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......

[Eagle Ray]

Dear Shell,

 I hope you’re enjoying your walk if you are on it, or have been already. That’s interesting about the black dolphins. The ones here are bottlenose dolphins.

 I understand about feeling unmotivated. At the moment I feel like I could stay in bed all day every day, but I know I really benefit from going outside, being in the fresh air, being connected to nature and seeing different things. I hope you are seeing some lovely and interesting things today. Best wishes, ER

[Guest_1055]

Hi ER, yes me too. It does help me being out in the fresh air and moving.

I did go. I walked on the breakwall. Felt the chill of the ocean air on my face. While feeling somewhat warm in this hoodie. I smelt the ocean at times.

I went around about 5pm, so it still was a little light when I started out. The sun was setting, so parts of the sky was a mixture of orange, light pink and white. Illuminated a little in some low clouds. Beautiful.

I noticed a tippee type structure on the doggie beach. You often see them there. They look awesome actually,made from thin logs and large pieces of driftwood. I saw another a bit further on.

I heard the water in the port lapping onto the rocks. But later heard it crashing into them further on. I felt a light spray of misty water, I didn't really mind.

I walked to the end ,turned around and headed back. There were a couple of people fishing. One lone pelican in the port bopping up and down with the movement of the water. 

Looking straight ahead and in the distance some, I was facing the array of coloured lights in the city and along the port. Mostly tiny white and light yellow lights, mixed with some green and red. It is quite pretty to see

[Eagle Ray]

That sounds like a lovely walk Shell. There is something special about that time of day. I could feel the atmosphere as you described it.

[Doolhof]

Hi Shell, Eagle Ray and all reading,

I've been away from the forums for a while, draped in my own unhelpful thoughts. I have been out walking though each day, I take photos to help me recollect where I have been as dissociation seems to be happening more frequently. As long as I find my way home again all is okay!

I've enjoyed reading about your walks. I too happened to be at the beach recently and was very thrilled to see a dolphin in close to the shore seemingly chasing fish. It is wonderful to see dolphins and any kind of creatures really. The dogs on the beach can be very entertaining, most look so happy prancing along the beach, interacting with other dogs or just doing their own thing.

It was drizzling during my walk this morning. I saw a very pale rainbow, a full dome, I've not seen one complete for a long time. Some parrots were chirping in the trees and the magpies were all just watching me! Some even looked like they were sharpening their beaks on the branches. Ha. Ha. 

Thanks for sharing here ladies! Cheerio for now from Dools

[Eagle Ray]

Dear Dools,

I’m really sorry you’ve been struggling with the challenging thoughts. They come unbidden don’t they and then we have to work out what to do with them. I sometimes think that’s when the dissociation happens as thoughts and/or feelings can be overwhelming.

But nature is such a great tonic and brings us back through our senses to the here and now. I really enjoyed what you described from the dolphin to the dogs on the beach to the pale rainbow and the parrots and magpies. Seeing dogs on the beach is the best thing because they are so in the moment, happy and enjoying themselves. It’s healing to watch them.

I’m sitting in a forest today. Various small birds are chirping including fantails, robins and honeyeaters. A raven is cawing away nearby. I can a hear a car some distance away on the highway and a cow just mooed. The gentle breeze is rustling the leaves in the canopy. It’s a good place to be.

[Guest_1055]

Good to see you Mrs D, thankyou for sharing about your morning walk. Rainbows can be so colourful. 

Being draped in unhelpful thoughts sounds like you just can't experience any light. Hoping you feel better today. I am trying to focus on whatever is lovely, whatever is pure and beautiful think upon these things. Even has I write that, my thoughts are not that at the moment.

It is good you noticed a rainbow, remembering the dogs and what they can get up to, actually it's great you went to the beach, as I know you like going there.  

[Guest_1055]

Take it easy Eagle Ray. So good you can find refuge and rest in the forest. I was talking to my sister about you ( hope that is ok) please tell me if it isn't. I was sharing with her about how you experience the forest and wild life. I think she was saying for her that is God. She can feel and sense God in amongst it.  For her, that is Him. He is in the breezes that I like feeling on my face too. The refreshing breezes that often make me feel alive. Thankyou for sharing it all 

[Guest_1055]

Went for a walk this evening along the footpath that borders the main road here. The traffic was super busy. I did my best at listening out for the chirping noises in the trees from the birds. I did hear a lot over all those traffic noises. The only one I recognise is I think it's called a blue bird 🐦. It had a sing songy noise . Maybe not blue bird, I will check it out. Whatever it was it was such a pretty noise. 

[Guest_1055]

Bell birds that is what I heard in the trees while out walking this evening. Pretty sounding bell birds

[Doolhof]

Hi Shell, Eagle Ray and to all reading,

I'd just like to pint out to anyone reading this thread, if you would like to share your walks or any exercing you do, you are welcome to do so here. 

I recently saw 5 easy exercises to do on Facebook and try to incorporate them into my day, they seem to use many muscle groups which is great.

Shell, your comment about trying to hear the birds over the traffic is also tied up with your statement about focusing on all that is lovely, pure and beautiful. Our minds can be like traffic noise and mask what is there for our pleasure.

Yesterday I had a short walk in a park, there was a dried up pond with a gum tree growing in the middle of it and large reeds dominating the space where there is occasionally some water. The park is watered and was beautifully green. A line of smaller gum trees looked elegant. In the back ground were some autumn toned fruit trees or almonds maybe.

I might go for a drive and find a peaceful place to sit in nature today, away from man made noises.

Off for a walk once the sun gets up!