Rob, I am very similar to you. I am overweight and it takes a lot more effort to drag myself uphill. However, there is something about being in the hills that lowland walks just can’t seem to deliver. In my opinion the extra effort is worthwhile, as long as we don’t overdo it and cause injuries. Downhill can be worse due to the extra strain on our joints, but I have found that walking poles definitely help. I also find that it does get easier and my fitness levels improve, even if my weight doesn’t significantly reduce.
One benefit of going for the slightly lower, easier hills is that there will be less people completing tick lists and more room for us.
Don't get me wrong, I like low level walks too but you're right, there's something about the hills. My knees have already suffered, I've got some walking poles now but still haven't used them yet.
Have you thought about walking to Troutbeck Tongue?
Thanks Lee, I have put this on the someday list as I am currently limited to public transport and I couldn't find any public transport near to there.
Well, I visited Orrest Head. This was easy although the very last stony bit was a bit slippery in the rain and I had to look for another way back down as going back down it seemed a bit dangerous if it could be avoided (I wasn't the only one, there were other people I followed back down who said they felt the same). The rain ruined the views and the path I chose wasn't really what I look for on a walk, there was a woodland path I had intended to take on the way back down but I got confused and thought that I'd missed it with my detour from the top (should have looked at ViewRanger) so I didn't explore the woodland walk which I think would have been better.
Didn't go on to do the other short walks as I had the hump the rain had ruined the views and my so-called waterproof jacket had allowed water into the pockets (and the arms, although I think a fair bit of the arms was sweat) so I went to a pub in Windermere (The Crafty Baa, do recommend checking this pub out as it served about 100 different beers, literally, and in frozen glasses at that) and then later got off the train and explored Kendal on my way home.
Thanks for suggesting it John I will go back when it isn't raining to experience the views and check out the woodland walk.
This was by far the easiest hill I've done yet if anyone reading this wonders.