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......

[Doolhof]

Hi Elizabeth and Shell and all reading,

It is lovely to read your stories and experiences.

Today I went to the beach. It was cold and windy yet the sea was calm with very small waves, must have been the direction of the wind controlling the waves.

I was disappointed to see a notice stating there would be sand carting trucks and equipment on the beach! Thankfully the trucks seemed slow to load up, so I could walk some distance before they were driving past. I tried really hard to accept the trucks were there and to concentrate more on the beach and the sky.

Some dogs were running in the water. One guy waved his hands in the air as if to say "What do you think you are doing?" The dog looked back as if to say " enjoying myself, come and join me!"

I wandered along the main street in that suburb as well and enjoyed looking in some shops. There was a very posh Op Shop with very high prices. It was very glamorous inside and well set up.

It was nice to get out for the day again.

Cheers to you all from Dools

[Guest_1055]

Ah that's great Mrs D, that you could get out and walk on the beach. Dogs are like that hey, they often like the simple things in life and can find enjoyment in them.

[Guest_1055]

No not stupid... Some people miss out in the frolicking in the rain. Don't know what they are missing out on. Can feel adventurous and fun. And invigorating. Even fun splashing around in gum boots. For some reason the warm shower often feels extra good after being soaked by the rain. Good on you Elizabeth

[Guest_1055]

No walk or exercise for me today

[Doolhof]

Hi Shell,

No walk or exercise for you. Are you okay today? Thinking of you.

I'm heading off for a walk a bit later, just deciding which road I will travel on.

Cheers all, hope your day is okay. Dools.

[Guest_1055]

Hope you enjoyed your walk Mrs D, where ever it was you went.

No don't think I am ok. Can feel that darkness right at my door of myself. I don't want to go there. I know I am bitter towards someone. Someone that keeps hurting me. This bitteenes does not help in regards to the darkness being there. But now thinking Jesus took this sin upon himself on the cross , so I do not have to experience it. I can be free of it. Think I need to cry out to God and then thank Him for doing this for me. Thankyou so much Mrs D for asking after me. I think it made me see more clearly or something.

[Doolhof]

Dear Shell,

Having that darkness come knocking is horrible. I hope you have been able to reach out to God and you have been able to feel His loving arms around you. I know in my horrible moments I sometimes can't feel God. Good thing my mind still believes...usually.

My prayers are that you have found some sense of peace with how you are feeling. Fighting it can make it worse. Maybe surrendering it to God helps.

I did go out for a walk today Shell, I was trying to find God while I was out there, or at least to be out in nature as much as is possible walking along a busy road!

I did try to take notice of the different colours around me, the rich brown of the dirt in the paddocks, the few blades of crop that are trying to come up, the sparse green of new grass in another paddock. The colours of the gum tree trunks in the drizzling rain, the various greys in the sky, I listened for bird song.

As people remind me Shell, it is okay to not feel okay. I just don't like feeling not okay!

Hope you have had some comfort today. Virtual hugs to you if you want them, from Dools

[Doolhof]

Hi Shell and all,

I had a walk this morning along a dirt road. At long last we have had some rain, so there were puddles of water. I thought about jumping in a couple but didn't as I was running out of time to get ready for work and the water looked very muddy.

Along the way I listened to some crows, heard some lambs in the distance and saw a few kangaroos in the paddock. I also saw a hot air balloon! As the clouds were low, I wondered how much the people on the balloon were actually able to see as I presume they had to stay low and not rise up higher for a better view.

It was lovely to go for a walk before work. I tried to look around me to be more aware of what was there.

Thinking of you Shell! Hugs to you if you want virtual ones!

Cheers all from Dools

[Guest_1055]

Well that's a bit different seeing a hot air balloon up above, or is that common in your area Mrs D?

You seemed to see and hear a lot of things. I often like hearing the bird noise of a crow or is it a raven, I am never sure if they are the same bird. A large black one, pretty much all black. Anyways they have such a faraway sounding song, ah, ah, ah, ah aaah. And the last aaah appears to be lower a note and can fade away sometimes. Beautiful.

[Doolhof]

Hello Everyone,

No walk for me today. I twisted my knee yesterday at work and could hardly walk on it. Today it is still quite sore so I will see how I get on at work.

If I was able to go anywhere for a walk today it might be in a Japanese garden. I can imagine the beautifully crafted pathways, the sculptured trees, zen like sand or tiny stones raked into calming designs, water features, ponds full of fish, bridges over gently gurgling streams of water, a walk way wandering through bamboo leading to another nature gallery of perfection.

Or maybe a walk along a rugged coastline, high up on a cliff with the wind blowing my hair in every direction, the smell of salt water in the air and the sound of waves crashing on the rocks below. Climbing down from the cliff top, I follow a narrow path way to the secluded cove below. An out crop of rocks helps to protect the beach from the mighty waves. I can wander along the minuscule beach, surrounded by cliffs echoing the sound of the ocean.

Any where special you would like to walk Shell, Elizabeth and all reading?

Cheers from Dools