Walking Shoes - Walking and Other 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]

Yesterday we did a long walk at least 10km from a train station to a nearby park & then followed the Main Yarra Trail towards the city. This path basically follows the Yarra into Melbourne The river had obviously flooded a couple of days ago so there was lots of debris high up the banks & over the path in parts & the river was still high & fast moving. It was pleasant in the shade but one section was very sunny so we were glad to find a shady section. We stopped a couple of times for a rest, drink & snack. At 5.45 we decided to leave the track & head for the nearest station to catch the train into the city. We met my daughter & family for dinner before walking through the city to her MILs apartment. We stopped at the Myer Christmas windows to show the grandkids. They have a different story each year. We then relaxed in the apartment until midnight when we watched the fireworks from the balcony before returning home by train.

[1113]

Hi shell,

My name is matt.

I enjoy walking every day.

I take my dog with me.

I live on a farm and I walk down my driveway about 1.8k return. I do it about 3 times depending on how I’m feeling on the day.

I take a stick atm incase I come across a stick.

Exercise is extremely important for health.

I was fit enough before my last break down to run a half marathon.

Atm I cannot run due to endorphins, adrenaline and medications.

If I produce to many chemicals in my brain I become very unstable.

Consistency and kindness to yourself is better thandoing nothing.

A warm hello to everybody Happy New Year

Im off for my walk now, its overcase and to hot. I might do 8k. See how I go. I carry 5kg dumbbells. Not the full 8k.

Peace

Matt.

[1113]

Snake not stick lol

[Guest_1055]

Hey Elizabeth,

It sounds like you had a bit of an adventure on New Years Eve , what a nice way to end the year of 2016. Even spending time with loved ones, so special. And good on you for walking, as it seems like you chose another beautiful area. That is the impression I received after reading your walk description anyway. I have never been there .

I was very curious as to what the Myers Christmas windows actually were. So I just googled it and came across what appeared to be like miniature people doing ordinary things in miniature life, like shelling peas while sitting on the front verandah. A toddler hanging or swinging on a miniature clothesline in there backyard. So....so cute. I did see a merry go round as well. It is great!

[Elizabeth CP]

Yes the Myer windows are a tradition in Melbourne. My parents took us each year. Then my children went so it is nice for my grandchildren. Before christmas they get very crowded. Each year there is a different story. In the past it was often fairy tales but now they have someone make up a story usually involving children on an adventure related to Christmas. Each window tells a different scene of the story. It is animated so you see te different figures move as the story is narrated. We live in the outer suburbs so don't go to Melbourne much other than specialist appointments for my husband. This made the walk more interesting. I had never seen most of that area before even though we my have driven nearby. One section was a children's farm so it felt like you were in the country instead of so close to the city. My husband has a degenerative condition & he has been noticing signs of deterioration so he is anxious to do as much as possible before it is too late. When younger we both did a lot of bushwalking often over several days but overnight hikes are no longer possible & even day hikes on uneven terrain are too hard at the moment. He can walk a fair way on reasonable paths using a special cane for bushwalking (he is blind due to his condition) but tires quickly of uneven ground because he has to concentrate so much. I also get tired because I'm on high alert watching for potential problems.

[Guest_1055]

Hello Matt,

I guessed that the stick you perhaps may come across on your walk was indeed a snake. 🙂

I am glad you enjoy walking, it makes a difference when one actually enjoys the chosen exercise. What sort of dog do you have? And what is its name? I use to take my dog Coco, for a walk too. He loved walking and running. He was quite a quick little runner for his size. He was a Maltese/ silky terrier.

So you live on a farm...I guess a lot of farms have long driveways don't they? That is quite decent walk there.

Did you end up walking along your driveway today or did the day become too hot for that? It is a bit cooler here where I live today. Which is sort of mid NSW, not far from the coastline. Have you got any dams you can possibly swim in there?

Anyway welcome to the New Year of 2017...

[1113]

Thanks for the welcome,

I had a great walk today. I meant to say not to hot. Sometimes I have issues reading what I typed. Slightly dyslexic.

The family dog is a golden lab.....Amber is her name.

Swimming in the dams is a smelly activity, with leaches. Not to nice. Doesn't stop the dog. She loves it.

I'm mid inland NSW.

Happy New year!

My fam are here for lunch.

I will pop back in tomz.

Elizabeth CP,

I am humbly sorry for the misunderstanding on the love thread.

I mean no harm.

Looking forward to getting to know everybody in this thread.

Although some already know me .....Mrs dools, Kazzl, Kaitoa sorry if I missed anybody.

Pleae enjoy the start of the new year with love and forgiveness.

Peace

Matt.

[Guest_1055]

That is good your hubby has a special sort of cane then. So you can still walk together... And yeah I remember about your dear hubby too. However it appears he may be more fit, then say like before like the beginning of the year. Because I thought he was in bed a lot more??

And wow in regards to the special Christmas Windows. So much work would have gone into constructed all that. And so you have your own family tradition happening there as well passing down through the generations!

[Doolhof]

Hi Everyone,

When I scroll back up to remind myself of all people have written, I loose myself, so I just say Goodaye to everyone altogether!

Haven' been for a walk yet today, hope to do so after dinner when it is a bit cooler. I have been gardening though, raking and picking up leaves and heaps of sticks as well. Hope to do more of that shortly in a shady spot.

One time I was walking in Melbourne, I became rather lost. I do not have a smart phone, just a very basic one that makes calls and receives texts. No GPS or anything fancy like that. I telephoned my husband in Adelaide, he Google mapped where I was and where I wanted to be. I wrote down the directions and returned to my hotel eventually.

While on holiday in Bali we walked for ages up and down different roads, when exhausted, we caught a very cheap taxi back to our hotel each time.

Next time I go walking here for more than 1/2 hour, I will remember to take some water with me!

Happy exercising everyone! Cheers form Mrs. Dools.

[Elizabeth CP]

Hi Dools,

Sounds like you're getting lots of exercise in the garden. Walking in Bali until exhausted & then catching a taxi home sounds like a great way to explore. trfIt makes it easier having a backup to get home rather than trying to judge how far to go leaving enough energy to get back particularly in an unfamilar area.