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]

Shell It sounds Like you are doing well with the gym exercises. If you are able to do more or find it easier you are getting fitter. It sounds like your husband is giving you the encouragement/ motivation to go regularly which is good.

I walked with my husband to the library & then the supermarket We carried the food home in backpacks. It wasn't an exciting walk but we did it & saved petrol so win win.

[Guest_1055]

Hi Elizabeth

Did you need to like help your hubby to see where he was stepping, or is he pretty good with the walking stick. He has got one hasn't he?

shell xx

[Elizabeth CP]

My husband is good at using his white cane to feel where to go although he sometimes gets overconfident & makes mistakes. I let him know if there are overhanging branches etc which his cane won't pick up. He finds it hard in carparks etc where there is a lot of noise & it is hard to tell if there are cars coming his way.

[Guest_1055]

Hi all,

You and your hubby Elizabeth sound like such beautiful people.

Well I have been going to the gym . I believe exercise is helping me as another way to release anger, frustration and it helps me to stop thinking about things that I would rather not dwell on.

Today as I was walking on the treadmill, I was watching the screen in front of me. It was showing trails through bushland. So my eyes followed the trail in which there were trees, rocks, sand, water, and even other people walking. Anyway so yeah.... I always listen to my own music on my iPod. This helps by tuning out other gym members. Thus avoiding awkwardness, self consciousness, and panic.

Hope everyone is well......

shell xx

[velvetfaerie]

Hi everyone,

Shell - sounds like your fitness is on the up! I bet your recovery time is getting shorter too? You'll find things change rather fast in the initial stages of fitness training. That smoothie sounds DELISH!!!! I love coconut!!! Glad to read that the exercise is helping with your emotions as well. This is one of the reasons I took up fitness things a few years ago. I was a fat, lazy, depressed, medicated alcoholic/drug abuser. (Short version LOL!).

Happy exercise to all today. Mine is walking + public transport today. Incidental exercise is always a very good thing.

Chae.

[Guest_1055]

Hey Chae,

How are you getting along ?

Yeah excerise does help doesn't it? I remember a scene in some movie where a man was feeling so angry, I cannot remember why....anyway next you see him outside in his yard chopping wood vigorously. He let out that strong emotion that way.

And are you catching the train? When we didn't have a car for a few months, that is what we needed to do walk down to the local railway station. It was a pleasant walk. One would look at people's gardens along the way....

[Guest_1055]

Hi to anyone reading

Today I went for a walk along the paths and trails in the water reserve. For any that don't know, this place use to be an area where people got there water supply from. It has a large reservoir and a couple of smaller ones. The place also has a mini train line that operates a tiny train on some weekends . Towards dusk you see kangaroos just standing amongst clearings. There is also rabbits , a lot of bird life, cows in the next door paddock and I heard a horse neigh last week.

Anyway today I walked with my sister down there. As you approach the gates there is a bougainvillea bush. This bush has a bendy thin branch that pokes out. My sister got caught by it once. The thorny spikes hung on to her hair. That day....and I couldn't help it I just laughed. She didn't mind me laughing.

Walking through the gates now, there is a hedge of lavender on the right. To the left is where I heard the neigh of the horse last week. There is a few old sheds just there too. It use to be part of a small dairy farm. Walking along we chatted, we chat about deep stuff mainly. And it feels good to be listened to and connect.

I heard many birds in the trees, and that cute quacking sound of ducks in the water. There have been a couple of swans living there, with their nest in amongst the reeds too. But we haven't seen them for a while. Anyway it was a beautiful morning to go walking.

hugs

Shell xx

PS... I long to say something encouraging to you all, about walking or exercise. The only thing coming to my mind is that our bodies were created to move. And it is a good thing if we can keep doing it. There is also a time our bodies need physical rest to restore and heal itself as well...

Thankful that I walked today with my sister. Very thankful

[Guest_1055]

Hi all again,

We drove out to the beach this evening. As soon as we opened the car door, we could feel the cool breeze coming off the ocean. It was blowing quite a bit and felt great blowing through my hair. Love that feeling... My son and I decided to walk a while along the path. One can see the ocean as you walk along. I am often a bit cautious walking at night along this path. It is lit up by a few lights, but sometimes an ugly rat would dart out from the low lying bushes that line parts of the shore line. Yeah well I really dislike them. But we have also seen the odd cat too, which is much better.

Anyway we are walked a bit on the path then headed down the steps to the sand. The beach was deserted. I counted 10 cargo ships sitting on the horizon this time. There lights shone out brightly. We walked on the sand for a while then headed back up a different set of steps. These steps led up to the same path that we started out on. We kept walking on this towards the next beach along. It is a bit hilly in sections. My son chatted to me pretty much all the way, when I quite like. We turned back and walked to the car.

Ah beautiful and breezy.....

[Guest_9809]

Shelley - You havent posted here for a few days I see. Are you still getting to the gym most days? I enjoyed reading of the walk you did with your sister. I always love getting out into nature too. And its also the best environment to practice mindfulness. I also liked hearing about the beach trip.

I have been forcing myself out of the house and off to the gym for each of the past 4 Tuesday's to do my combined pilates/yoga class. I was there this morning, and I'm feeling really sore and stiff now. I shouldnt try so hard to push myself to keep up with the long term attendees. With my back injury I need to take things a bit easier, and know which exercises NOT to do.

Hello also to Velvetfaery and Elizabeth CP.

Simona - how lovely to see you here! Sorry I havent visited you lately. I am only now starting to leave my own 'safe nest' (my thread) again after a week or so where I havent been doing so well. I have been thinking of you though. That must have been quite some walk around your town, as a couple of hours is a long time. Good for you. I imagine you are likely fairly physically fit Simona.

Taurus

[Elizabeth CP]

Hi Shell Taurus & everyone else reading. I also enjoy Shell's detailed interesting & inspiring descriptions of her walks. I think your method of managing your anxieties at the gym by focusing on your music & watching videos of bushwalks as you do the treadmill seems to be very effective & hopefully others can learn from your ideas.

I have been away for 6 days. Today was spent driving so no walks but every other day we walked quite a lot. Saturday we did 3 separate walks adding up to 17 km as well as short walks to interesting views. We basically drove along the coast from Portland Victoria to near Adelaide (mainly the Fleurieu Peninsula). We didn't stop much driving to Portland because we have visited the interesting areas lots of times & we wanted to focus areas we haven't explored much before. We live in the hills rather than near the sea so we enjoyed the different environments. My husband enjoyed it because he could get a feel for the different areas even though he couldn't see. He likes to listen to the sounds, smell the smells & feel the different surfaces he walks on. If there are interesting things such as unusual plants I guide his hand to them so he can feel them. We were lucky with the weather as it was cool weather pleasant for walking. We had rain one night & a little while walking which just kept us cool. We didn't go north as it is still too hot for me.

I had been feeling down before we went & engaged in some binge eating but the walking really helped. I noticed my whole respiratory system feels clear & healthy. My feet are a bit sore but otherwise the walks have been really good for me. I noticed doing several medium length walks seems to enable me to walk quite a distance without getting over tired. It is more tiring walking with my husband as I have to be constantly aware of his needs & warning him of potential hazards.

My message is walking in interesting places without overdoing things is good physically & mentally