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_5432]

Hi Shellley Shelll

Nice to read you've been walking despite having a foggy and heavy feeling head.

There's such a thing called "brain fog" that throws your whole system out of whack. Depends on the individual it takes it's own time to get over it. Great you're able to walk though feeling lousy.

The last time we spoke I haven't done any form of exercise. Grappling with many issues beyond my own control am taking each moment, day at a time.

All I did yesterday was to see if I could still touch my toes. Felt great to know that's still okay in that department. I used to be very flexible in younger years. I was so happy touching my toes without bending my knees.

Suppose it's just laziness on my part as well when the anxiety/depression kicks in there's a huge extra effort to exercise. Better Days Ahead

Take care Shellley Shelll 🙂

[Guest_5432]

Thanking of you Shelll. I do hope you're coping the best you can. At times we all need of me time to get our thoughts together. Take care - Chook

[Guest_1055]

Morning Chook,

That is good you can still touch your toes. I actually tried it mmm maybe yesterday after I read your post. I managed to reach just to the end of my legs.

Good idea to take each day as it comes Chook. Like don't worry or be anxious about tomorrow and don't look back as we can feel depressed. Just live for today. I need to live like this as well. As I am already looking back and seeing how I stuffed up yesterday then this makes me feel discouraged and like a failure. I guess yesterday has gone and today is a new day.

Anyway I found it encouraging what you said there about living moment by moment.

And definitely it is so challenging to find motivation to exercise when we are faced with that darkness of depression. Can't speak for anxiety though, as I don't come face to face with it a lot. But can imagine it tries to consume all our thoughts. So perhaps makes it more challenging to focus on much else such as exercise. Could be laziness mixed up in all that... Guessing that one is the "I cannot be bothered" episodes I find myself in.

I cannot offer you advice or anything Chook, as I don't have any.

The foggy and heavy head feeling for me is from eating junk food, not getting quality sleep etc.

May you have a good day today Chook.

Shell

[Guest_1055]

I walked down to the train station and back. Which involved walking down and then up the steps at the station. It is about 30 minute walk all up.

I was walking with someone else who was catching the train. And I carried one of their bags. So I am going to see that as some weight training. I needed to keep swapping from one arm to the other.

I am super glad I walked. And I got some fresh air and sunshine as well

[Guest_1055]

Just got back from a 30 minute walk. Very beautiful out there tonight. We looked up into the night sky and saw so many stars. Feel refreshed from the chill in the air.

[Guest_5432]

That's really good Shelley Shelll you're have the motivation & energy to go for a walk. I'm just reading some posts lately. Too tired to do anything. Take care Sweetie - Chook

[Guest_1055]

Sorry you feel tired Chook. Are you sick? Heard somewhetr if you are physically sick, maybe your body is simply saying to you that you rest a while. Hope you feel up to it soon. And thank you for your encourging post again. It helps.

I am currently sitting in the car, with gentle soothing saxophone music waffling through the air. I am at the beach, just went for a walk. This elderly man is simply sitting facing the ocean on a bench. Playing this saxophone. I don't know the song. But I can feel emotion coming from whatever he is playing. It's kinda nice.

Anyway I went fir a 40 minute walk out here. It's nice and breezy. I am glad I walked but feel a bit tired now.

[Guest_1055]

Oh come back Mr Saxophone man. Thankyou for your beautiful music

[Elizabeth CP]

I haven't been posting much. with our current restrictions we are very limited in where and how far we can walk. I can only go out once a day so if I go with my husband I don't get much exercise & I'm not allowed to go out again but today I had to get a blood test so I walked there in the morning. Not very exciting. Then it was supposed to rain but had blue skies so took my husband out It isn't safe for him to walk near us on his own due to the infections.

I had spoke to my GP re the issues I was having & she told me if I'm stopped by the police with my husband to refer them to her to confirm that h needs longer to walk due to his condition & we need to go to areas away from people for safety.

We drove a short distance & then walked along a track through bushland. It was easy walking but the sun was out, very few people around so it was pleasant. Normally I would have walked further & had a break near the lake but that would have been pushing the limits too far so we headed back. I'll be glad when we can do longer more interesting walks. I will continue walking in areas with few if any people for safety until the pandemic is over

[Guest_5432]

Hi Shellly Shell

Thank you. You're spot on. Yes I've been physically sick for many years which is taking its toll during the pandemic lockdown 4. I've also studied how the human body reacts to constant negative news, toxic people & the like. I haven't had the energy to do much at all except by rising above it by positive thoughts & trying best to look at the bright side of things. Just the thought of exercise makes me tired yet love hearing about everyone exercise adventure. Take care- Chook