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]

Today was spent in a city hospital while my husband had surgery. I had to be there because of his condition. He has difficulty speaking clearly when tired or unwell and can't see the forms which needed signing to give permission for surgery. I needed a break after all the preparation was done and needed to get lunch. I decided to walk to the nearest park to walk around and eat lunch. I know I'm supposed to only walk within 5km of home but I thought eating in the park was safer than eating in the hospital as I'm outside away from others while my mask is off.

I walked past some fountains and one with rocks with stone seals & fish on it. Daffodils & jonquils were in bloom. I really liked one with a very frilly full trumpet. I enjoyed noticing the different types. I walked back past the cathedral with pools & fountains outside. It made a nice break from sitting for hours in the hospital.

[Guest_1055]

Hi dear Elizabeth, what surgery did your hubby go in for? You may have said, I cannot remember though. Maybe he is out now. How is he?

That walk you went for in the park near the hospital sounded delightful. And restful for you. Nice to be in the fresh air. I am with you walking and eating your lunch outside amongst such a park sounds much better.

Daffodils and jonquils are cute looking with there trumpet like flower. It is the jonquils that have a strong scent I think. My sister has loads of these growing under trees.. She did give me some bulbs once.

Hope your hubby is doing ok. And you too Elizabeth. You do sound a bit better then you were the other day.

[Guest_1055]

Today I had experienced victory.

I went walking down at the rec area. In the playground there is a flying fox thing. I have always wanted to get on it and zoom down that cable thing. But felt scared to. That is what I have been like a lot, even when I was a little girl. Too fearful to try having a go at anything much. I did desire to very much, because activities looked fun and adventurous to me. Fear held me back do much.

Well feeling fear did not hold me back today. I still felt it but got on the flying fox anyway. I did have someone with me, encouraging me all the way. They ran beside me. I did find it fun zooming along. Happy tears poured out of my eyes when I was on the ground again.

I walked on the jetty again.

And walked past the hobby farm and peered into it. I saw the sheep, I noticed a few more chickens were out and pecking around in the dry water hole thing. All big white ones and 1 big browny coloured one.

I also noticed a rabbit hopping quick like across the grass. May have been vegetables it was hopping away from. I am not quite sure. It was too far away to see clearly what the plants were.

[Guest_1055]

Exercised on this plastic step thing we have. Then cycled around the block. Then lifted 5kg weights.

[Elizabeth CP]

Thanks Shell,

I'm glad you had someone to encourage you as you tried the flying fox. It sounds like you really enjoyed it and hopefully it gives you more confidence to try other things you want to do. Personally I don't do slides or flying foxes etc because I hate the feeling of falling/sliding out of control. I fell down a cliff when I was 18 so that feeling of falling is not fun for me but I'm really glad you had fun on the flying fox.

The operation for my husband was was to undo surgery to his face. The original surgery was done years ago but it suddenly failed and the silicon thread poked through the skin creating a nasty wound. The surgery was successful but he is still under the weather due to the sedation. I'm feeling exhausted physically & emotionally because it has been intense attending all the appointments & hospital visits. I pushed through but now feel like collapsing

[Doolhof]

Hi Shelley,

Thanks for sharing your experience on the flying fox. Maybe you will try that again sometime!

There is a playground in a town near us, my sister and I had a great time playing on the equipment. We both laughed like crazy while on the flying fox.

There is a larger playground for all ages about an hour's drive from us. I've not been there for a while. They have some great stuff there as well.

Hi Elizabeth,

Wishing your husband a speedy recovery and all the best to you as well. Do you have an opportunity to take it easy for a little while?

I don't usually like rides or activities that cause too much change in direction as I have terrible motion sickness. Even a swing makes me feel ill.

[Doolhof]

Hi to Everyone,

Yesterday I went for a drive and then a walk along a river. I am very fortunate to be in a state without lockdowns and travel restrictions.

I found a pathway that took me parallel to the river. In places I could not see the river due to huge gum trees, other bushes, matted willows and tall reeds. In one place there were little channels of water where I heard lots of frogs.

There were many birds to listen to and look for as well including blue wrens, ibis, pelicans, kookaburras, different parrots, screeching corellas, ducks and a very special sighting was of 2 swans with baby cygnets.

The walk helped to cheer my soul. The sun came out and it was a glorious time to be going for a walk.

[The_Bro]

Hi there Shelll

I happened across your post today and hope you don't mind me dropping you a note.

This is because I was impressed by your statement:

"I felt encouraged as I jogged up the train station steps. Reason being, it showed me that I am becoming fitter. Which is a goal of mine".

Good on you and congratulations for noticing that you are becoming fitter! I firmly believe that as human beings, regardless of whatever situation we might be in, we have a built in desire to be the best we can be. That includes every aspect of our being - physical, emotional and spiritual.

Noticing an improvement when you exercise is the best barometer to encourage you to keep it up. Exercise is a proven, effective way to make us all feel better (endorphins and all that stuff). My friend is a Doctor and gets disappointed when patients who would clearly benefit from exercise find it so hard to do anything for their body.

So keep it up and congratulations again!

As you improve, I'd love to share your fitness journey with you!

All the best, The Bro

[Doolhof]

Hi The Bro, Shelley and All,

It is encouraging to read people's stories here.

I was planning a walk on Monday to a waterfall in our area I have never been to before. It ended up being one of those days that became a bit muddled due to different events happening.

I did some stretches at home instead.

Tomorrow morning I will go for an early walk, it is always interesting to see what the morning sky will look like.

Cheers to all from Dools

[Guest_1055]

Hi Elizabeth,

Yes it seemed to be easier for me to actually get on the flying fox while someone was super close and reassuring me. Way cool.

Gosh falling down a cliff.. Oh Elizabeth that would have been scary. Were you out hiking?

It has been a bit since you wrote your last post.. so maybe you are not so exhausted now. Maybe you had a beautiful warm soak in your bath. I really wish I could do that.. but we don't have a bathtub.Definitely can relate to motional exhaustion.

Is it good your hubby is ok after the surgery. I cannot imagine at all silicon thread coming out of a person's face. It sounds unusual. Maybe it was a filler of some kind?

Anyway Elizabeth I do hope you had the opportunity to give yourself a bit of rest.