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......

[Guest_1055]

Hi Mrs D, Elizabeth and anyone else perhaps reading on.

Well today is Wednesday around 2:00am....

So late last night I ended up going to the gym. It is a 24 hour one, so one can go any time at all. I went on the cross trainer for 15 minutes. I am now on level 3 yay! Anyway it is a bit more of a challenge to move then the beginnings level. This equipment measures ones heart rate, mine was 130 beats per minute, so I think that is good. It is higher then my resting heart rate. So I am hoping this means I am getting fitter. I then walked on the treadmill and finished on the exercise bike.

On the Sunday that just passed, I also went for a leisurely stroll in the late evening on the beach. Ah to breathe the fresh air was good. There was quite a fair amount of seagulls just hanging out there near the waters edge. And someone had dug a hole in the wet sand. We had to walk back up some concrete steps to get back to the car. It was great to just unwind and relax for a while. Loved it!

Shell xx

[Elizabeth CP]

Sounds like you are doing well at the gym. I almost feel like I should go!!!

I walked to an appointment 2km away this morning & walked back via the steps as the walk was quite flat so I thought I needed the steps . I did them 3 times even trying 2 at a time. I really had to force myself to do the 3rdlot. Now at home recovering before tackling something else.

[Guest_1055]

Hello Elizabeth and Mrs D

How did you hurt your back Mrs D, if you don't mind me asking? And I was interested to know if the hills you walked up, were they like grassy hills like in a paddock or something, or like hilly roads? And has your pool sold on gumtree as yet, if you hubby has put it up that is? Perhaps it won't sell at all.....

I went on the cross trainer for 25 minutes this time, and still on level 3. I think perhaps I have given this piece of equipment the wrong name, I believe it is called an ep.....something. Don't know?? Anyway I really enjoyed it as I was listening to my very own taste in music on my ipod through head phones. They normally have other music playing, so listening to my own blocked everything else out, so I could go into my own little world for a bit.

Hey Elizabeth that is quite a decent walk there, 4km, plus the steps. I am guessing you feel much better now, in regards to those meds you took. Yeah you should so go to the gym. You could try one of those free 7 day passes. That is what I did. And it is nice and cool in there!

[1113]

Peaceful hello to all,

Today I am walking for life.

During my walk I will breathe in the air and exhale negativity.

I wish you all the most pleasant day.

Now Im off to enjoy the beauty of mother nature.

How is everyone going?

Peace

Matt

[Doolhof]

HI Matt, Shelley, Elizabeth and Everyone,

Yesterday gardening was my choice of exercise again. Elizabeth, I need a chainsaw for the jobs I want to do! We have one, I will just have to ask my dear husband to start the thing up for me or show me how to start it.

Shelley, 10 years in Aged Care in the 80's with inadequate lifting machines plus a couple of car accidents did my back in. I now have no discs left in three places in my lower back, so it is pretty much bone on bone. Morphine patches help with the pain.

I'm extremely grateful for all the things I can do! After a back operation to release the sciatic nerve, I was lying on the floor for about a year. My niece thought that was excellent as I was always around to play games with her and read her stories when she visited.

In our region we have low lying rolling hills, and yes I was walking along a road. In some paddocks there are short stumpy crops that must have been sown late. Others have been reaped and the hay baled. Some have sheep grazing in them.

That walk is about 6 kilometres and one hill is rather steep to climb back up. It is lovely to have a brief rest in the shade of a gumtree so I can stretch my back. I try to listen to the different bird songs as I go along.

Today I am going to be in the Op Shop volunteering, so will try to do some exercise at home tonight. We are expecting about 40 degrees and a storm.

The pool...yer, it might not sell. I might ask friends to help me put it up! That will go down like a lead balloon. Ha. Ha.

Cheers all, from Mrs. Dools

[Doolhof]

Hi Matt,

I really enjoyed your post, thanks for sharing with us.

While out walking Tuesday, I used it as a time to chat with God and to be aware of everything I have to be thankful for.

I also try to "See, Hear, Touch and Smell " what is around me, observing different shapes of leaves, colours, smell of the pine trees, feel of the tree bark and so on.

The "Taste" thing doesn't happen too often, unless like on Tuesday when I was huffing and puffing get up the hill and was breathing through my mouth. A horrible fly decided it might be an interesting place to investigate! Yuck. Yuck. Yuck!

Thankfully I had a bottle of water with me to rinse my mouth out and take a drink as well to drown his mates who had decided to join him!

Note to self : No matter what you look like, wear a fly net!

Cheers, from Mrs. Dools

[Guest_1055]

Hello Matt,

Ah you came back to this thread....did you walk up your long driveway again? And was it you that wrote about all the grasshoppers coming out whilst you were walking? I think it was you, but I cannot be sure.....anyway why so many grasshoppers?

Thanks heaps for asking how everyone is going? Me, well I have been working out at the gym, which is really a whole new experience for me. And I have definitely felt the benefits of it. However I still like walking outside, especially if it is on the cool side. Love breathing in fresh air, a bit like you.

I do hope you are getting along okay there?

Shell

[Guest_1055]

Sorry about your back Mrs D ,it sounds painful.

Yeah I fly coming into ones mouth is definitely yuck...yuck....yuck. And I am now smiling as the way you word things sometimes is quite funny.

Thanks for describing the hills and "Good on you" for walking them!

xx

[1113]

Peaceful thank you all,

Atm I am recovering from a major episode.

I walk in the morning slowly with Buddhist morning chant.

I can walk atm listening, breathing and controlling all thoughts. I have periods of thoughtlessness while walking. Brain is relaxing while exercising.

After that I do 20mins meditation. This helps with with anxiety and calming brain chemistry.

In the evening I walk again but in the pool. Resistance. Forwards, backwards and side ways. Again with earphones and chanting, the evening one. The pattern is calming to my thought processes.

I have been doing this routine for the last 7 days and will continue to until the wave lessens to a manageable amount.

To much adrenaline is bad news for me. Any slight change in my chemistry makes me unstable.

After high anxiety/adrenaline I am left with a head ache.... then lack of energy. This will pass.

Thankyou all for your care and compassion.

I feel extremely welcomed.

I will pop in when I can, but this is my routine for now.

Yes, people who can't get out to walk can easily visualize my walk in nature. It may inspire others.

Peace

Matt

[Guest_1055]

Continued....Mrs D I hope you don't mind me thinking it is funny. I mean no offense or anything.Thanks for helping me to smile

Well I struggled quite a bit with actually getting to the gym. I really just didn't feel like it. It even took me ages to find the appropriate clothing to wear. Sort of dragging my feet, sort of happening.... Once we had driven there and found a parking spot, and there wasn't many as it is much busier at this time. Well anyway I told the person who I go along with that I just couldn't go in. I was feeling teary plus the sight of all the cars, turned me off completely. ( sometimes I struggle with the thought of all the people, I do prefer to go much later when there is only a tiny amount of people). So I said I was going to go and eat instead ie emotional eating. They told me no ,it's best just to go inside and work out. So I did. After I swiped my key at the security type door, I walked in with a bit of reluctance. I then strapped my iPod onto my arm, put the ear phones on and started walking on the treadmill. The music I was listening to helped me feel encouraged, as I listen to a lot of that type of music. I also felt more relaxed and not so concerned about the amount of people. The tears did fall though. No one would have seen me, as I was facing a window. I am okay now. Anyway I ended up walking 25 minutes and 10 minutes on the bike, so yeah.....yeah....yeah.

Glad I went now

Shell xx