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]

I've been struggling due to the lockdown. Feeling trapped at home is a real trigger for me. I can't be in the house with any doors locked and won't have window locks. My psych encouraged me to get out preferably twice a day even though we are supposed to only go out once. He insisted it is essential for my MH. Last year I was told to carry his contact details in case I was stopped by the police so they could speak to him to verify that I need to be out.

Today we went to a nearby park within my 1km limit but outside the 5km limit. Walking over the dam wall was shocking as the wind was freezing & so strong but once we got into the bush it stopped the wind. The track around the lake was extremely busy but the bush track was very quiet. Along the was was some relics of an old tramline used to cart rocks. It was interesting reading the information panels. One section I noticed when looking from one direction the trees were in straight lines and all similar age apart from a few saplings. I guess it was planted some time ago. At the high point we sat on a rock to have a snack before heading back via a different route. One track followed the boundary of the parl with forest one side and expensive houses on large blocks on the other. One house had a tennis court. Another had a large cubby and lots of play equipment for kids. I particularly like a white weatherboard house with a big verandah on the west side providing shade in summer and a room on the north with lovely big attractive windows on the north which would give lots of sun in the winter and a lovely view of the park.

[Doolhof]

Hi Dear Shell,

You are an inspiration! I really enjoy reading about your walks, you have a wonderful way of connecting people to your experiences. I greatly appreciate your encouragement, so thank you so much for all your sharing and the care you show people, me included.

I did feel like I had a mini holiday yesterday. I was pleased with myself that I went for a drive and walk somewhere different. Yes it was a little adventure and like a mini holiday.

Being in the storm was a little concerning as I had no idea how long the rain was going to last, the bush I was trying to shelter under was only a metre high and sparse. My car was an hour's walk away and the temperature was dropping.

I did have a laugh to myself though at my predicament and wondered what I looked like huddled under a bush!

Next time I may take a back pack and a rain jacket.

I hope to return there some time for a further look along different tracks.

This morning I did more stretches and gathered up some sticks and branches before work. I found some awful prickly weeds as well and started to pull them up.

I'm considering new places I can go walking another day.

Cheers to you Shell and to all reading, from Dools

[Doolhof]

Hi Elizabeth,

Thanks for sharing how you are feeling and also the story about your walk. Our state has not been in lock down for a while now so I have forgotten what it is like. We have a large block, so I had been able to have a decent walk around and around the block in different directions during our lock down.

It is interesting seeing what people have in their gardens and yards. I like walking around the streets in the bigger towns near us as they all seem to have loads of water for their gardens. Some are very attractive and colourful.

While walking about in our garden this morning I noticed the sour sobs are starting to grow and there was a little grass about 3 cm high poking out of the dirt in sparse patches.

Hope you have more freedom soon Elizabeth!

Cheers form Dools

[Guest_1055]

Hi dear Elizabeth, you would have felt extremely alive walking over that dam wall. Invigorating plus plus plus. Icy! Did you have rosy cheeks after the freezing wind?

I am sorry you seem to be feeling trapped. Wish I could help so you wouldn't feel it.. Hopefully the lock downs will be all over soon. And you can feel more free.

You noticed quite a lot on your walk. Did that get you out of your other possible thoughts, maybe the trapped feeling? Even if it was for just a little while? Was there water in the dam at all?

Love beautiful large verandahs. The old fashioned timber plank ones mostly. There have a homey warmth about them. Plus they can look real good.

[Guest_1055]

I walked out on the breakwater path again tonight. Oh my gosh it was icy cold out there. The thick jacket I had on was toasty though. Had to borrow a beanie. My face felt very much awake. I am not sure why I like that sensation so much. Just helps my head be clear or something as well. I also like breathing in deep the chilly air. Which I did.

It was pretty dark out, so we were walking via torch this time. I could make out the white foamy bits on the waves. When there was a wave that is. The ocean was mostly calm as was the port.

We walked to the end and back. Once back we heard what sounded like drums. It was echoing over to us. Not stressful sounding drums, but rather a peaceful gentle rhythm. We spotted the person playing it. They were sitting on a picnic table seat. Undercover. I liked what he was playing. Sort of soothing.

[Guest_1055]

Oh gosh Mrs D, that bush you were sheltering under wasn't very high was it?

You sound a little more cheery perhaps? That is so very good that you had a little laugh to yourself. And yeah.. it was a mini holiday you chose to go on.

And if you had a back pack you could carry binoculars in it as well. And see if you could see any birds in any trees. And pop your lunch in your back pack too and have another cute little picnic somewhere.

You do good to do your stretches. Good discipline.

And awe Mrs D thankyou for the kindness in saying what you said about me. Super sweet of you

[Doolhof]

Dear Shell,

You are so welcome to my words of appreciation and thanks. So many people on this forum have helped and assisted me, I greatly appreciate the support and care from wonderful people such as yourslef and everyone else who reaches out to someone in this community.

I'm off for a walk this morning along the usual road as I am hoping to attend Church this morning then I have work.

During the week I will consider another place I can go walking and exploring, like you said Shell I can take drinks and lunch in a back pack. If I head out alone I let my husband know where I am going.

Stretching is so beneficial for my body. I used to do a lot more stretching and Pilates moves at home. Need to get back into the routine again.

The sun is trying to come up in a dark grey sky, we may have some much needed rain today...I will take my rain jacket with me! There are no bushes to hide under along the road I will walk this morning. It looks too windy out there for an umbrella unless I want to try to be Mary Poppins!

Yes, Shell I am feeling more cheerful, thanks. Think I just needed to let everything out on Friday!

Wishing you and all reading a day where in the evening you have things to be thankful for. Cheers all from Dools

[Elizabeth CP]

Mentioning huddling under a bush in the rain reminded me of a walk we did in the UK. Started off fine but then around lunch time it bucketed down and keep raining the rest of the day. We huddled under some massive rocks to eat our lunch. We were already soaked but at least we kept our lunch from being soaked. Several hours later we emerged from the forest soaked to the skin and walked to the nearest town to visit a castle which at least gave some shelter and allowed us to dry off a little before catching the bus home. That was an adventure!!!

[Guest_1055]

Today I walked in a couple of different areas.

I headed out to the beach and walked on the breakwater path. Walked to the end and back. Such a beautiful sunny day, with a bluey sky. The port water was glistening in the sun and gentle waves were coming in and even gently crashing into the rocks. I felt so calmed by the movement. Just so gentle.

The gates of Lighthouse hill were opened, being a Sunday. The hill branches of from the path. So I decided to walk up there as well. I turned around halfway up and looked in the direction of where I just walked on up. So very colourful and pretty. I could see a cargo ship heading back out to sea. The bottom half of it was a rustic red colour. I could see green from the shrubs growing on the side of hill road. And also from the small grassey mountain straight ahead. A sandy colour from the sand dunes and beach. That so bluey sky, with absolutely no clouds. The glistening port water that was a different shade of blue with a bit of grey. And parts of the now thin breakwater path. It just didn't look as wide from up where I was. Plenty of people walking on it too. I took a few photos of it. Wish I could show whoever is reading this. Just so beautiful.
Anyways I walked up to the top of Lighthouse Hill. Peered into the windows of the small white cottages. They are locked up. Peered over the concrete /stone wall at all the ocean below. And the end of Breakwater Path. I had an extremely good view of the cargo ship coming out as well.

I walked back down the hill and continued to walk to the end of the path. Once there I perched up against a large rock. Which felt quite comfortable for a rock. I watched for ages the waves coming in and crashing onto the rocks just on the right of me. I was up high some, and knew I wouldn't be splashed.
I walked on back.

Later on I walked through my sisters garden. And smelt such a sweet scent coming from the pink roses that grow near the little bridge. There wasn't a lot of roses blooming.
I leaned over the fence and looked at the chickens rustling around in their large home. Cute..

[Guest_1055]

Morning Elizabeth.. Love your adventure story.