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......

[Eagle Ray]

Hello again,

 I thought I would just share a walk by the river I did this afternoon. As soon as I looked into the river I saw these beautiful stripy fish swimming around. Then I saw another fish that I’m pretty sure was a herring. It had found something it was after at the bottom of the river and was digging a hole with its snout to get at it, though I didn’t see if it managed to eventually get what it wanted. It was sunny, calm and beautiful. People were out on their stand up paddle boards including a girl with her small dog. Quite a few people were fishing and three pelicans were close by hoping for some scraps where people were cleaning the fish. I also saw two Southern Emu Wrens which have a long tail feather. They make cute little chattery and buzzing sounds that are quite soft and gentle.

It was such a lovely afternoon to be out. Very early this morning when it was still dark I went outside into the bright moonlight. It was also very still then and I could hear the ocean. 

[Guest_10158]

Your walk sounds absolutely beautiful Eagle Ray. And I felt calm just reading it. Soo cute the little dog on the paddle board as well. 

[Guest_10158]

I just finished riding around the block on my bike. It is not a huge block and it took me 7 and half minutes. My knees were aching a bit going around and I could feel it in my legs. But it felt invigorating feeling the cool fresh air on my face and I still feel invigorating as I write this. I was puffing. I also have just started up using the rebounder again. Jumping 1 minute. Think this is my third time during the week. I am aiming for 10 minutes. I simply half lift and half drag it out of the garage and place it under the tree out there. Later in the day I will walk out near the ocean.

Yesterday I walked out there. The waves were so very big that the ocean baths were closed as rough enormous waves were crashing over it with such force travelling all the way to the far concrete wall. Once they hit the wall , the water sprayed up then the wave went back the way it had come. There were people standing there including myself just watching it all. And I noticed photographers taking shots and videos. 

The air was nice out there and I did take a few deep breaths. After staring at the waves in the baths, I walked on. Actually I kept looking at the waves along the beach, they were all enormous and rough. There were no people swimming in it. It seemed all the people were hovering around the beach kiosk as it was opened being Good Friday. Some were sitting on the many long and wide concrete steps sipping coffee or whatever it was, others on the chairs near the tables. I weaved my way through the people there standing around. Once I got passed them it was more quiet,it was just in that section. I walked on past the skate park on the right and the sand and ocean on the left of me. There wasn't a lot of sand as the ocean was far up. I really enjoyed this walk. I walked for about an hour.

I also walked in the evening with my son just around our place. I want to get fit again and also lose weight. Plus it helps me mentally and emotionally. 

[Eagle Ray]

It’s wonderful you are doing all those things for exercise. It really can be invigorating going for a bike ride can’t it. I have not ridden my bike in a very long time and I think it would be good for me. The rebounder under the tree sounds lovely. I imagine it is really good for balance, co-ordination and the muscles too. I was watching an interview with someone in his 80s the other day and at the end he said he was going to bounce on his trampoline after the interview. I thought that was lovely and I hope I’m bouncing on a trampoline in my 80s.

It sounds like it was wild and atmospheric by the ocean. Yesterday I went for a walk here by the estuary. There was a cold wind that felt Antarctic. I came to the spot where people often clean the fish they’ve caught. The stingrays were coming up to them and nudging them for fish scraps, sitting on their feet or brushing their legs. It’s so cute. There was a bunch of pelicans there too eagerly awaiting fish scraps thrown to them. I walked by the river and estuary this morning too and the light was silvery and very atmospheric. I met a new recent friend and her little dog and we went to a cafe and had a coffee. It was really lovely.

I so agree with you that walking and exercise generally help with mental and emotional well being. Have a lovely evening 🙏☺️