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]

Thank you Shell 🙏🌸 It’s a scary situation but I’m just trying to take things one step at a time.

I hope maybe you can enjoy some walks again soon. It can really be helpful for things like stress or when feeling low. It’s so lovely how you notice all the details in the environment.

Take care,

ER

[Shell4]

Yes one step at a time sounds like the way to go. Not so daunting and not so heavy. Maybe it has all been worked out by now

[Shell4]

Today I went on an interesting and a bit different kind of walk. It was at the place of a relative. On the property. It started at my car. It had recently been pouring with rain so there were many puddles. Some deep ones too. I walked around this puddles then I needed to jump these trenches. The trenches were I think foundations or something to do with that for an extension of their house. I do not understand all about that. But there were several different areas for rooms. So it was still all dirt with trenches in between the rooms . Properly about 5 . They were too wide to step over. So I jumped over them into the light muddy dirt. Each and every single one all the way to the door to their house and then back several times. The reason that I am writing this is because I felt the emotion of " fun". Like a little girl in me was coming awake. I felt no awkwardness, no fear, a little silly, a little more out spoken then I normally have been. And no conscious sense of self. It was fun but also a tad unfamiliar. The feeling of the emotion" fun", I am pretty sure I have not felt that before even in childhood. Anyway the feeling of it was incredible and freeing. I shared the jumping the trenches with my grown up niece. We did it together. 

The day before that visited another different beach. After walking down the concrete steps I noticed a tall cannister which had a label saying shark attack kit. I don't know what they had in the cannister. But I thought it was a good idea as I think someone meet up recently with a shark at this beach. It was lovely to feel the sand on my feet. Some of this beach had many pepples. And more course sand. I walked over the course sand it did feel gritty. I walked in the water some too. Sniffer/ runner dog was running on this beach as am well. She loves it. Bolts along keeping an eye on us Sniffs whatever it is she smells. Such a cute dog .

[Shell4]

Still really haven't gone out for a  walked since the last time I wrote about it. Noticing the difference. Just feeling so unmotivated and overwhelmed with a lot. Part of my thoughts are saying you feel better when you do. But another part is clouding all those particular thoughts out for most of the time. Hoping soon I will get back to it.why because it really helps me

[Eagle Ray]

Hi Shell, I'm glad you were able to have that sense of fun! That is so fantastic. I think watching sniffer/runner dog would be helpful too, as dogs know how to be in the moment and have fun. I have always found visiting dog beaches when there's lots of dogs there quite inspiring for that reason.

I hope maybe you can go out again soon. Sometimes it is hard to get motivated, even when we know it makes us feel better.

I went for a walk late this afternoon in the woodland across the road. It was incredibly quiet and still. When I got to a lower point where it gets damp there was a cacophony of frogs calling. When there is more rain a creek runs through this area, but it's not running yet.

I'm noticing how the days are getting shorter here and the light is so soft this time of year.

[Shell4]

Thankyou for sharing that you walked in the woodlands ER. Helped me not feel so lonely tonight by reading what you wrote.

Hoping it is all working out with the financial issues ok. I am sorry. Life can be so challenging at times. I really hope you are ok there

And yes I did go for a wander this afternoon. Around the streets near me. I looked at people's gardens, heard two dogs barking inside their fence . One a sausage dog the other I am not sure what type of was. But it howled very cute like and seemed to be talking in a whine. It didn't seem sad. But seemed to have a lot to say. I walked through a cemetary just a little one and very old. The inscriptions were faded on the stones mostly. I read one were the person left this earth in 1880 something. Very challenging to make out what else was said. I don't want to be gloomy but I found myself feeling a little sad thinking about these people who all I know about them is the their names and only some of them as I just couldn't make out many names at all. The stones were mossy as well. 

I am glad I walked out this afternoon anyway. 

[Shell4]

Went out for a walk around the water reservoir today. It has been a few years since I walked around that track. Baby nephew went around in a baby back carrier. His mumma carried him. He loves being bounced around in that thing.

It was good to feel the fresh air and it had a new washed feel to it made by the recent rains. I dodged a few puddles here and there on the muddy ground. Glad I went out

[Shell4]

Saturday today. Not feeling like walking . But going to just get out the door and go. Still a tiny bit of sunlight at 4pm

[Shell4]

Just got back from a walk outside. It was for around 30 minutes. Time is 4:47pm. I am thankful I went on out, and the air felt refreshing on my face. I do like walking when there is a chill in the air. We walked just past the tyre place and back 

[Shell4]

About midnight on Sunday.

I went for 2 walks today. 1 around the neighbourhood and one down to the servo and back