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]

Yesterday I walked on the breakwall path in between heavy episodes of rainfall.

Before then I was planning to walk with my sister on the beach. But that did not happen. As soon as we were about to step onto the sand, we heard a huge noise of thunder and lightning was in the sky. Then it pelted down with rain. I do like rain, but we both were not keen to walk on the open beach while lightening was happening. (welcome to the humid aussie summer weather) Anyway we made a dash to the picnic shelter. And chatted for a while. A stream of water was rolling down under the table. We decided to make a run for it up the hill to her car. I found myself running through larger streams of water, sloshy grass, concrete steps and the carpark with no shoes on. It definitely was not boring at all. It was quite a storm. So I guess I did a bit of exercise there with the running up to the car.

[Guest_1055]

Today I rode the exercise bike in the garage for 15 minutes. And tonight walked around the block.

[Elizabeth CP]

Yesterday I walked twice to the chemist as there was a problem with the script so had to get the GP to sort it out before picking up the script. Today I was going to walk with a friend but she couldn't come. I did housework and then had a telehealth appt for my hsb. I was a bit stressed after so didn't feel like doing much. I'm struggling with depression and fatigue so not walking as much as I should.

[Guest_1055]

I went walking out on the Breakwall Path today. It was super windy with the rain blowing on an angle. Blowing right into my face. I pulled the waterproof hood on my jacket out from my head and down to cover some of my face (if that makes any sense) I was unable to walk to the very end today because I could see ahead huge waves splashing right over the concrete wall itself and onto the path . Looked a bit dangerous. So I just looked at it for a bit. Turned around and headed back. I still liked the walk though.

[Guest_1055]

Hi Elizabeth, I have no idea what to say to you. Only that I care about you

[Guest_1055]

Walked on the breakwall again. Still unable to walk right to the end as the waves were splashing over to high and forceful

[Guest_1055]

Walked out the breakwall path again.

[Doolhof]

Hi Shelll, Elizabeth and All,

I went out for a walk just before the sunrise. The sky was almost cloudless with a slight tinge of pink and orange on the horizon.

Two kangaroos surprised me in the crop right across the road from our home. Further along I saw another kangaroo. A couple of magpies looked like they might be intent on swooping me, so I stood still, watched them fly in circles above me and talked to them as the landed in a gum tree near me.

A couple of galahs were on the branch of a dead tree, their pink feathers glowing in the early morning light. I waved to the school bust driver and wondered what children he was picking up at that time in the morning and which school they would be taken to. Our town does not have a high school, only a small regional primary school.

While out walking I tried to be observant. I tried to drown out the negative thoughts. It kind of worked!

[Guest_1055]

Went walking on the breakwall path

[Guest_1055]

Yeah you were pretty observant Mrs D... But it is challenging sometimes when other troubling thoughts speak so loud in our heads or emotions speak so loud too.

The early morning walks you go on do sound beautiful. Maybe not the dusty blowing trucks though. Maybe there can be beauty found in that.