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 Eagle Ray, Shell and all,

Walking around in towns and cities can be interesting with all the different sights, sounds and smells. You wander around a corner and can see something most unexpected. I like to look in people's gardens to see what they have growing there If a rose is hanging over the fence, I sometimes have a smell of the flower.

Recently I had a walk to a gorge that I found on that day to be overwhelmingly gloomy with a dark presence. Looking back now, in reality it was a place of stark beauty. Maybe my mood that day and the overcast conditions did not help.

Following the signposted trail, I walked through paddocks and don a gorge. There was a little creek, stones in the creek made it easy to walk to the other side. Due to the terrain, the trail went from one side of the creek to the other and back again. One park of the gully had a very steep stony cliff/hillside. There were few trees in the area.

There were some very prickly reed/grass type plants with prickly bits on them, next time I am there I will wear jeans and not track suit pants for greater protection!

The creek bed has stones and boulders of various sizes. There were some larger pools, when the water was not ruffled by the wind, I could see some algae swaying in the water to the current. I imagines cooling off in that pool of water in the summer and it reminded me of creeks we used to play in as children.

The wind came up that day and I tried to sit behind a larger rock and part of the cliff only the wind was whipping around in all directions it seemed. 

I will visit this place again on a day when the sun is shining. I am sure the colours in the cliff faces and the water will add more life to the area. 

Later on today I am joining my sister for a walk in a national park. I'm trying to encourage myself to do some stretches for my neck, shoulders and back. I used to do them 2 times a day but stopped! Time to start again!

Wishing you all a good day, if you manage to sit outside in the sun, walk a few steps or walk for an hour, I hope you feel refreshed. Regards to you all from Dools.

[Eagle Ray]

Hi Dools, Shell and All,

I loved reading your description of the gorge Dools. It’s amazing how places can feel so different at different times. I remember visiting a place that I found gloomy as a child. It was a nature reserve that felt like it had a kind of heavy, almost haunted, atmosphere at the time. But later as an adult I lived near it and began to visit it often. I came to really like it. I would ride my bike on the cycle path that went through the dunes and bushland of the reserve, and photograph birds and the sunrise and sunset by the ocean which the reserve was next to.

Today I walked in the bushland across from where I live. The air was chilly and it was quite still. Intermittently the sun came out and I’d find a spot where it was getting through the trees and soak up the warmth. Frogs were croaking away at the bottom of the hill again in the swampy area. A few wrens were darting about. A kookaburra flew from a tree as I was heading back home. I found two wood ducks feeding on the grass in the group of units I live in. I was glad to get my walk in mid afternoon just before the temperature dropped further.

Thank you kindly for your good wishes Dools and may you and everyone else have a lovely day tomorrow.

[Doolhof]

Hi Eagle Ray, Shell and hello to all reading,

Yesterday I had a lovely walk with my sister in a National Park, we meandered through a pine forest and then along a trail with a narrow creek. We stopped at a pool of water, in the distance we saw some kangaroos.

In one place we saw a blue wren and a couple of ducks. There didn't seem to be a lot of birds around, at least they weren't making any noise. 

The sky was amazing with wispy and whimsical looking clouds. The sun was shining, the breeze was cool and it was a peaceful place to go walking.

Wishing all reading moments of peace and calmness today.

[Doolhof]

Good morning to all reading,

I'd like to welcome anyone to share their walks, exercise tips or even their struggles to exercise here. 

This morning I had a walk just before sunrise. The sky was a pretty pink and purple colour then changed to orange, to yellow and grey.  

I saw some kangaroos in the distance, in the bright green crop. There was a gentle cool breeze which chilled my face on the walk back. It had been rewarding heading out at sunrise.

[Doolhof]

Hi Everyone,

The mornings have been quite cool here. We have had some amazing frosts. Yesterday the landscape looked white as though we had snow and not just frost. 

I had a walk along what I call the farmer's track. I was a little surprised to suddenly have a dog run past me, as I looked behind me I saw a car following. The driver was following his dog along! They went to the T junction at the end of the track, turned around and returned.

Before the dog and car arrived I saw a dozen kangaroos which was lovely. I could hear the lambs and sheep calling out to each other, I watched as some lambs in the distance were running around, looking like they were having a great time.

There were a few magpies and some bright green parrots flew past me at a low height. The air was crisp and as the sun rose, it was lovely to feel its warmth against my face.

I saw 3 hot air balloons as well and wandered how the frosty landscape looked from a height.

[Eagle Ray]

Hi Dools,

That walk sounds so beautiful. The kangaroos, the lambs and sheep, parrots, magpies and hot air balloons, and beautiful rising sun. I could just picture it all.

Yesterday I went for a lovely walk in woodland across from where I live. It was the middle of the day and actually warm, the first time I haven’t needed a jumper in a while. It was very quiet and still in the forest. I saw some wrens active in a few places. As I was heading home I saw a common bronzewing pigeon in a tree. It was calling to another one. They were talking back and forth with their low, repetitive call. I could see how it bobbed its head down each time it called. Their sound is quite resonant and kind of comforting. I got some photos of the one in the tree. It felt like a spring day even though it’s mid winter. It was lovely.

[Guest_1055]

Indeed both of your walking adventures sound beautiful Mrs D and Eagle Ray. 

 I went back to ro gym yesterday and on the weekend. I haven't felt that " runners high" for years. I don't run, but rather I went on this cross trainer. I find my heart rate goes up somewhat on one of those things. Its hard to explain. Of I go at a slower pace then work my way up ,stay there for a while then slow the pace. Physically I did feel so much better after. I also lifted weights, assisted ones. Which sort of run on a pulley. I was lifting 5kg. I want to work my way up there as well. Currently not strong enough. I know it's good for our bones etc

Other days I have been walking mostly around here.

[Eagle Ray]

That high from the gym is great isn’t it, Shell. It can be quite transformative. I’ve been a gym member in the past and got so much from it. And, yes, it’s meant to be great for bone density. The cardio workout is so good too. I injured a ligament in my right arm about 3 and a half years ago when moving house which seems to be a permanent issue. It’s really aggravated just by lifting a heavy shopping bag, so I’m not sure if I’ll be able to return to weights at the gym. But maybe with some professional help/advice I could so as not to re-injure my arm.

 I’m really glad you got that high from the gym. It’s sounds like you are enjoying it and getting benefit. An interesting thing I found when going to the gym was that being on the treadmill kind of really empowered my legs. So when I next walked in a hilly bushland area the training at the gym just made my legs go and go, like they had extra strength and energy. You might find yourself feeling extra powerful when going for a walk too!

[Eagle Ray]

Hi Shell, Dools and All,

Had lovely walk this morning in the town I was staying in. A mist sat over the town and the river valley intermingling with smoke from people’s wood fires. It was crisp with the sun partly shrouded by the mist. I walked past an op shop and saw a painting I liked that was $15. I decided to buy it. It’s of the country close to where my Dad grew up. I chatted with the lovely couple running the shop.

 I enjoyed being in this town. It’s not one generally on a tourist route. It’s farming country with some residents also working at a nearby mine. Country music was playing at the cafe I had a morning coffee at. I enjoyed the friendly, community feel of the place.

As I drove out from there the rolling hills were so picturesque with the sheep and lambs backlit by the sun. Thoroughly enjoyed the drive this morning. I’m tired now and caffeinating again at another cafe before continuing on to tonight’s destination. It will be through drier country. I love all the different landscapes.

[Doolhof]

Hi Shell, Eagle Ray and All,

My goodness, I haven't been to a gym for decades! Congratulations to you Shell, hope you have more sessions there and you feel energised and enthusiastic about being there. Your adventures sound wonderful too Eagle Ray, thanks for sharing your experiences with us all. Op shops can be great can't they! 

Yesterday I went for a walk just after dawn. I had not been keeping an eye on the time. Looking through the kitchen window the sky was grey and uninviting, out the front looking northeast, the sky was a wash with a lovely sunrise. By the time I was ready to go walking the sky had lost a lot of the predawn colour.

It was nice to go walking all the same. There was some colour left. I scared a dozen ducks on a dam and they flew off quacking away as they went. Magpies were chirping and in the distance in a paddock with a slight rise, I saw a kangaroo's head and ears peeking up. 

On the way home it started to rain. I was thankful for my woollen jumper under my not so waterproof anymore jacket! I need to get a different jacket!