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]

I am posting here again to help me get back on track with exercise. I found it was encouraging me to walk mainly. Sort of a bit of accountability. Also I believe it was making me feel better in general. So yeah.....

Since I last posted, I have been walking just once a week for about 1 hour through a trail that goes in amongst bush land, and also along the beach. I have tried a one week free trial at my local gym just recently, because a person ask me to join them. I didn't think I would actually like it, but I did. Except for one time when I pushed myself too hard, gave up with tears and walked right out the door...

Anyway I have been for a 20 minute walk this morning down at the recreational area near my place. I also jogged slowly 2 lengths of the oval down . My body is not used to jogging, but I wanted to just to see if I could do it and to get my heart rate up.

I was greeted by the crowing of a rooster who lives in a hobby farm that is beside the oval. And some distant mooing of cows in the pasture near the train line.

[Doolhof]

Hi Shelley,

Thanks for the re booting of this thread. I keep telling myself I will go for a walk, but all I do is think about it!

I have been spending a lot of time in the garden using different muscles, but it is not the same as going for a walk.

Mondays I walk when at the riding for the disabled as I go around the arena with the horses and children. Not quite the same as a "Walk" walk, but still a walk.

Lately I have been having trouble even brushing my hair daily, let alone going for a walk.

Any tips on how to get back into walking?

We are going to be away for about 8 days over Christmas. Maybe when we get back I will try to set a time to go walking each day.

Thanks again for the re start on this thread!

Cheers to you from Mrs. Dools

[Chris_B]

Great to see the walking group back!

[Guest_1055]

Hey Mrs D,

Please allow me to give your hair a virtual brush then, I use to give mum them all the time. Though she did pay me about 20 cents.

That is great that you are helping the disabled to be able to ride a horse. What a kind thing for you to do! Plus you are walking as well.

I would count gardening as exercise.

Um tips to get back into walking.......

1. It helps heaps to have a good pair of shoes if you can. I think my shoes are running type ones. They feel very light on the feet, sort of airy, extremely comfortable. Though if I am walking on the beach, I don't wear any shoes. As I do like to feel the coolness of the water along the waters edge. And if you are like hiking perhaps you might need different foot wear there. When I first starting walking at the beginning of the year, I just wore old volley type shoes. They are relatively in expensive. And they did the job.

2. It helps to write down a list of your own personal reasons as to why you want or need to walk or exercise in the first place. Put it up somewhere so you can read it when you are feeling unmotivated. ie reasons might be: it will help clear my foggy head, good for my weight loss and fitness, helps me see and appreciate beautiful things outside etc. Also I think there is a list of sorts from other members at the beginning of this thread.

3. Being accountable to someone else, like someone that you can sort of report to that you actually exercised. Hence one of the reasons I started this thread in the first place. And one of the reasons I re opened it. Just type in here that you walked or exercised, it helped me keep on track before.

Okay that is all that is coming to my mind at the moment Mrs D. May you have a beautiful and peaceful Christmas.

Shell xx

[Guest_1055]

Hey Chris B,

Yeah I think so too.... I was wondering if to actually ask you to change the title of this thread. But I couldn't make a decision as to whether it was a good idea or not. Or to what title to change it too. So yeah

And that song you posted is reminding me of someone I know, I am pretty sure she liked it.

Shell xx

[SourceShield]

Shells!

This is great.

I do my best to walk Bundy at least once a day for 40mins - just around the streets, so that all the locals can see my horse of a dog!.

I like to go in the evenings, when it's cooler.

Sometimes twice a day...if I'm feeling keen.

I used to be morbidly obese.

Exercise and me, were not friendly!

I'm now at a healthy weight and building muscle!

I learned that exercise is vital, but this ain't a race to the finish line.

Nor is it a competition.

I am grateful to have found exercise that I enjoy.

That's important, try different things out...make it all work for you.

I understand and appreciate the importance of being accountable, and offer up any support that I can for anyone here on this thread!.

We all deserve to be as healthy and as well, as we can possibly be!

Thanks for this thread.

MuchHealth&Wellness

Kaitoa&Bundy

[Elizabeth CP]

Thanks Shell for rebooting this thread. I found it very motivating in the past.

Dools you asked about how to get started. I agree with Shell that working out why you want to walk/exercise is important. The motivation needs to be about what matters to you not what you thing you 'should'do or think others expect. Start now & start small. This thread is about motivating each other not comparing each other so don't try to keep up with anyone else. Early this year I was recovering from injuries but normally enjoy walking or exploring places. I had several incidents where I go stuck after doing too much & struggled back home or to my car. I remember one day holding onto fences & railing to keep myself upright as I staggered back to where I was saying. I had thought I was fine until my energy levels crashed & pain soared. Even shopping was difficult because I would become so tired very suddenly. My motivation to walk was to increase my fitness so I could go for a walk when I wanted & not be restricted by fatigue & pain. I started very small by walking to the end of my road & back. After doing this successfully for a few days I then increased to the next road. Each increase was small so that I wasn't exhausted after my very short walk. I am now happy with the distance I manage so I keep it up to maintain fitness. My point is walk as far as suits you & be happy with that. There is time to increase it later. The good thing with walking is it fits in anywhere. On holiday there are always interesting places to explore even if its only a short distance to a nice beach or cafe or whatever appeals.

I try to walk each day bt today I only did a short walk round the block as I felt too weak from fasting for a medical procedure to go further.

[Doolhof]

Hi Everyone,

Maybe I need a pair of those boots on the clip Christopher posted. Ha. Ha. I wouldn't be able to walk very far in those things!

Today I certainly did some walking with the horses and jogged along while they were trotting as well.

Okay, I will try to make a list for positive reasons for exercise and walking. I'm supposed to be doing 1/2 hour of Pilates exercises a day for my back but seem to forget or have no motivation to do those.

My last AD had me acting like that Energised toy rabbit on the battery commercials that didn't stop. This new one has calmed me down to the point where motivation is a little difficult most days.

Motivation! Right. I will see what tomorrow brings! Thanks for the hints and encouragement everyone.

Cheers all from Mrs. D

[SourceShield]

Good For You, Mrs Dools.

MuchLove

Kaitoa

[SourceShield]

Evening All.

Just got back from a 40min walk with Bundy.

Ate some cool, sweet melon.

Now eating some night cheese!.

Had a big lunch.

Feeling good, listening to R'n'B music.

How is everyone else going?

MuchLove

Kaitoa