Activity pushing during outdoor walk even when tight or locked

my Apple Watch regularly pauses during Outdoor Walking workout. I tightened band. I restarted watch. I tried “locking” during the workout. It still happened.

I am female with relatively small wrists. Is it that Apple didn’t design for me? Or is something wrong with my watch (since locking it doesn’t work)? Or is there another setting I can change that will help?

love gamification of fitness. Hate not getting credit.