Walking Shoes - Walking and Other Exercise

Guest_1055 · ‎27-01-2016

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 · ‎29-01-2016

Welcome to all our fellow walkers. This is a great thread. it encouraged me to walk today when I didn't feel like it. It is raining constantly and my husband had surgery yesterday so I need to help him more than normal.

I did the same walk as yesterday. Still feeling breathless and my heartrate up heading uphill but recovered OK so that is positive. At least while I'm walking I cant do anything else so it gives me a break. My husband has a history of problems following surgery so even when nothing serious is wrong I worry it will go wrong and my mind is constantly thinking abouit what I should be doing to prevent or stop or alleviate problems!!!

I feel like I am on my own!!! Everyone else in the group seem to be walking at the beach. It is an hours drive to the nearest beach from me. I avoid the beach when it is hot and sunny due to fear of sunburn. Sunburn, heat and sun are linked to my PTSD. I like swimming round sunset but can relate to the descriptions of getting into the water. Maybe it is a female thing. My husband & sons prefer to dive in quickly.

Hope everyone else has a good walk. Welcome Durras to the walking group.

Simona · ‎29-01-2016

Hello Shelley anne & everyone : )

Wow this thread is a great idea! We can share tips and walking experiences.

When I lived in Melbourne (Vic) I used to go on long distance hikes. I loved the hills/Dandenong Ranges in particular. I preferred walking from midnight till sunrise because of less traffic/people. My biggest walk was from Lilydale to Belgrave wearing 2.5 kg ankle weights on each leg.

Where I'm living now it's all flat and dry. I go bushwalking in the state forest but never alone. I wear my leather boots and always take my mobile. Sometimes I get worried when I see a ute because some guys just let their pig hunting dogs to run alongside their vehicle which is really wrong but it does happen. I worry more for my children than myself because there's no good climbing trees.

Oh, and approx 2 years ago I walked into town (13km) because I wanted an adventure. It was a bad day because there was a family medical emergency and I had to power walk to the hospital to meet the ambos. So that was the extra 3 k's and I ran out of water. And I got that Shingle rash a week later and it hurt so bad but I breathed through it. It was all over my back and torso and tum. It was just a bad month in all.

Simona · ‎29-01-2016

This is an amendment to my former post. Actually that walk into town was early last year. I only know this because I just checked the date on all those pain relief meds I was prescribed but was too paranoid to take. Yes I should hand them in.

Guest_1055 · ‎29-01-2016

Hugs to each one of you.

I would like to make a list of reasons in hope it will encourage and remind us why it is beneficial to walk. So I hope it is OK to list here all of the reasons that each of you may have mentioned. I am not sure about anyone else, but I need all the help I can get. The reasons are in no particular order of importance.

Reasons to Walk

So your pet dog gets the opportunity to walk and socialise (Sherie)
To experience the sense of adventure. ( Simona )
So you can get a break from your responsibilities in caring for loved ones. ( Elizabeth )
To help our minds with the storms that we face ( Carol)
Good for our physical heart rate. (Sherie)
It benefits us. (Bluey Moon )
Good for the head. ( Kaz)
Helps us lose weight. ( Scotchfinger )
Opportunity to get some fresh air. ( Scotchfinger )
To get fitter. (Elizabeth )
To gain a fresh perspective ( Scotchfinger )
Enjoyment
Healthy activity to do with your children
Helps to work through pent frustrations ( Sherie)
Helps a bit with anger issues.( Sherie)
Releases a special hormone in our bodies that may help us feel better.
Can have a calming affect within us especially if walking near water. ( Sherie)

Much love and encouragement to keep going

Shelley xxx

Guest_1055 · ‎30-01-2016

Hello precious ones

Received motivation today from a super encouraging person, so I was able to chose to walk up and down a long set of concrete steps. I was able to do this for a good 6 minutes. The backs of my legs were aching a bit. But it was worth it and I felt better for choosing to do it.

Many hugs

Shelley

PS a special hello to Bluey Moon, Simona and Carol. Yeah yeah to you with hugs.

Guest_1055 · ‎30-01-2016

Dear Elizabeth

I hope you don't feel so alone now. It appears a new poster in this thread, Simona...... liked long distance hikes in the Dandenong Rangers/ hills. And also likes bush walking in the state forest.

Hugs xx

Elizabeth CP · ‎30-01-2016

I really like the list of reasons to walk I can relate to all except walking the dog as I don't have one although I can see it is an important reason if you have a dog. I will change walking with children to walking with family members. For our 25th wedding anniversary, when we were both still relatively fit and healthy we went to New Zealand and drove from National Park to National Park doing lots of different hikes. The highlight was a 3 night 70km walk along Queen Charlotte Sound. Our luggage was transported between hotels each day so we only carried a day pack. It was a lovely break from our children and chance to get closer to each other apart from enjoying amazing scenery and getting fitter. I also enjoy walking with my young grandchildren. Sometimes they are so busy having adventures you don't get very far. I love the imagination of young children. Getting chased by crocodiles, sharks, monkeys etc is a regular event on walks. I am often the police man that locks up the'bad guy'my grandson in jail & chases him when he escapes. That has cheered me up just thinking of the fun I can have with my very active imaginative grandkids. Well I better go and get dressed so i can do my walk today

Guest_5218 · ‎30-01-2016

Hi Shelley, I like your motivational list of reasons to walk. Very inspired!

Sherie xx

Simona · ‎30-01-2016

Hello Shelley anne and fellow walkers : )

Well there will be no walkies for my dog Bandicoot this morning because it's bucketing down! Plus I don't have jacket or umbrella

Shelley: Great stuff you tackling those steps! Isn't that 'burn' the best feeling? Give it time and it will grow on you and seriously; it's the best high : ) I wish we had steps like that here but I'm not desperate enough to climb the side of the wheat silo because 1. Its pretty high and 2. If I get busted i'll be talk of town. When I'm in Bendigo I do climb up that Poppet Head in that big park. Great for legs, great for lungs : )

Elizabeth : ) Nice to 'meet' you! Partner's work brought us up here and I miss the hills a lot. But not just the hills - that lush greenness. You are lucky to have your partner hike with you and share that interest/thirst for adventure. My 17 year old son and I walk our dog Bandioot in the bush reserve across the road. We talk about all sorts of stuff but sometimes those motorbike riders come and scream through.

Ps: When I was following the Puffing Billy trail up to Belgrave I came across a feral cat the size of a kelpie. It was just on dawn and we both crossed paths and just stopped and stared at one another. This cat was big and had pointed ears like a lynx . I will never forget that day

Guest_1055 · ‎30-01-2016

Good Morning Sherie

Since I have conversed with you lots on other threads, I have always had the impression that you are quite busy. Busy moving around helping and others. Although I could be wrong. Well anyway I think it would be interesting to see how much you really do walk. Have you ever worn one of those devices that count the steps?

Hugs xx