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 Eagle Ray, Shell and all reading,

Your walking place sounds lovely Eagle Ray. I hope to find some extra energy so I can drive to the beach sometime and go for a walk there or find a reservoir maybe. It is all so dry and parched here. I'm trying to find beauty in the scorched dry land! 

This morning I did see the beautiful vibrant green of leaves being lit by the sun. I was able to take some nice photos of the leaves with the sun behind them, the veins and details of the leaves were beautifully highlighted.

I saw a couple of comical hares racing up the dirt track in front of me. There were no kangaroos this morning. It was a strange grey start to the day, no real clouds, just a mass of grey!

Home feeling quite tired, please I pushed myself to go for a walk. Having a little rest and then I hope to do a bit of gardening.

Eagle Ray, yes, I was wondering what the ducks were thinking regarding the sheep. I don't really know how ducks think! It was comical to watch.

[Eagle Ray]

Hi Dools, Shell and All

 I love seeing the way light illuminates the green in leaves as it shines through them and enjoy photographing it too. The veins in the leaves are beautiful patterns aren’t they. I like how some gum leaves are green but with reddish lines in them, and then some younger leaves are red or a rusty colour. The sun behind them is so lovely.

I haven’t walked yet today, but did a late afternoon one yesterday. There was a cool breeze and actually needed a jumper. The river was choppy. Standing on a jetty the water looked dark in this deeper section. Kite surfers and windsurfers could be seen in the distance. Pelicans had their beaks tucked into their feathers. Quite a few dog walkers were out. I love seeing the different dogs.

It has become dry here too. A nearby dam that was brimming at the end of spring is now almost empty.

[GreenEgg]

What a great thread. It’s so lovely reading about everyone’s walks - and especially all the different animals. Kangaroos, ducks, hares, pelicans and sheep! What beautiful places and walks.

Today I met someone who walks in my local park everyday, with a bag of dog treats. All the dogs in the park ran up to her expectantly. It was so sweet to see them waiting patiently (and some not so patiently, to their owners dismay) for their goodies.

My favourite time is after a storm because the dogs are so happy and sweet and silly. So many puddles to play in, branches and sticks to chew. Soft soil to dig.

[quirkywords]

Green egg an eagle ray and everyon, 

I have a Fitbit I was given for my.birthday a couple of months back and it motivates me to walk more .

I like discovering the minute things in life when walking. A piece of crimp,Ed paper, a life with sunlight on it or a busy ant etc.m

[GreenEgg]

I’m glad you’re liking your fitbit & feeling more motivated, I think it’s a great idea. I’ve been thinking about one too but I’m trying to save money right now. Maybe soon!

There’s definitely something satisfying about walking and seeing your steps increase. I’ve made a DIY checklist that helps motivate me. Though some weeks I ignore it entirely, others I’m pretty good. It helps having a physical reminder.

Your walks sound very peaceful quirkywords! 

[Eagle Ray]

Lovely to hear of everyone’s walks. Quirky and GreenEgg, I’ve thought of getting a Fitbit too. I often have my phone with me and it measures the number of steps with a pedometer app. But sometimes I don’t feel like carrying it and I think a Fitbit does a few extra things.

Today I walked at my favourite ocean location. It was overcast but atmospheric. I saw a few crabs and a fishing boat out to sea. It was a stormy sky which matched the emotions I’ve been processing lately, which was actually helpful somehow. I watched some waves crashing into rocks and creating interesting spray patterns of water droplets.

GreenEgg I really loved hearing about the dogs in the park. They have the best energy don’t they 🐶

[Guest_1055]

Hi Mrs D, Eagle Ray, Green Egg, Quirky and all.

I liked reading about what you saw and experienced on your walks. I too like observing dogs. Most just look so carefree and happy. How I long to be carefree and happy with the simple things.  I don't have a fit bit. But I can see how it would encourage some to see how many steps or how far one walks and slowly increase it.

I have been walking a lot , every day and sometimes twice a day. Tonight however I went swimming. It felt so lovely and refreshing. I went swimming in the ocean baths. Breaststroked partly across the width then back again. I also floated on my back, looking straight up into the star filled dark sky. There was a round moon, so I looked at that too. So glad I went there.

The other evening I went for a huge long walk ...the coastal one. We walked for around 2-3 hours. I noticed I slept so well that night,as I was absolutely physically tired out. And I had so much fresh ocean air.

I have walked on the breakwall a few times and through the streets of that historical town with my sister. I like that town. It has large stone gutters and many historical buildings and homes. 

[Eagle Ray]

Dear Shell

I just loved reading about your night swimming and walks. Floating while looking up at the stars and the moon sounds like the most wonderful thing imaginable. It would be a great memory to return to anytime too. I’m now imagining doing it myself and it makes me feel peaceful and full of wonder.

The long coastal walk sounds really lovely too. I’m so glad you slept so well and got all that fresh ocean air. The historical town also sounds lovely to walk through.

Thank you so much for sharing those experiences.

[Guest_1055]

Hi Eagle Ray , thankyou for all the kindness you have given me over the last few weeks or more. Not sure what else to say about it, but thankyou.

I can relate to the stormy sky being like emotions. I don't know what to say to encourage you or anything. I am hearing you though. And my life is similar in that way. 

Where you walk sounds quite similar to places I have walked. Near the ocean. Seeing fishing boats. And even crabs. Crabs are can be pretty cute, especially the way they walk. Just so very unique

[Eagle Ray]

You are most welcome Shell. I’ve had some challenging times too recently, so I really relate to and empathise with things you’ve been going through. I feel like it’s connections with others that help pull us through. For me those connections are also with nature and it sounds like you are making healing connections with nature too. As humans I feel we are meant to live in tune with all those things you describe - the starts, the moon, the ocean etc.

I’ve really been noticing the crabs at a favourite rock pool lately. They might run and hide if I walk towards them. But if I just sit by the rock pool, often bathing my feet in it, they start to appear one by one. I get to see them feeding and going about their day, and they just start to treat me like part of the furniture. It feels so special just to be amongst other living beings. And yes crabs are so cute and funny too 🦀🥰