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......

[Shell4]

I had a look at His Majesty's theatre. It does look very old and beautiful properly with lots of stories to tell in its history. I noticed some lion sculptures on the roof and then wondered if there was a story to why they have them. I really like the windows towards the top with what looks like little balconies coming off them. I even like the stairwells inside and the ceiling where all the seats are.

[Shell4]

I went for a walk on the breakwall today. It was breezy with a little coolness which was a nice change from the heat of the last couple of days. There was a little smog from the fires though. After the walk we sat on the seats outside the closed kiosk. Then I happen to turn around and saw a large amount of seagulls gobbling up and fighting over chips on the grass. The door on the kiosk was not open, I think they must have threw left over chips straight out of the door. 

The water was a little rough on the beach side of the breakwall. I don't have much to say about this walk but I am thankful I went and hoping to develop more of a routine like before. 

[Eagle Ray]

Your ocean walk where you were people watching and dog watching sounds so lovely. You created such a clear picture of what it was like. 

I looked up the meaning of the lion sculptures at His Majesty's Theatre and it said:

The five large lion sculptures resting on the parapet of His Majesty's Theatre in Perth symbolise regal strength, protection, and the grandeur of the Edwardian era in which it was built (1904). As part of the lavish, ornate design, these lions represent the theatre’s status as a premier venue, metaphorically watching over and guarding the building. 

I have been to a play inside the theatre when we went there on a high school excursion. We sat in the upper section which actually feels very high and steep and wouldn't be good for someone with heights. These days I don't think they would build seating quite that way. But the interior is really ornate. Actually, looking at pictures of it just now it has balconies inside that look like the one the two old guys in the Muppet Show sit on and make comments from 😂

It's nice you felt some coolness from the breeze today as a change from the heat. I'm glad you are feeling you are getting back into a routine. I have had a bad cold and so haven't walked for a few days, so I don't have anything to report from walking. But I did water my front verge at dusk and the most beautiful yellow moon was rising. It was meditative and peaceful out there. As I type this I have the window open and I can hear the ocean rolling in. It's very still outside.

Wishing you a lovely and peaceful weekend 🙏🤗

[Shell4]

Hi

it can feel nice and calm watering plants outside in the evening. Thankyou for finding and posting about the lions on top of the theatre too. May you feel better soon, I had a cold for just over 3 weeks over Christmas. Very unusual for me, I rarely get physically sick. 

[Eagle Ray]

Thank you ☺️ That would have been a bit annoying having the cold over Christmas. Like you I rarely get colds and can’t remember the last time before this one.

Still no walks to report here, but there’s been quite a bit of nature activity in my backyard. I have families of King Skinks living in my backyard and they are quite large lizards. They have a lot of character. One of the big ones was crawling up the fly screen door today and I thought I better discourage him as the fly screen is old and starting to get worn. He climbed down once I approached the door. He seemed curious, like he wanted to check out what’s inside. A small one did get in once but I managed to direct it out again. I’ve had blue wrens out there too lately along with scrub wrens and honeyeaters. I’ve also had the beautiful big monarch butterflies that are orange and black.

While it was quite warm earlier the clouds came over in the late afternoon and there was some lovely rain.

Sleep well 😴

[Shell4]

It sounds like you do have quite a bit of nature and insects, lizards and birds in your backyard. And you are still moving around watering things outside. Movement is all good. Maybe you will be able to go on a walk soon. Is it the cold that makes you feel absolutely exhausted if so that is how I was. 

That does sound adventurous having a king skink climbing up your flyscreen door. We had a blue tongue in our kitchen. And our cat would climb up on the flyscreen and she actually shredded it. We ended up changing the screen to like a pet one. It appears tougher. Those butterflies are beautiful. I am really happy for you that you appreciate creation all around you.

[Shell4]

I went walking around the block last night. It is basically out the front door, walk to the end of the street. Turn a corner. I needed to be mindful of the cars here because some just come flying down the other street off the freeway. I walk down a little then cross over. There is a service sation on the right which is open 24 hours now. I walk up a gentle hill on a road parallel to the service station main road. This gentle hill road has a line of trees like a nature strip along it. We happened to look up and there were a row of neatly perched white cockatoos on the power lines. A couple were screeching that noise they make. I quite like them. On the other side of this particular road is housing mostly. Though there is a large open park with children's play equipment. 

We walked to the corner, I often really look at this house on the corner because it is busy looking with so many different plants out the front and on the side. Almost jungle looking. There are also many cars parked on the road belonging to this house. There are clothing hanging outside on the rails sometimes. It just looks a busy home .

Around the corner we walk I look at other people gardens. One had a garden with dalhias blooming in it. Quite a few beautiful colours. Which remind me of dad he grew these flowers. Walking on going around a few more corners now and heading back home. Walking up our street we see our cat on the street. She is rolling on the street like she normally does. I bend down and pat her she then follows us to the front door. Sometimes she races us to the door and waits right there. Making it challenging to actually unlock the door.

There was a bit of a breeze walking and I am thankful that I did 

[Eagle Ray]

Hello again,

Yes, my body has felt like it had to rest to recover from the cold. But I did get out for a walk today and I'm definitely getting stronger again.

That would have been really nice seeing the row of white cockatoos on the power lines on your night walk. I like them too. They can be so loud with their screeching, can't they! I remember once watching some galahs on the power lines and they were quite deliberately turning themselves around in circles for fun. Like they were falling forwards and then going right around in a circle. It was really like watching a circus show 😂  It's interesting seeing the neighbourhood at night isn't it, seeing the different sorts of homes, imagining their lives and households, and seeing the different plants and flowers in gardens. It's nice to know you have a cat too 😺

On my walk this morning I went down to the river. I accidentally disturbed a small bird of prey. I think it might have been a falcon. I also met a friendly lady walking a golden retriever. It was cloudy and cool so very nice for walking. Many of the gum trees have creamy flowers in blossom at the moment. It was really good to feel my body moving after it has been lying low and resting for a few days.

[Shell4]

Hello again to you too

I know you said you had a cold , I hope you are alright in other ways currently. 

Oh galahs even that name is a bit circus like.

It's definitely can be nice to walk on a cloudy coolish day. Later in the day here where I am it was super hot.

True it just can feel lovely and thankful to be able to walk again after being sick for a bit. 

[Shell4]

This morning I went walking again while pushing the pram with my cute nephew sleeping in it. He does like the feeling of the rough and bumpy road. 

After I change into boots, grap my water,hat and banana I set out with the little baby. It is a property that his home is on. The ground is a mixture of some grass and large bits of gravel. And it is quite bumpy here too. I push his pram down and out the opened gate. One time this gate was closed up as the neighbours cows were coming in. I walk down a slight hill then onto the dirt road. I check him to see if he is closing his eyes, he looks around a little then he is asleep. So I pull the pram down to a laying position and pull the shade thingy over. Off we go, there are trees on both sides of this road so in sections it is beautiful and coolish under them. They are mostly Australian natives. A few cars, a motorbike and a vehicle from the post office pass us. I moved over to the side some because the road becomes dusty as they pass and for safety reasons. All good though. I keep walking on pushing the pram. I soon step onto the sealed road it feels so nice and smooth after the bumpy and rough. There a groups of cows near here. And I saw a murky looking dam . Hopefully it will rain soon and fill it with fresh water. 

I turn around and eat my banana then chuck the peel in the long grass growing beside the road. I am feeling the heat of the sun now. Soon I see my little nephews mumma she is walking her horse up to meet us. I patting him this time. I am a little scared of horses but I am slowly getting used to seeing him. We walked together a while me pushing the pram and the horse with the rider. Soon they take off faster as the horse needed a good wash down . Later we meet up with them in the paddock near the house. I watched the horse being washed with a long hose. I am really enjoying the walk and seeing my little nephew.