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 Elizabeth,

Yer, it is not a good idea to step on snakes at all! It is a good thing this one was not angry at me for jumping on it!

When out walking this morning, I was trying to be more observant as to where I was stepping and what was around me.

I grew up in tiger snake country. One darn snake lived in the wood heap!

One morning while walking to school, we saw a huge tiger snake sleeping on the front verandah of the local shop, with the shop keeper just standing there wondering how he was going to remove the snake to open the shop.

Another time I was walking down to a beach and almost trod on a huge brown snake sunning itself on the narrow track!

And who said that walking was good for you! Ha. Ha. They must have meant walking where there are no poisonous snakes.

From Dools

[Starwolf]

Thanks Shelley for this much useful thread. It seems well loved (well trodden ?) and so it should. Walking is terrific therapy. I am an habitual daily walker and feel frustrated by too many consecutive rainy days.

I find it sad that many of us do not pay close attention to whatever we come across while commuting from one place to the other. We are far too (pre) occupied with what is within us. I'm always surprised when people have no idea what I'm on about if I mention an oddly shaped tree or the rusty remnants of old fencing at the roadside.. They go past those almost everyday and have been doing so for years...but they never saw them.

I find that really being into a walk, with all senses engaged takes us out of ourselves for a while. A  welcome break ! Walking helps focus on the present, not on thoughts of a gone forever past or a future that may never happen. It put things back into the right perspective, the here and now.

I live among dense bushland and do a lot of tracking training with dogs. No such thing as a flat space, dense undergrowth, gullies and creeks, heaps of wildlife. One can't afford not to focus on what is around, overhead...or underfoot. When not working, just walking, the dogs use this time as we humans read the paper. Who passed here, grubbed for roots there, marked a territory along the ridge ? Who lost feathers or got killed overnight ? Who dunnit etc...

Being interested in conservation and inter species communication, I can spend long minutes, observing an ants nest or striking a "conversation" with a wallaby or goanna. The old brain and its thought overload becomes silent. I still exist but I don't know it. I just become part of it all. Peace.

[Guest_1055]

Hello Dools

You sound like such a colourful person. I loved reading your posts about your adventures that you have encountered whilst out walking. Even though I have not physically managed to walk much these last couple of days, I have now just imagined myself walking where you walked. And it made me feel a bit happier. Almost like I could walk in my mind, thus still getting some sort of benefit. It has taken my thoughts and emotions off other things, like a mini holiday. So thankyou very much for sharing with us all. Way good.....

Much love

Shelley xx

[Guest_1055]

Hello Starwolf

Yes I agree with you, I do find walking a sort of therapy. I am only just starting to learn this though. I love the sound of your bushland and walking all through it. I bit more adventure, that is what I see. I also watch ants, these ants I kept looking at were walking with such purpose. You hardly ever see them still. Always busy.  Anyway I was having a picnic on my driveway. There is a long garden that borders the whole length. There is large green ants living in that garden. A couple were coming up close to carry away the crumbs that were from my sandwich.  I just stayed focused on them, even pulling off bigger pieces of bread to see how much they could actually carry. They were carrying huge amounts. Bigger then there own size. Fascinating...... and a good distraction from our struggles within.

When walking using all your senses is good, like smelling the scent of roses, noticing rusty fencing, seeing trails of ants, hearing the sound of water, noticing the way the sun is, feeling the coolness of the breeze, or even feeling raindrops on your face. Our surroundings are full of interesting stuff.

Anyway you must be pretty physically fit.. Take care and thanks for taking us on a walk in our minds through your bushland..

Shell xx

[Doolhof]

Hi Shelley,

For one reason or another, I haven't been for a walk yet today. Maybe when I get off the computer I will go for a walk. It is a much cooler day here in our part of S.A. today, so no excuse for not walking really!

Right now I will take you on a virtual walk of a trail my Dad has constructed on his nephew's farm.

Once you leave the beach, follow the path along the old bullock track. Keep your eye on the ocean now and then to spot any dolphins which may be swimming past. If you are luck you may see a seal on the rocks as well.

Look out for the sign post near the Shea oak trees, the track is only narrow, so don't miss it. As you emerge from under the canopy of the Shea oaks, look up into the larger trees and see if you can spot any of the red tailed black cockatoos, they like to feed on the nuts in these trees.

As you follow the trail that is now meandering along the trickling creek, you will notice tracks along the valley and heading up the hills. These are made by the wallabies. occasionally you will see kangaroos further up the track.

Watch out for the prickly acacia bushes, they really do sting if you brush against them! They are great for the birds though, as they form great protection against the feral cats!

Stop for a while at the little waterfall and imagine what it must be like to see this flowing in the winter or even after a heavy summer's rain. Sit for a while on the fallen tree and watch for the dragonflies. See how their leaves glisten in the sunlight. Listen tot he songs of the different birds.

You may catch a glimpse of a robin red breast or a blue wren if you are still enough. Further up the track be sure to look for the sign showing you where to find the eagle's nests in the top of the gum trees. They are huge! If you find golf balls along the way, the crows collect them from the nearby golf course and drop them here for some reason.

The horizontal tree you are now climbing over was there when I was a child, we used to marvel at how the branches could still grow towards the heavens when the trunk was flat against the ground.

By now you may have reached the shallow stagnant pond, filled with green wispy looking slimy growth, imagine how silky and soft that slime must be. This is the area where you might see the kangaroos.

Once you encounter the dirt road, the trail is finished. Return back down the trail. You have a totally different view now of everything you have just seen. Dools

[Guest_1055]

That was beautiful Dools

I could hear all the gentle songs of different birds, and I even did see a glistening dolphin sort of gliding in an arch in the cool ocean. I was mindful of the prickly bush as I walked by it. I even saw a bushy looking cat poking out from behind that bush. Yes the golf balls look a bit odd there.

I have just now scrolled back up to read the "Virtual Walk" again by the talented author/ writer that is you.... Dools

Gosh I have only just read the first paragraph again, and I have already been transported to sand that has little hollows, where previous feet have trod. I can smell the ocean air and feel a soft breeze. I can see leaves dotting the ground on the track, and I have now turned around to see more dolphins and yes there is some seals, a group of them hovering together on a large rock. With waves crashing into the side of the brown rock. The seals are not bothered at all by the sprays of water vapour. I actually have held my binoculars up to my eyes now, so I can see them quite clearly. 

It is wonderful even the first paragraph of the "Virtual Walk", so much that I am going to hang out here for a while just looking out at the dolphins and seals......

Thankyou Dools for taking us along the " Virtual Walk"

With much love

Shell xx

[Starwolf]

Hi Shelley,

Thanks for sharing your ant life experience. Aren't they just fascinating ? And yes, just watching all this activity could give one a headache ! Such purpose to them... I also admire their ability to cooperate. If the load is too heavy, they'll team up although it may take a whole bunch of them to carry it to safety. Distracting green ones with food was a wise move. They can be a tetchy lot ! Good to know you deflected their wrath.

Animal group consciousness never ceases to amaze me. I love watching flights of birds suddenly change the geometry of their formation and its order without missing a beat. Disturbed brumbies taking off at speed, all in the same exact direction at the same time. Although in large numbers and in a panic, there's  never a collision. Walking through a dense cloud of tiny midges...such a seemingly chaotic pattern of ultra rapid flight in every direction but they never touch each other. They instantly part around you as you walk, like a living curtain. Try that one in a human crowd on the move !

So much natural wisdom, wonder and beauty is about, but our self-imposed blinkers and blindfolds makes us oblivious. Even in populated area, close observation of people (both unguarded and "on display", traffic etc...can give great insight into human behavior generally and also into our own.

As for being fit, sometimes I feel more exhausted than athletic. Following keen and young tracking dogs (whose only intent is to reach their goal as fast as possible) over rough terrain can make you painfully aware of your shortcomings. Especially when they reach the top of a hill at full speed then turn around with that "C'mon woman, what are you dawdling for" look...Aaaargh ! It does make one feel a tad inadequate.

And yes, you're right Shelley, it is possible to go walking or doing anything else in mind only. All it requires is a strong imagination and the ability to engage all senses in the process. You obviously have this privilege. Enjoy its blessing. It is a terrific asset.

Happy trails !

[Starwolf]

Thank you for taking us along this path from the seaside. I thoroughly enjoyed the walk. I sometimes miss the ocean, the coastal breeze and distinctive landscape. Regularly, I feel the need for an iodine fix, the urge to drive over the range to satisfy it.

So thank you for this deep breath of oceanic air.

[Elizabeth CP]

Well my imagination has currently gone walkabout. I will read the last few posts again later to see if that helps me relax. I did a short walk this afternoon with my husband. It was too sunny to be very energetic. We haven't walked together for ages. Certainly not since his last couple of hospital admissions. I have just rang a friend & arranged to visit next weekend. She lives near the beach so we can go for walks and my husband gets on with her husband so  it gives me a break. 

[blondguy]

Hi Elizabeth and hey Shell for 'Walking Shoes'..its a great help in my recovery

Nice1 on your walk with your husband...You always keep trying...The more I read on 'Walking Shoes' the more I heal.

Being a short walk or a long one is really not relevant..Its the strength to go for a walk in the first first place

Its the Quality...not Quantity...You guys are wonderful...I have learned (again) again not to 'fight' against my agoraphobia but will do only what I can do 🙂 Thankyou

I hope your hubby is doing okay Elizabeth

Kind Thoughts

Paul