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,

Sounds like you are having quite an adventure Eagle Ray! I enjoy reading all you share with us. It is very sad to see dead wildlife on the roads. I see a lot here, it can be heart breaking.

You seem to find a lot of wonderful places to go walking, exploring and for taking photos. Hope this new day offers up wonderful opportunities for you.

Yesterday I had a walk along one of the roads outside or town. There was very little traffic so that was once. It was another foggy day. The sun came out briefly so I was able to take some atmospheric photos of the canola crop with green hills in the back ground and a dark stormy looking sky. 

It is drizzling and windy here so I may see what the weather is later on today regarding walking. Tomorrow I have to go to the city so I will incorporate a walk along a beach while I am there. 

[Eagle Ray]

Dear Dools, Shell and All,

The canola crop with the stormy sky sounds dramatic. It often looks amazing when the sun is out and illuminating the landscape, but there is a dark stormy sky looming as well. I hope you enjoy your beach walk tomorrow.

Yesterday I walked at a lake in a nature reserve just out of the town I was leaving. It was beautiful there. The lake was very big and there were fields of canola crops on the other side that were an intense yellow against the blue sky. On the side where I was there were a variety of beautiful wildflowers and many birds. I spent quite a while there.

 I drove through beautiful farmland after that on roads I’d never been on before. It was so interesting discovering this scenery. I find even though I’ve driven through a lot of farmland, it has a different character in different places. In this area there were granite rocks and rocky hills in the middle of fields. I found the interesting ruins of a stone farmhouse.

I had lunch at a picturesque little town. I then drove through more amazing scenery I’d never seen before including a beautiful woodland. There wasn’t time to keep stopping so I’d love to return to that area to explore it. The gum tress were a pale colour and the soil an earthy red.

Today I have just walked a little around towns I stopped at. One town has quaint little shops and I enjoyed walking up and down the main street. I stopped later and walked over a bridge to photograph a river. I’m lying on my couch at home now to have a rest!

 I hope you have both had a good day. Take care and kind wishes.

[Doolhof]

Hi Eagle Ray, Shell and all,

Once again it is wonderful reading of your adventures and all you are seeing Eagle Ray.

I had a very quiet day yesterday, didn't even step out of the house! Today I have to go to the city so will be looking forward to that walk on the beach.

I'm visiting my Mum again on Friday so will leave early to go for a walk along the way.

Hope everyone has a good day!

[Guest_1055]

Have a lovely time walking on the beach today Mrs D

[Guest_1055]

I too like reading your adventurous walks and drives as well Eagle Ray. I part of me desires to physically experience them with you. You describe everything so beautifully 

[Doolhof]

Hello Shell, Eagle Ray and to all reading,

My walk on the beach was bittersweet in a way. I had just dropped my husband off at the airport for a 5 week holiday with his mates.

It was very overcast at the beach and about 10 degrees, no rain so that was good. The ocean seemed to be a dirty green/brown colour, not sure why that was. The waves seemed to be filled with sand and further down the beach there was a lot of seaweed.

The waves were gentle and had a calming effect as I watched them and listened as they rolled onto the shore. There were not many shells on the beach at all, nor many seagulls. I saw about 6 altogether including what I think is called a Pacific Gull.( My mind could have just made that up. Ha. Ha. ) 

While in the city I decided to visit a discount shopping centre. I wandered up and down and looked in lots of shops. I'm not sure who would have enjoyed some of the fashions I was looking at. I did pick up a jumper which was a nice colour and patter only to find that there was only half a jumper! It would have only just covered the chest region. The rest of it was missing!

Another folded jumper that looked promising had sleeves long enough for the legs of a giraffe and the half length body section was wide enough for two people and it was sized small. 

It was interesting to walk around and I am sure I clocked up quite a few steps. I decided to treat myself to a delicious chicken salad and watched people walk past. I was outside the little restaurant at table and chairs, there was a bird above me on the light singing a wonderful tune for me to appreciate.

I've managed some gardening as well then had another treat in the form of a soak in the bath using a bath bomb that had been gifted to me.

I'm trying really hard to make the most of my day despite my sadness and disappointment. 

Hope you have managed something to inspire you today Shell and Eagle Ray. Regards form Dools

[Doolhof]

Hi Everyone,

This afternoon I went for a walk and was so tired, I rested a few times, taking in the scenery around me and sat for a while. I rested up against a gate to watch some sheep, the darn things all ran away to the other side of the hill so I could not see them. That made me laugh to myself.

I listened tot he birds in various places. I could not see them, but some had a lovely song. 

The sky was a brilliant blue with no clouds at all, the breeze was cool, the canola looked striking with its bright yellow flowers and dark green leaves and stems. Other crops were brilliant shades of green. It is a wonderful time to be out in nature.

[Guest_1055]

 Good Morning Mrs D,

Sometimes it feels so good to laugh. 

[Doolhof]

Hi Shell. Eagle Ray and to all reading,

Yes, it is good to have a laugh, it feels so good doesn't it and certainly lightens the mood and hits those endorphin thingies.

Today I stopped in a town I drive though when visiting my Mum. I had a walk along a dirt road, it was so picturesque with hills in the back ground, crops in the paddocks and some tall gumtrees in a dried creek bed. Further along I came across a native bush garden I never knew existed. It certainly pays to stop in a town and go for a walk! It was very pretty there. I will return sometime to explore it further.

On the way back to the car I saw a wombat burrow that has seen activity recently as there were what looked like fresh scurry marks and prints near the entrance. It was impressive!

For some reason my feet were really aching when I arrived home after helping Mum today so I soaked them in some warm water which helped a little. Might massage them later.

Hope you have all had a pleasant kind of day. 

[Doolhof]

Hi all,

I had a lovely walk recently with my sister. We went to a National Park and walked for a couple of hours, stopping to enjoy the view, listening to the birds, looking for flowers, watching an eagle and taking photos.

The orchids are not out yet in this park, I had read they were at a different place near us so I will try to get there some day soon. 

We saw some kangaroos as well. In that particular park, the roos are quite used to people walking through so you can stand reasonably close tot he ones near the paths and admire them, take photos and watch them. I like it when they have a scratch, they look so cute.

The weather was cool, looked like it might rain but the sun came out for a while so it was a lovely walk amongst nature.