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]

Hello

So very glad I rode around the block here near my place. I rode around on my bike.

I noticed a small line of neatly placed lilly pilly trees with their red fruit on them. There was fallen fruit on the road.

As I rode further on I heard someone playing the drums. It was waffling out of there garage. No more like thundering out. It sounded pretty good.

I passed someone pushing a pram and with a toddler walking beside them.

The fresh air felt so so good, and I am pretty sure I rode quicker then yesterday.

Definitely felt invigorated even though I was puffed out

[Guest_1055]

I went for a beautiful walk with my sister this afternoon. It was through that historical town that we walked through last time.

We walked partly down the main street, I did not notice a lot of what was around me, because we were chatting. Though I did notice the old timber bridge, the bridge which clunks when you drive over it. It is hard not to miss that, as this is where we stopped to cross over the road. The bridge is on the left.

We turned up another street, past the old trading post store. I think that is closed now. I have been in it before though. It has a well inside it. And it was full of so much stuff, every where you looked were things for sale. Think cluttered garage sale/antique store /handmade craft store. Anyway we just walked past it.

My sister asked me what street we should walk down. Sometimes I am not keen to make decisions, but I made one. We talked more, yet we somehow noticed the super old cinema. Which is not open either and appeared it was on stages of renovation.

We found ourselves back on the main street, and walked more up that again. We looked into 2 huge bags outside a building. We could smell the contents of one of the bags. Inside this building which was a restaurant they cook up wood fire pizzas. Inside these bags was wood, they sort of smelt like a forest or bushland.

Anyway we walked a little further on, then crossed over the road again near the park. And walked all the way back to our cars.

I really enjoyed this walk.

[Elizabeth CP]

I'm glad you enjoyed your walk although I admit to some jealousy of your freedom to walk with your sister in a nice place. I wish I could do the same but I an happy for you. My sister lives overseas & her planned visit this year was cancelled due to Covid. I did a short walk up the steps with my husband. I get really tired & short of breath wearing a mask particularly uphill. Wearing it shopping etc is fine as you aren't trying to walk fast for exercise.

I wonder if there are other readers from Victoria who could share their experiences exercising with a mask.

[Guest_5432]

Hi Shelll

Thanks for thinking of me yet your thoughts are the furthest from the truth. Nothing wrong with your thread at all. Never think I wasn't welcomed either. Had issues to deal with that I don't disclose on a public domain.

Severe lockdown restrictions started to affect me as there wasn't any where to go but the absolute allowed essentials the reasons to get out. Unable to drive away from hotspots ..

Haven't done any walkies the yet did so much hard physical work both indoors & in the shed - a massive cleanup of shifting, pushing, lifting heavy things from A to B. Disposed lots of unnecessary accumulation of items straight into the wheelie bins. Swept shed, dusted got out power tools did headges all with my mask + safety gear on. So much hard physical work was done that my muscles ached so badly .

With all that physical activity that was as good as any exercise. Once on a roll,- it was hard to stop but had to remember I'm no longer a young spring chick so needed to stop before I fall into a big emotional heap. Quiet happy with I've done over the recent weeks.

Elizabeth you may be able to walk in certain areas in Victoria yet not every one of us can do that particularly those with incompromised immuno systems. So I'm not taking the chance to go walkies anywhere. This covid is so contagious that can be caught by droplets in the air. So when I'm outside I cover every part of my body including my face with all the right medical gear that's available.

Not a pleasant time for any of us in Victoria or anywhere in Australia yet it's Our Outlook of how look at the serious situation & Know Our Place

Thanks girls.

Take care until next time.

Keep up with your good efforts:)

Regards

[Guest_1055]

Thankyou for your reassurance there. I appreciate it.

Sounds like you are really struggling with the lockdowns and such. When this all started I had a bit of fear, so I decided to not watch any of news at all. As that was were the fear was coming from. The media sort of portrayed it. And promoted panic. So yeah. It was personally best for me to stay away from media . Do you think you are maybe like that? Just a bit sensitive to what is happening, like in your emotions?

And wow you certainly did a lot of physical work. There was a lot of moving of muscle groups and such. I agree you did lots of physical exercise. Awesome.

Do you ever soak in a warm bath with Epsom salts? That is supposed to be good for aching muscles. Maybe put in some pure essential oil. Sounds heavenly to me. I actually don't have a bath here. But would be soaking in one if I did.

Anyway thanks for popping in and letting us know whats happening a bit with you and saying hi.

Shell

[Guest_1055]

Hi dear Elizabeth

[Elizabeth CP]

Hi shell & Guest, I'm sorry you are unable to find anywhere safe to walk but glad you are still trying to exercise & clear up at home. Hope you take time to appreciate your hard work. I have been doing an online gym class for carers . Not ideal but better than nothing. Unfortunately the person running it is stopping so I may look at other options. At least at home I can exercise without my mask which is better. My husband's physio has provided him some cardio exercises to do at home when he can't get out to walk. He is at high risk if he catches the virus but can't wear a mask (We have GP certificate to give him an exemption. We live in one of the areas at lower risk & have several lots of decent parkland nearby. We do our longer bushwalk midweek & I look for routes that we haven't done before or at least for years. This means they are not popular well known walks so easier to keep away from others. I imagine you are in an area that it is impossible to keep away from others. We avoid walks on weekends when more people are out. We have to be extra careful with my husband as he can't see so it is harder to move out of the way of people if required. My daughter lives near one of the hot spots. She owns a clinic & my husband & I normally get treatment from her & her husband. We really need that treatment but I'm not prepared to take the risk of going there even though we are legally allowed & I know my daughter & her husband are careful of infection control there is still at risk of coming in contact of an infected person at work or at the shops. Sorry I've gone off topic but I just wanted to acknowledge that your choice of not walking outside is a very valid one in today's situation.

Yesterday we went to a nearby mountain & walked close to the ridge with lovely views. We stopped near a lookout point where a few people also stopped. Everyone was very considerate standing back to give everyone a chance to appreciate the best view in turn without getting close. it was nice being around people who really looked after each other in contrast to some of the people we hear about on the media.

On the way back we detoured via some beautiful gardens. At one point there was a lovely scent from the plants Hellebore were in bloom in flower beds * some red rhododendrons. The parks I enjoy going to with lovely gardens are closed due to the pandemic so it was nice to enjoy these gardens.

Yesterday

[Guest_1055]

Hello,

Today I went for a walk around a lake. I have not walked around there before. I was glad I did and I got some fresh air and sunshine. I was really physically tired though, I could feel it in my body.

I smelt the seaweed that had washed up and heard a soft swish of the gentle waves.

We walked out on several wharfs, one at the end was floating, so it was a bit wobbly. I didn't mind it. There were no boats moored on the wharf, but there were plenty out away. So many masts were sticking up, quite impossible to count.

We walked a bit on a path infront of houses as well

[Guest_1055]

My son wanted me to go walking with him tonight. It was about 11:30pm. Anyway we went for a 30 minute walk in the crisp icy air. I am glad I did.

[Guest_5432]

Good on you Shell & son going for a walk in fresh crisp air. I wish I was there to walk alongside with you!

Kinds regards

the ole chook 🙂 🙂