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......

[Elizabeth CP]

Hi Shell, Glad you enjoyed the gym Sounds like you did well. I started walking but gave up due to the heat. I'm feeling rather unmotivated. Hopefully the heat will stop soon!!!

[Airies]

Hi Shell and Elizabeth,

well done to both of you. It's awfully hot here, sitting under the air conditioner. I don't like this heat. Saps your energy and my garden suffers so. Swimming sounds grand.For the majority of my life I couldn't swim. Had lessons a few years back and yay I can swim a wee bit. It's been quite awhile since I've had the courage to revisit the pool.

Shell good on you for going to the gym.Elizabeth you are a stronger person then me. The only walking I did today was watering my very dry garden a few hours ago. It's too hot to do much at all 😞

[Doolhof]

Hi Everyone,

Great to read of all the different ways people have been exercising. We have just returned from holidays where we walked for kilometres every day as there was so much to see.

Now to channel that same motivation here at home and to go for a walk every day or at least attempt some kind of exercise!

Cheers all from Dools

[CheeseSlices]

I have been walking early in the morning lately. It has been lovely and I am so glad not to have to put suncream on! Massive change from walking the farm last year surrounded by flies and snakes. I do miss the fresh air but admit its kinda nice to get a $1 treat from 7/11. I go to the beach some mornings but only if I am up early enough - I do not like the crowds.

This early waking has some perks! The streets are very quiet at that time.

I am very keen to get to the pool still - my stomach has been bad again but seems to be settling with some selfish self care.

[Elizabeth CP]

Hi Cheesesticks.Glad you are managing regular walks. Hope your stomach continues to improve with ongoing 'sensible'self care. Self care is not selfish it is sensible & actually unselfish as it decreases the likelihood of us getting)more) ill or less able & therefor more dependent on others so keep up whatever you are doing which helps you.

I went to a park in the Dandenongs where there was some shade & the breeze was cooler than in the suburbs. This meant I managed a decent walk There were some lovely plants & flowers. I don't enjoy the heat so it is an effort to think of things to do this time of year.

[Guest_1055]

Hi Elizabeth, Igbran, Cheeseslices and Mrs D,

I went to the gym again. Rode the exercise bike for 15 minutes and the cross trainer for 15 minutes. It was nice and cool in the gym.

Good on you Elizabeth for walking in the park in the Dandenongs. That sounds great. Did your hubby go along or did you walk by yourself?

Maybe it will be cooler tomorrow for you Igbran. Good on you Cheesesslices. And Mrs D, where did you go for a holiday?

Shell xx

[Doolhof]

Hi All,

Shell, we went to Bali for a holiday. My husband wanted to skip out on Christmas this year. Holidays are about the only time my husband goes walking and drinks water when it is hot and humid. His usual choice of drink is beer. He came home a kilo lighter!

It was cooler here this morning so I forced myself out the door and went for an hour's walk up and down hills. I found it was easier to leave the shade part of my hat down low so I couldn't see how high the hills were! Ha. Ha.

I had set my alarm for a 6.00 a.m. start, but then fell back to sleep, up at 6.45 and helped my husband prepare to leave for work. He is always running late!

An early walk is certainly more agreeable when it is hot!

Keep up the activity everyone! I hope to go for another walk tomorrow along a different road.

Cheers all from Mrs. Dools

[Guest_1055]

Great work Mrs D, that is a good strategy to lower your hat like that, to hide the view of the upcoming hills. Ha ha. Oh you had a holiday in Bali, it is nice to have a change of scenery isn't it? Did you stay in a hut or something similar? I have been to Fiji, I think it is a little similar. We mainly swam a lot, went walking and I had a try on one of those wind surfers. Try as in try to keep the sail upright...

Shell xx

[Elizabeth CP]

We went out today & walked about 10km along the bay. I had found a website on walks around Melbourne & thought this sounded like a nice walk. Today I was tired as I didn't sleep much due to the heat so I wasn't in the mood for a long walk. Despite that I went anyway. It was hot but there was a breeze from the water which was very pleasant. There was a variety of views with beaches, rocky coastline, bushy areas & some very beautiful expensive homes on the other side of the road. These houses would have amazing views. Towards the end we were getting tired so I looked up google maps on my phone & found the best bus to get back to the car. My husband enjoyed the walk. Hope everyone continues their walks or other exercise.

[Guest_1055]

That sounds really beautiful that walk Elizabeth...

I was feeling real tired today, so all I could manage to do was 15 minutes on the cross trainer. It has a screen directly in front of you, so I watched a nature/ bushland video. As you went on the cross trainer you followed trails through rainforests and even a couple of those high wobbly narrow bridges that swing over water. I also rode the exercise bike for 5 minutes. Glad I went..

Shell