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]

Such a beautiful walk you went on Eagle Ray. And allowing yourself to immerse in the nature all around you. It's lovely.

I don't even know what a Osprey looks like. So will mostly do a google search for one.

Have you been on a houseboat before? I have wondered what that would be like.

And yes I know you really like dogs. Maybe one day you will be able to get one. 🐾🐾🐾

[Guest_1055]

I went walking on the breakwall this morning and walking with my sister in the afternoon. 

[Eagle Ray]

Hi Shell,

An osprey is a kind of sea eagle with white and brown markings. You can sometimes see them catch a fish, or eating a fish after they’ve caught one which they often take to a high point like a tree to eat.

Towards the end of my walk this morning I rested on a bench right by the water. Dolphins came up really close hunting for fish. They were so powerful and fast in the water. 3 other people stopped to watch them with me. One seemed smaller and we think it was a juvenile. I’ve been told the dolphins sometimes protect whale calves from sharks and I can see how they could because their strength in the water is incredible. They seem like assertive animals. If I need to be assertive I will just think of dolphins!

That’s lovely you got two walks in today Shell. It can be nice having both a solitary walk and one with company too. It’s great you get to have those walks with your sister.

[Doolhof]

Hi Shell, Eagle Ray and all reading,

I've been out walking most days, just not connecting here much. Shell you asked about the pool I go to, it is basically a hydrotherapy pool, it is difficult to do even breast stroke in it as it is small and can be a bit crowded. It is wonderful for exercising and stretching in with a nice warm temperature.

Yesterday I drove to the post office and kept going for another 6 kilometres, parked in a small "town" with about 100 people and went for a walk on dirt roads.

The clouds were very stormy looking and some were racing across the sky in the wind. It was a hilly region, so nice to see the paddocks were green, some sheep ran away as I approached and there were few birds, maybe due to the wind.

I saw some old farm machinery, a windmill and what looked like part of an old orchard with gnarly looking trees near a tiny creek. 

There were no cats or dogs around to be introduced to, I did hear dogs barking as I went past a couple of farm houses. Animals can be so comforting can't they and most dogs just want some attention.  Shell, you mentioned an orange cat, I walked past a house here in our town with a very friendly tabby cat that came up for a pat, have not seen it again. 

It would be lovely to have such opportunities to be near the ocean as you ladies mention often. Seeing the countryside is very special too. 

I'm tying to work up enthusiasm for a walk this morning. It is blowing a gale outside and is quite cold. I will add some layers of clothes and set off soon. If I walk around the town itself instead of the out lying roads it may not be as windy.

Wishing you all a great day.

[Eagle Ray]

Hi Dools, Shell and All,

 I hope you enjoyed your walk today Dools if you did get out. I enjoyed reading about the rural scenery you saw yesterday. I have a couple of those towns nearby of about 100 people where they are only barely recognisable as a town. One has an antique store and just a few other buildings. The other is slightly bigger with a tavern, two service stations and an agricultural supplies store. Both have small housing developments with blocks a bit larger than a standard residential block up to a small hobby farm size. My town is bigger but still on the small size, except during tourist season when the population swells. People with holiday homes here arrive along with multiple others.

 I only walked to the bakery today where I bought rice paper rolls for lunch. On the way home I saw an osprey on top of a mobile phone tower. They love high spots.

[Doolhof]

Hi Eagle Ray, Shell and All,

The sun has not yet risen here. I will go for a walk when it is light enough to see where I am going. No street lights right near us and a main road, not so good with traffic not being able to be seen.

Yesterday I walked the other side of our town, they have more streets. I seemed to set off everyone's dogs yesterday! A tiny little thing about the size of an average cat appeared to be trying to howl like a wolf and while doing so its front legs were lifting off the ground due to the effort. It was hilarious.

I had dressed up warm as it was very windy and cold. The rain clouds were coming over just as I was returning home. I had sat for a moment near the little pond in our town, I was pleased to see about a dozen ducks there and I could hear some frogs as well. 

The walk took me past farm land on the outskirts of the town. Looks like most of the farmers have been putting in seed for grain crops probably or maybe more canola. One farm had a couple of cows in a small enclosure, I walked closer to the fence to have a better look at them. One cow came closer, was a bit wary and walked off again. It was lovely to see her huge eyes and eyelashes. 

This morning I will walk the road that offers the best sunrise option, making sure I have my high vis gear on.

Wishing you all a lovely day.

[Guest_1055]

Thankyou for sharing Eagle Ray and Mrs D

I went walking out on the breakwall plus up lighthouse hill. Once up on top of the hill, I leaned over the wall. Resting some to catch my breath and because I just wanted to look out. Looked out upon the port and watched the sail boats moving gentle like. I felt the warmth of the sun on my face. Nice.

Yesterday I walked around the neighbourhood.

Sorry not many words tonight. Don't know why

[Eagle Ray]

Hi Shells and Dools,

Yesterday I didn’t do a walk but I drove to near the river mouth. Here I was able to watch dolphins doing spectacular acrobatics. They were fishing in what seemed were abundant schools of fish which fed their excitement. In the middle of lunging after fish they were doing all kinds of twists and flips in the air. They were clearly playing and having a great time.

Today I just walked the 5 minutes into town to do errands. I’m lucky to have all services and shops so close to me. It had been raining a lot and rivulets of water were running down the road. Honeyeaters were feeding on native plants flowering by the path. Some shopkeepers were bringing in racks of clothing and other items from outside their shops because they were worried about rain coming onto the veranda. 

I slept on the couch for hours after getting home. I briefly woke to see sunlight streaming through the window which looked lovely. The next time I woke up it was getting dark.

[Guest_1055]

Oh so beautiful sitting watching the dolphins 

[Guest_1055]

Beautiful walk on the breakwall today