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]

I am hope you feel better soon Eagle Ray. I could feel you in amongst your words. Wish I could help.

[Guest_1055]

Tonight we went walking out on the breakwall about 7:30pm. It was pretty dark by then already. So parts of the walk was lit up by the torch on my phone.

Towards the end of the path we both heard like a bark coming from the rocks area or the water in the port down there. A seal🦭🦭🦭is what we both thought or seals. I have seen one in the daylight around there before. We couldn't see much tonight the water was just too dark. Seals have the cutest face either. 

Walking along we could smell that ocean smell and feel the fresh air. So nice.

Today I also walked a bit carrying serving plates from an outside kitchen to a large room that holds functions. Back and forth quite a few times. The walking in the fresh air was good. But also answering some questions from people who were strangers at this function was good for me. It is very much out of my comfort zone. I am tired of being scared of people. And what they think of me. So yeah it was good for me I think.

Yesterday we went walking around the neighbourhood. It's about an hour's walk 

[Eagle Ray]

Dear Shell, thank you so kindly. Having a difficult time lately and not very well. But I keep looking to those things that lift me - nature, music I like etc. Didn’t get to have a walk today.

 I hope you had a good day and that you are ok. Thank you again, you are so thoughtful 🙏

[Doolhof]

Hi Shell, Eagle Ray and all reading,

Eagle Ray I am sorry to read yo are struggling at present. If you are unable to get out in nature, do yo enjoy looking at your photos or does that sometimes make you wish more you were outside? I also like to Google places around the world to see what nature has to offer else where.

Drones are amazing devices, they can be disturbing of the peace though as you found trying to take photos of the wrens. 

Shell, I remember seeing "skeletons" of leaves that look amazing. There are such varieties and colours in leaves, it is quite amazing when you stop to look at them.

My walk was short yesterday, wandering in a little park where I saw a variety of birds and a rabbit. IN the paddocks across the road were some cows and a few sheep with black faces. There were huge gum trees as well  and what looked like a creek. I wanted to climb over the fence and go exploring! As it was all private land that was not possible! The view was lovely. 

[Eagle Ray]

Hi Shell, Dools and All,

Shell, somehow I missed your post yesterday about hearing a bark that might be a seal. Seals are gorgeous aren’t they. They remind me of dogs. There has been one at our town recently. And yes the ocean smell is so refreshing isn’t it. It makes you feel alive. I’m glad you got something out of the function you helped at too. I so relate to the feeling of being tired of being scared of people.

Dools, yes I very much enjoy looking at nature photos on the computer and like you I enjoy looking at nature places from around the world on the internet. I have even made up virtual holiday itineraries, imagining where I will go and what I’ll see and do. Yes, drones create wonderful aerial images of landscapes. I actually don’t mind them too much but it was interesting how the small birds responded the other day. I can relate to what you say about wanting to climb a fence and go exploring but you can’t because it’s private land. A public trail near here runs through farmland and is very scenic, so I enjoy the scenery from the path but would love to be able to venture further.

I’m unlikely to walk today. In bed at the moment. But I can hear magpies, parrots and wattlebirds chattering outside. Every now and then a kind of ocean air mass comes in here, like an invisible fog. You can actually feel the air change on your skin which is so refreshing and smell the freshness of the air. It often happens when quite still, so just seems to roll off the ocean somehow. I can actually feel it coming in through the window.

Hope you both have a lovely rest of your day.

[Doolhof]

Hi Eagle Ray, Shell and hello to all reading,

I too missed Shell's message yesterday. Seals are such docile looking creatures, they can move quite quickly on land if they so desire. Where I grew up, there were seals in the region. I remember trying to go fishing off the jetty and a seal was hanging around. Didn't catch any fish that day.

Eagle Ray, hope yo are soon feeling better. The description of the sea mist/atmosphere coming through your window sounds amazing. I like your idea of a virtual holiday, there is so much to see in this amazing world of ours.

My walk this  morning was in a town close to us where I had to get the car serviced. I wrote about it on another thread thinking it was here! 

[Doolhof]

Hi Everyone,

I had a slower walk this morning. For some reason my back is quite painful. I rugged up nice and warm and went for a walk at dawn. I saw 4 kangaroos in a paddock close to us, they were some distance away, one was a little hesitant and hopped away a short distance then stood up tall as though watching me.

There were about 20 ducks on a dam. They take off when I get close to them as I walk along the road. I was able to take a lovely photo of them one morning as they flew past me with the sunrise behind them.

Some magpies were serenading the morning and didn't have an urge to swoop me, so I was pleased with that!

There was some colour in the sky, it went from pale pink to yellow, orange then faded to grey. 

I will do some stretches later and see if that helps my back.

Wishing everyone a nice day where some kind of exercise helps to increase your mood and vitality. Regards form Dools

[Guest_1055]

Are you able to bring nature into you at all Eagle Ray. Surround yourself with indoor plants the ones that clean inside air. A clean glass jar of beach or river sand. Baskets of shells ( they can sometimes smell like the ocean) pine cones, bunches of sweet smelling flowers maybe. The ocean air waffling in your window sounds healthy and calming. Hearing the chirping of birds outside is beautiful too. " Whatever things are lovely, whatever things are true and beautiful, think upon these things" A verse from the bible. 

Oh yes seals are the cutest ,they also remind me of a dog. Maybe it's there whiskers? Think that seal post was held up for a while, don't know why. 

 Never thought of making virtual holiday itineraries before. The thought of visiting Switzerland in my imagination sounds so crisp, clean fresh air with green healthy grass on the mountains 🏔️. Hearing those bells from the mountain goats ( memories from a Heidi movie)

Maybe you will be out walking again soon.

[Eagle Ray]

Hi Dools, Shell and All,

Dools, your walk this morning sounds lovely, seeing the kangaroos, ducks, magpies and colourful sunrise. The photo of the ducks flying with the sunrise behind would be beautiful. I’m sorry you have the back pain. I hope it eases soon.

 I have enjoyed watching the moon rise which I have been able to see through the window from my bed. I wasn’t able to walk today but I did move about doing a few cleaning and tidying tasks this morning. I hope to restart some mini walks soon.

[Guest_1055]

I enjoyed hearing about your walks Mrs D. I too hope your back pain eases for you. Do you still go fishing?