today:-)

Hi Newroads: I,am an avid walker used to run , jog, always exercizeing and I end up with bad knees bad rotary cuff. Well I wear those support things you pull them up over knees to support them. I walk 1 hour and 20 minutes. I thin it is to much. Dr. told me 30 minutes. Thats it. all it is is pain and fatigue for me. I have been to adr. (long storey) I just take Excidren. I had 1 x rays. No MRI, but do you get tired??? I just turned 69. I feel so depressed over this painMy muscles will hurt to. I used to be arobic instructor i never knew I would end up like this please write when you get a chance. hugs zzz

I, too, have used my legs abundantly in my younger years. My favorite activity was hiking and square dancing. Danced three times a week and hiked for miles on the week-ends when I could, in the state parks.

I never knew that all this activity would put me where I am today, almost unable to do anything physical. My right knee is 50% gone, the left is 75%. My ortho doc said I have to wear these braces and try shots in the knee before any surgery (insurance requirements). He said my knees would need to be bone on bone (100%) before they would do surgery. I'm depressed and let down. I may not get usable knees until it is too late (too old) for me to get any use out of them. I'm angry because so many seniors have told me that getting knee replacements was the best thing they ever did. I have top ranked insurance. I won't get to enjoy the last years of my life because it would cost the ins company too much to take care of me as they used to for others. Very discouraging.

Dear Newroads: It is so sad I just turned 69 have always taken care of myself . Like you now my knees and muscles kill me. I use asprin cream and those stretch things you pull over knees they seem to support knees I do 1hr. 1/2 come home about an hour later I fell so depressed and fatigued. I just take Excidren gives me stomack ache. My neighbor across from me the poor thing, she is 60, she had both knees replaced she told me everyday she is in constant pain. Also those big round balls of Titamin she can feel them move when she walks. and she is a a diatiton (prepares all the food) good job she had best surgeons. and she has gained so much weight. Did you have xrays or MRI????? please write me if you want. have anice day if you can. My knees hurt right now.

My doc said if long walks are too much and trigger too much pain and flare then break it up into shorter ones. A ten or fifteen minute walk in the morning and then another one later on. Rest in between.
You find what works for you.
I don't see any point in a long exercise routine or a long walk if it's going to have you Laid up for days after in pain and loss of mobility. It's just too much.
I won't do it to myself anymore. I have lowered my expectations and it has taken that stress off of me.
If I feel I can do more on one day then I will. I walk, I ride bike. I ride recumbent bike. I still have a level of pain but I won't push myself so I'm in agony. No.
I will walk and if I start feeling more pain than usual I will quickly turn around and head home before the pain is too much.
I have knee replacements. It hasn't been an easy journey. No. It's still challenging as I have problems with my feet as well. Arthritis just attacked my body.
But what i learned is to Listen to body. Pace self and find a gentle balance.
We must remember we just cannot do what we once were able. As sad and as frustrating as that can be sometimes we need to accept that things have changed but we can and must still keep moving but just be more gentle.

Thank you, everyone. Your suggestions and comments are appreciated. I have 2 dogs, one of whom is "new" to me, about a month. I am taking them on short walks, one at a time. I'm afraid if I take them together they will get the leashes tangled up and my cause me to fall. Taking them separately has lots of benefits. They get jealuous when they are both with me, so one on one is good for their little hearts and it gives me double the time to walk. I usually stay on my property (2 3/4acres) and carry a cell phone with me. So far that is about the best I can do. I really do appreciate everyone's support! Thank you!

Hi. I loved to walk also but cement, especially, kills me. Also, I gave up doing my mowing (push) because uneven surfaces don't work either and it just plain wore me out too much. A great thing I found was during warm weather walking barefoot on the sandy beach. This does several things, provides a cushion, gives us a harder workout to slog through sand and gets rid of calluses (bonus)! I also know bicycling is easier on you than walking but I don't know if you have one or how that would be with your knee. You should probably get a fitting for your bike to make sure it is the right height, etc. Best to you! amy

I do have a custom made brace for my left leg. Need one for the right knee, too. I'm not "going for a walk" right now. I walk around my 2 acres but nothing further. The brace definitely helps. I've had some trouble sleeping and I figured out that I must attend to the pain BEFORE I go to bed. I take aspiring and rub the muscle pain cream on the inside of both legs. Then I can usually get to sleep better. Pain will not let you sleep, I've found out. Thanks to everyone here for your comments.