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]

I headed out to the beach today. And walked the length of that and back. I really do want to be consistent with exercise. Though I have not been much this year. I do feel so much better for doing it.

The sand was super soft as I walked on it. Normally it is more compact down near the waters edge. I looked out to the ocean as I went along. It was quite rough and the waves had that white frothy foam. The swim between the flags were out, but I did not see 1 swimmer out there. And there was absolutely no one even sitting on the beach. I passed 1 person who was walking as well. And watch a couple of people kite surfing or whatever that is called.

I did notice a couple of washed up round shaped fish. I don't like to look at them much. One had popping out eyes. Just a bit freaky. Some of the sand was foot print free. I do like that look though. I walked to the end where the beach meets the breakwater path. I was going to walk up the bit of the hilly section to the path, but it was all fenced off. I noticed it was fenced off at the beginning as well. So don't know what is going on there. The path is rather a long one. Suppose I will find out soon enough...

Anyway I stood and looked out more into the ocean at the end of the beach. Then turned around and walked back. Walking back into the strong refreshing ocean air breeze. Love that. I am glad I walked out there, though I was feeling more tired today. Too much of a late night last night.

[Paw Prints]

Hello Shell,

No I didn't grow up with horses. After my mum died my aunt offered to take my sister & I to riding lessons with her daughter, but as we couldn't afford to go every week she stopped taking us after a few lessons. Then in my early 20swhen on holiday I decided to try it again & took a horse out a couple of times just walking it along the trails through the wood. The place I hired the horse from provided a riding helmet, that was the only special gear needed.

If you are unsure about riding straight off, I'm sure at most places you can pay to simply spend time with the horses just getting comfortable around them by brushing them & then sitting on one as it walks around in a fenced yard. They show you how to make the horse go & stop, you can sit like a sack of potatoes it doesn't make any difference how you sit if you are just walking. Just being around horses has shown to be helpful to people with mh issues.

I hope you can give it a try.

Paws

[Guest_1055]

I walked on a beach I hardly visit as its about 40 mins away.

To get to it you drive down a hill in a national park. Once at the bottom... well I thought it would be quite, but there were a few cars parked down there.

I walked on the path that led to the beach though. You need to walk down some steps as well. I was soon there and the ocean was such a beautiful blue as was the sky. I walked along near the waves, and got wet a few times as the waves were coming in quick like. I liked that. And the water was felt nice and cool.

I walked right to the end of the sandy part then up onto the rocks.

On the way back I sat down close to the water. And started digging in the moist sand. Soon the hole had water that was seeping in at the bottom of it. I could feel tiny crushed shells and pepples in there with my hand. I gathered up wet sand, and piled it into a mound. My vision in my mind was some kind of castle with a moat around it. A square castle with a wall on the top. I was at it for quite some time. Which actually felt relaxing in a way. All other thoughts and not so pleasant feelings were blocked out by my mission to build this castle. I patted wet sand down on the mound and smoothed it over. Eventually I had something that resembled a castle. I even found 4 thin sticks to poke in...a bit like flag poles sticking out on the roof. Maybe I was there for an hour or so. I did enjoy that and I did have moments in my memory of me as a little girl building similar things. Nice.

Anyway I headed back walking towards the steps that I had came down. I felt puffed out as I walked up all those steps. A good healthy puffed out.

[Guest_1055]

Ah I am so sorry about your dear mum Paws.

Thankyou for your encouragement to have a go

Shell

[Guest_1055]

My exercise today was out in the garden. For about 1hour I pulled out weeds, pruned the dead flower stalks and dead flowers from the bird of paradise plant. There was a lot of stretching there to reach these stalks as that particular plant is huge. So bending and stretching

[Guest_1055]

I went to the gym tonight, not for long properly around 20mins. I have not been in there for well over a year due to becoming overweight again, extremely self conscious, feeling shame and feeling uncomfortable with how I felt in my own body.

Of course it looked different with some equipment being spread more apart and heaps of sanitiser spray bottles on a table near the entrance.

I lifted some weights and went on the cross trainer for 5minutes. It really did feel good moving muscles that I have not moved for a while. The weight was not a lot that I was lifting.

I went along with someone else. I was ok, it was super quiet in there. About 2 or 3 other people.

I am so glad I went.

[Gambit87]

Hey everyone!

I went to Kings Park (in perth) on saturday! Its a sea of colour at the moment with all the wild flowers blooming. An absolutely amazing place. A great walk and took some awesome pics.

[Guest_1055]

Hey Gambit

Good on you

[Guest_1055]

Hello

Today I ventured out to the beach again and walked the length of that and back.

I ended up making another castle too, because I really enjoyed it last time. I found it extremely peacful like. No stress or anything just digging, moulding, designing and patting down sand. I did this all for around an hour and until a wave come right on up and splashed over my castle wall. Spilling water into the moat thing. The wave flattened the wall. And also wet me. The castle itself was safe.

Really glad I spent my time walking, enjoying the sea air and sunshine. And I definitely liked making the castle.

[Paw Prints]

Hello Shell,

Love that you have been finding joy in your sandcastles. It is mindfulness at its best.

Hugs

Paws