Walking and Exercise

[Guest_1055]

Hey to anyone reading this.

Last night I had an idea about starting a new thread about exercise especially walking. I am aware that walking is very beneficial for our mental, emotional and physical well being. And by actually doing it....well it can make a huge difference to how we cope with the storms that we face in life.

OK, I am not real good at disciplining myself to walk, and have to really push myself to do it. And sometimes it is even hard to leave this bedroom. Anyway I am not a beginner walker, as I have stuck to sort of a plan before. So I know that it does make me feel somewhat better. But I only stayed on the plan for a couple of months, then gave up.....for whatever reason. So here I am again wanting desperately to not fail this time.

So I guess this thread is for anyone that does walk, anyone that is struggling to walk because of depression or anxiety issues. And anyone else really......

I am unsure of the outcome of all this. But my ideas included: Sharing about things we have found out about exercise especially about walking. Writing down the reasons that one would chose to walk ( like something to help motivate). Being accountable in same way. Sharing about the places where we actually do walk, like the beach, gym, around the block, with the dog, out to the clothesline and back. And any other useful tips that could help others. So here we go......

[Guest_1055]

Hi Elizabeth.

I totally agree about needing humour when things seem to be going wrong. It can just help take out the heaviness out of life or something. Plus it can feel physically good just to see the funny side.

Thanks for sharing about how you hubby walks, he seems quite a determined sort of person.

And no you never have given me the impression you don't like me. It is my own insecurities coming from within me.

And just for the record, I admire you especially for how you spend time with your grandchildren. And I like the fact that you shared adventures with your family climbing up mountains and such. That is way cool..

[Guest_1055]

Hi Sherie

Did you have the opportunity to go out walking with little Holly? I haven't been for a walk as yet today, but I do plan to. Most likely at the beach.

Thanks for your encouraging words, I haven't had many people in my life say they like me apart from a couple of family members. And I am not even sure if I am supposed to feel something, but I guess I do feel something. And it isn't a bad feeling. So thank you heaps.

I am hoping you are having a more peaceful sort of day Sherie. Just nice and calm within yourself.

Shell xx

[Guest_5218]

Hello Shell.

Yes I did go for a walk this morning with Holly. And the sun even came out for a little while whilst we were walking, so that was pleasant.

We went bush walking again today. Do you remember me telling you about the area between a new housing area and a lake near the river? It joins up to the back of all the recreation grounds where we often go walking. But they only fairly recently opened up this area by slashing it. So we went there today.

It was nice, we saw lots of birds. No people. And we also came across a large mob of kangaroos up near the lake where the forrest borders it. So that was a nice sight. They just sat up and looked at Holly and I, they didnt seem scared at all. There would have been at least 20 of them, ranging in age from fully grown to some little joeys. This reminded me of Kanga, whom we havent seen around for a while.

I dont think Holly has seen kangaroos before, so I didnt know what she would think of them. They were about 60 - 70 meters away from where we stood. Holly just stood looking at them initially. Didnt seem overly excited about them, just curious. She didnt know what they were. She started to walk towards them, but I called her back. I didnt want her tangling with them, as they could rip her to shreds if they got hold of her. And she was just curious and wanting a closer look, totally unsuspecting that they could harm her.

Anyway eventually they decided to move off, and we continued to walk to where they were. Holly had a good sniff around. Lots of new smells for her.

I didnt walk very far today, only about 45mins in total. I just wasnt feeling like doing too much - still getting intermittant dizziness and racing heart. Its obviously the anxiety, rather than the meds.

But it was a good walk, and I'm pleased I made the effort. I do feel a little clearer in the head now. And I used the experience to practice my mindfulness training. I think I am improving in that area ... slowly.

I have been following your walks Shell and yours too Elizabeth, even though I havent had any to contribute to your thread. I'm pleased to see that you are both keeping up your regular walking, or at least as regular as you possibly can. Well done you two.

Sherie xx

[Elizabeth CP]

Hi Sherie & Shell. Glad you were able to go for a walk today Sherie & 45 min is fine. My walks are normally shorter than that. Today I went for a walk in the morning before the rain was forcasted but then walked to the station at lunch time as I had to meet my husband at the hospital for a neurologist appointment. He went to metalwork at Vision Australia in the morning. I arrived at the station to be told the train weren't running due to a fallen tree. Buses were ordered but they were unsure when they would arrive so I walked back home in a hurry so I could drive into the city & find a park. Not my idea of fun. I'm now feeling tired after driving home in peak hour!!!!

[Guest_1055]

Yes I vaguely remember a previous walk that you mentioned in regards to a the recreation area Sherie. Was the slashed part the route that goes along the river there? A lake and a river, that sounds pretty nice. Maybe I will Google it.

I really like kangaroos, and ever since I saw one the other day , making its way across the road, I like them even more. They seem so unique, because they really spring, as the bound along.

I can almost see little Holly in my mind staring at the kangaroos. Yeah and where is Kanga, he was hiding somewhere in someplace where he doesn't need to get his own meals.

I am glad you were able to walk, did it help take your mind off other thoughts?

And now that I have read Mr Woofs thread on compliments. I see that you gave one to Elizabeth and I. So thanks heaps Sherie.​

Love

Shell xx

[Doolhof]

Hi Everyone,

It has been quite a while since I shared here. I see Shell mentioned kangaroos. Where I grew up we saw a lot of kangaroos, they really are beautiful animals. In this region where we live now, we also see kangaroos on the road.

There is a National Park close to us where I have seen up to 30 kangaroos in an hour's walk. I love watching the joeys. The roos in this park are relatively used to humans and don't hop away straight away so I can admire them from a decent distance.

I was feeling a little flat the other morning, so I stopped at the local creek to see if it had any water in it since our recent rains. I was happy to see there was a lot of water and the ponds were full as well. I stopped to listen tot he frogs and the birds. I only had 5 minutes there, but I felt refreshed and revigorated just by that short period of time listening and seeing nature.

Wishing you all a week where you have enjoyable walks and calm moments.

Cheers from Mrs. Dools

[Guest_1055]

Hi Elizabeth, Sherie and Mrs D.

It is a nice surprise to see you pop in here Mrs D. I am sorry you were feeling a bit flat the other day. I hope you are a little less flat now.

I went on a spontaneous sort of walk in the late afternoon. We pulled into a Coles supermarket a few suburbs away from our place. I was really feeling very foggy in the head. So I thought if I could just walk a while in the fresh chilly air, my head might clear a bit. So I left the person to do there shopping, and headed on home.

After leaving Coles and the busy... busy... carpark, I turned right and started to walk on the concrete path. On my left is a library, hall and some tennis courts. On my right, and a little bit further on is the local primary school. I kept walking on the path, the path was running along side the road. It was getting a bit dark now, so I needed to watch carefully where I was stepping, as the path was uneven in places.

I eventually turned a corner, and continued, passing by some old homes, the real estate and some tax office place​. There was also streets along this stretch that I needed to cross over. This path led me across a narrow bridge over the train line. I could here the speaker from the train station saying " the next train to arrive at platform one goes to......"

I still kept walking and walking until I needed to cross over the main road. Walking along this stretch was a bit easier as it had many more street lights. I kept noticing a particular weed that was growing in the vegetation along the path. And it was one from the "mini weed lesson"I had with my sister on Wednesday. Listening I could here frogs or crickets in the wetlands, which bordered one side of the road.

Eventually I made it home, in which I am now feeling thankful.

[Elizabeth CP]

Hi Shell, I hope the walk helped clear your head & made you feel better. Sorry I haven't had much time to post lately. Saturday I babysat my daughters kids in the morning. My son came over with his two so they could spend time with their cousins. I went for a short walk to the nearest playground with the kids. I raced my grandsons on the racetrack beside the playground. I lost partly because I can't run & I was pushing the pram but also my grandsons cheat so they got a head start each time. They enjoyed winning & I got extra exercise.

I missed walking yesterday. Today I had a physio appointment & planned to walk there but was running late so I parked the car half way & then walked. Rather than going the shortest way I headed up some steep steps up the hill & then returned halfway to another road that led to the hospital. I was really puffed walking up the steps but the rest of the walk allowed me time to cool down & get my breath back before physio. On the way back to the car I headed up a very steep road from the hospital which led to some more steps which have been redone recently. I haven't been up there for years. Each step up the road was slow because it was so steep. I stopped at the end of the road & turned around to look downhill. This gave me a chance to catch my breath before tackling the steps & gave me the chance to see how far I'd gone which helps give me a boost. I started a diet today as I have been feeling fat & ugly & very uncomfortable due to the weight I've put on. My injuries haven't helped as I have been restricted in what I could do & turned to food for comfort. I need to exercise consistently while dieting otherwise diets don't work for me. Today I have done well & feel better for eating healthy.

[Elizabeth CP]

I walked both today & yesterday. Yesterday I walked up & down the steps twice. I tried to walk as fast as I could to increase my heart rate. I past one lady with a dog twice as we headed opposite directions. We exchanged a few words each time. She seemed nice & friendly. Today I did the steps & continued up the steep road to the highest point before heading back. I was really puffed but recovered quickly once heading downhill. My walks aren't exciting but I'm doing them!!!

[Guest_1055]

Hi Elizabeth, you sound like you are really getting into the walking, even your last post sounds like you are being real speedy. Thus you have inspired me to walk faster too, to increase my heart rate. So thank you very much for that.

I am too trying to eat more healthy food, especially more fruit and vegetables. I have found the easiet way for me to eat leafy greens, is by juicing them actually. I notice a significant difference within my body if I don't have a fresh extracted juice every day. Plus I find the skin on my face gets so clear and healthy looking when I consume the greens. I just need to discipline myself to do this every day.

I too went on a walk today, around the reservoir again. We went in the late afternoon. It is the time the kangaroos seem to be around the most, as well as large groups of water birds. There were heaps of ducks, that were quite vocal. Maybe they were getting settled for the night or something.

So Elizabeth, are you finding you have more energy to walk, since you are eating more healthy? Anyway good on you!!!