Walking and 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......

[Mum52]

Hi Shell

i love the way you describe your walks . I had to laugh when you said you were tempted to swing on the swings. It reminded me of my sister and I last year when we were out walking and there was a playground with no one in it so we decided to have a swing. It was wonderful. It would have been a sight to see to older ladies in their seventies having a swing but it was fun. I say go for it if you want to. Keep enjoying your walks and the beautiful nature

Mum 52

[Shell4]

 I went walking on the breakwall. I am thankful I did.

However I almost didn't as I was not feeling motivated at all and sat in the car a little while. I think what happens with me in these situations is that emotions mostly sad ones become so very overwhelming, it is like I am engulfed in them. And it is challenging to see much else. 

 But I do like walking especially out there in the fresh open sea air. So I did. I don't remember a whole lot, but I am thankful I walked and got some physical exercise and fresh air. And I felt the healing warmth of the sunshine on my skin. 

[Shell4]

Hello mum52

I am glad you had fun and even sharing the fun with your sister on the swings.

You have inspired me now , maybe I could walk down to the rec area today and go on the swings down there.

Have a nice day today

[Shell4]

Just arrived back home from a walk down at the rec. It was about a 45 minute walk. I was hoping to go on the swing down there. But I forgot they had changed all the playground stuff. There is no longer a swing there. But I am thankful I walked down there anyway.

I am feeling tired today so I mainly walked slow around the perimeter of one of the large ovals, along the gravel road and up onto the wharf that hangs over the pond. There was a man fishing there.

I heard birds in the trees and saw large white one resting on branches. These branches are in other trees on the small island in part of the pond.

When I was walking on the gravel road I look to the right of me. At the hobby farm that borders this gravel road. It has been a while since I walked down here before there use to be chickens roaming around and pecking in the grass. I didn't see any but one rooster up the back. Then I saw a large tree that looked like a mulberry one. And it was hanging over the wire fence. I absolutely love the taste of mulberries. There were tons of them, all green. 

[Shell4]

Didn't really go for a walk yesterday. Today I have, just finished and now listening to the rain falling on top of my car. I walked out on the breakwall plus more along the coast here. About 1 hour and 45 minutes. 

I had a lot of energy at the start because I drank an iced mocha. This was about 6am. Walking along the breakwall was lovely, I really did enjoy the fresh air, looking at the water which happened to be clear near the edge. I saw 3 rowing boats go on out of the port. The people in them were rowing quicker then I was walking. Once at the end there were a few people hovering around. I looked to see near them , down in the water and on the rocks. I saw 1 seal swimming in the water and every now and then it's flipper or tail poked up out of the water. Then I saw another seal basking on a flat rock, he was quite big I thought. He was looking all around. I watched for a while, it was so very black. And so very cute. I started to head back, then I saw another seal pretty much the same size as the other one. He was on the next rock, this one was hidden from my view behind a large rock closer to me. Then when I started to head back I saw it. They were just so cute. 

I was hoping to see the sunrise but it was overcast. I arrived here about first light and when all the runners mostly are here.

I walked on past the breakwall around the coast. I forgot to say when I started to his walk.....birds, there were many bird noises of all kinds I think they were almost waking up. 

I saw a few dogs out walking too. There was a small terrier which I happened to keep staring at. I was watching closely how it was walking. It was like prancing along. Thought the prancing was due to the fact it is wearing like striped leggings on its 2 front legs, this was attached to like a jumper. It's bottom and back legs were free of clothing. It was cute.

I walked past the beach kiosk. I walked past the ocean baths which are actually closed for cleaning on a Wednesday. Then I kept following the path were the next beach was on my left. There is another kiosk/cafe here. Normally there are people sitting on the long steps drinking coffee, but there were only a couple of people today. I kept walking on past the skate park, nope no one there. Too many puddles of water. I kept walking a little more and then leaned over the rail to see the clear water and the waves gently splashing over rocks. I did some stretching at this spot and then heading back.