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]

Was told about an app called map my run. I find it quite helpful and encouraging to see where I have walked, km I have walked, the time it took on that walk. Plus a few other features. I have been using it for 3 days and do find it encouraging to see the stats of my walks. 

[Eagle Ray]

It is encouraging and interesting isn’t it Shell to be able to see those things. A few years ago I was using a fitness watch that had those kinds of features. I liked looking at the map of where I’d walked. It also had the option of looking at the altitude throughout the walk, so I could see where I was walking up and down hills and how far above sea level it was. Using an app like that can be a great way of measuring progress over time. I’m glad you’re enjoying it.

 I was mostly driving today. I did stop and walk around an historic settlement. The buildings dare to the 1860s. It’s interesting imagining the world back then and how people were living. The settlement was surrounded by yellow canola fields.

What I think was a black feral cat ran across the road in front of me today. It looked like a mini panther. I also photographed an old abandoned shopfront in a tiny town because it had great character. I enjoyed the drive and was glad I coped well with it and didn’t get overly fatigued. I seem to keep getting stronger at the moment. The same driving distance a few weeks ago would have been a bit much for me.

There was a lovely sunset tonight with pink clouds across the whole sky. I’m in a moderately sized town tonight, bigger than my home town.

[Guest_1055]

You are a bit like me Eagle Ray. I imagine what places were like back then in those historical places. It is a bit like a mini holiday in your thoughts. Think Mrs D is a bit like this also.

Glad you a getting stronger. And that you enjoyed the drive you went on. 

Sounds like a beautiful sunset too. All pink like

[Doolhof]

Hi Shell, Eagle Ray  and to all reading,

It can be very encouraging to have apps and devices that show you where you have been and what you have achieved. My local walks are always on the same roads, there aren't many here to choose from. The changes in the seasons can be very interesting as can the crop rotations the farmers use.

Shell, you might like to Google canola crop images. Some of them do look so stunningly beautiful when in full bloom. They have a very strong fragrance that unfortunately messes with my sinus as well as does the golden wattle that is blooming now.

Thanks for the advice about the eucalyptus oil, I will see if we have some. I have been using Vics as well and a sinus washout device is helping too.

You are right Shell, I do like to look at places and wonder about the original inhabitants. I sit under a huge old gum and wonder if First Nations people have sat and gathered in that area or if early explorers went that way. Unless history has been recorded there is no way of knowing.

I'm heading off for a short walk later this morning.

Happy Exploring Eagle Ray! All the best to you Shell and to all reading.

[Guest_1055]

Mrs D the canola crops do look beautiful in flower. A huge mass of yellowness. It stands out in the images I googled. I learnt a little about how bees are very attracted to this crop also. And even where it grows in Australia. The grain belt. So very interesting

Hoping you enjoyed your short walk this morning.  

[Eagle Ray]

Hi Shell and Dools,

Dools, I can understand how the canola would affect you as today I was driving down a road with huge canola crops close on each side. The fragrance was super strong. It’s the first time I’ve noticed it. Just at sunset I photographed some with the sun shining through it.

Thank you, I am enjoying exploring. This

morning I walked the 20 minutes into the town centre. I passed a small vineyard and a large chicken run. The chickens seem to get excited when I walked by. Maybe they thought I was going to feed them. I had a coffee and looked at some historic buildings. I then walked through a nice parkland with a creek running through it.

After this I drove to a nature reserve with a lake about half an hour out of town. I saw black swans and grey teal ducks in the water. I got a few photos of red-capped robins though none very close.

 I then went to a big granite hill that had a great view of surrounding farmland, including canola fields. Back at the base of the rock I photographed galahs in the last half hour of sunlight. I small plane was flying over a nearby field. They seemed to be just having fun and were going around in circles. It was after this I photographed the canola as the sun set.

 I looked at the pedometer app on my phone to see how much I walked today, and was surprised to see I’d walked 10.5km. I am really improving with so much more stamina. Back on the road tomorrow on the way to the next down, with some interesting places to pass through on the way.

 I hope you have both had a lovely day.

[Doolhof]

Hi Shell, Eagle Ray and all reading,

Shell, canola crops can look beautiful. I do struggle with the fragrance of them though, my sinus plays upa nd I have a headache for months! Seems like we are surrounded by canola crops again this year! I will just hope we don't have too much wind sending the fragrance our way! 

Eagle Ray thank you so much for sharing your adventures with us all. It is wonderful when we have the time an opportunity to actually walk in an area and not just drive through it. I can imagine the canola crop at sunset was glorious.

I had a short walk yesterday along a path leading from one town to another only 7 kilometres away. I walked half an hour, sat down and then returned to my car. There were vineyards on either side of the path. A few olive trees were in flower and I could hear the bees buzzing around gathering the nectar. 

A flock of pigeons flew above me and then had an erratic flight path for a while before they flew off. I saw some gorgeous parrots and some galahs feeding on churned up soil with cut grasses.

The sun was shining now and then from behind fluffy grey and white clouds. It was interesting to see the shapes of the clouds. 

Today I am driving to spend time with a family member so will leave early so I can go for a walk first in that region. I will take an extra jacket as this morning it is zero degrees outside! 

Safe travels Eagle Ray, all the best to you Shell and cheerio to all reading.

[Eagle Ray]

Dear Dools, Shell and All,

 I enjoyed reading about the things on your walk Dools. When you mentioned the galahs, it made me think of a group of galahs who flew in front of my car for quite a while today. It was like I was chasing them but didn’t want to, but they just kept flying in front of me instead of going to the side. I’d slowed to about 60km/h on a country road and they were flying at that speed - very fast birdies. I hope you enjoyed your walk and visit with your family member today.

When the sun was still low this morning I did a bit of photography in the town of historic buildings in early morning light. Then I drove out to a granite outcrop next to a large lake and spent the whole day exploring there. It was picturesque and I got some nice photos of the lake with reflections in it, and of the beautiful colours in the rocks which included oranges and even some pinks. It felt like a place a geologist would love. There were so many types of plants growing on the granite outcrop, including mosses, lichens and cute little succulents with flowers, some yellow and some pink. Some native pink daisies were coming out too.

After a morning exploring I ate the food I’d brought with me, then had a lovely rest in my car with the seat reclined and the window down. After that I climbed to a high point and enjoyed the view. I explored around the top of the rock which is quite a big area. I had trouble retracing my steps coming down and kept finding myself at a steep edge I couldn’t go down, but eventually I found a way. It felt like a real adventure. I saw birds of prey over fields on my way home.

[Eagle Ray]

Hi Dools, Shell and All,

Today was cold, windy and rainy. I felt tired and took my time getting going. Eventually I headed out to a nature reserve half an hour out of town. I’m not sure how I did it, but managed to drop my camera. There’s a few scratches, the most annoying one being on the LCD screen. 🙁 But the camera itself wasn’t damaged in terms of function and still works fine. 🙂

The walking track went through a grove of eucalyptus and came out into a clearing with low granite rocks and a waterhole. The water had fat tadpoles in it that looked like they were half way to being frogs. There were beautiful mosses and lichens on the rocks. I did my best not to step on these moss gardens which seem so delicate. There were quite a lot of birds. I got some photos of a red-capped robin. Showers of rain came through and I sheltered under my umbrella. Then the sun would come out for a bit again. Large birds of prey were circling very high up.

On the way home I stopped to photograph some things of interest in the late afternoon light, including a windmill and old farm machinery. I walked much less than yesterday as I felt I needed to go easy. I have a fuller day planned for tomorrow.

[Guest_1055]

I also enjoyed reading about your adventurous walk Mrs D and your latest ones as well Eagle Ray. Hoping you have a lovely time away with your relative Mrs D. 

You both observe so much when you are out walking . So many beautiful birds and trees, plants and animals. It's so nice that I can go along with you both in my imagination. Thankyou. Sorry about your camera Eagle Ray. My heart lurched a bit when I was reading about that. Think because I know you like capturing beautiful nature shots. But it's good that is is not damaged much. 

I have been walking every day still mostly around here. I did do a few hours of gardening the other day which is exercise with all that pulling of weeds and laying down mulch etc. I am going walking with my sister tomorrow at the park .

Much kindness to you both and anyone else reading