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 Shelley and All,

Feeling a lot better today thanks. Went to assist an elderly lady for an hour this morning. I was kind of hoping she had some inside jobs for me seeing as it was already about 30 + degrees. No. It was sweeping off cobwebs then washing windows, also sweep up the front verandah of leaves.

I was sweating that much I think I actually did two hours of work in the one. Ha. Ha.

Caught up with friends for lunch and had a lot of salad. Then wandered around in a supermarket up and down isles! Did my walking in there today and in a department store looking for stuff, then forgot what I was looking for!

Still need to do the dishes and ironing tonight. That is exercise too right! Far too hot outside for a walk!

Tomorrow is supposed to be hotter still. Will have to find some inside exercise options.

Cheers Shelley and all.

[Doolhof]

Hi Everyone,

I meant to say thanks about the cholesterol tips people mentioned as well.

I have printed out some information the Dr gave me about healthy foods. My husband has been cooking dinner for a while recently and likes to make fatty dishes, uses cream and lots of butter.

Tonight I asked for my potatoes to be plain before he adds all the other goodies for himself. Working together I will eventually have a healthier diet.

How is this for a breakfast: Carrot and yellow split pea soup with (fresh) 4 bean mix and a bowl of assorted melons. Sounds a bit healthier than bacon and eggs on white toast!

Cheers.

Oh yes, the walnuts were from a client I used to have.

[Elizabeth CP]

Hi Dools It sounds like you are feeling better which is good. You are certainly getting plenty of exercise in the garden, volunteering & walking around shops. Good on you for trying to eat healthy foods to manage your cholesterol. You are a great example to us.

It was hot today and we went to Scienceworks with my daughter & grandchildren It was good to watch the kids trying the different activities in the museum including controlling a robot around an obstacle course. We went by train but had to allow extra time due to having bus replacement services due to wok on the train line. As a result we arrived 1.2 hr before opening time so my husband & I went for a walk along the Yarra River which is nearby. Not my favourite walk as it is a very industrial area so while the river is OK & there was some parkland there are lots of factories etc nearby & the smell from the factories particularly the petrol processors is not pleasant. Positive note we got the exercise before it was too hot & were reminded how much nicer the area we live in is.

good luck to everyone with whatever exercise you choose

[Guest_1055]

Oh that is pretty hot to work outside Mrs D. You poor thing... However that is a lot of exercise right there, washing windows, sweeping and getting rid of cobwebs. Plus they say sweating from good old fashioned work/exercise releases toxins from the body or something don't they? And also you walking up and down grocery isles and such.

And as for your breakfast, I can't say that I have ever had soup for mine. But I don't see why not. I have had fresh juices that have contained carrot though.

Shell xx

[Guest_1055]

Hey Elizabeth, you sure have been doing a lot of walks of late, all in very different places. I suppose you wouldn't get bored that way and you do see a lot of different sceneries and even smell different smells, i.e....the petrol and factory smells.

Do you have any plans as to where you will venture to next, maybe tomorrow or the next day?

And did you control the robot as well around the obstacle course? That actually sounds fun..

Shell xx

[Elizabeth CP]

Hi Shell,

Only kids were able to control the robots. My SIL went in with my grandson so he could help. Once my granson learnt what to do he had total control.

Today is hot so I forced myself to get out of bed & go for a walk. My husband joined me. My husband did the steps once because he wasn't feeling well & didn't want to make himself worse. I did the steps twice but felt I was forcing myself. I arrived home feeling exhausted even though I didn't walk far. Maybe I'm still tired from NYE when I ended up really sick overnight. Also the medication I'm on (to hopefully get rid of the infection I have) may be making me feel tired. It is composed of 3 medication taken together so it is strong.

At least I did a walk.

[Guest_1055]

I hope you start to feel like you have more energy soon Elizabeth.

Visited the gym again today, I keep going because the person I go with said that they like me coming along. Plus I did enjoy it and it feels like I am getting stronger or something, especially in the legs. Because I can go a bit faster then previously. So I went on the treadmill for 20 minutes and the bike for 12 minutes.

Shell xx

[Doolhof]

HI One and All,

My husband and I have been very blessed in visiting different places around the world. The breakfasts we have enjoyed in various countries have been so interesting and nothing like you would expect if you are used to a cereal type breakfast.

In Bali we were having food I would generally associate with lunch or dinner for breakfast. So I have decided to make that concept work here at home. I am a bit amazed and horrified at how much sugar is in some of the cereals and so called health foods we find on our shelves.

This morning I cleaned a friend's house for three hours for her. She is having an operation next week. Thankfully her air-conditioning works really well! That was my exercise for the day.

Tomorrow it is going to be about 40 degrees again, so any exercise will be something happening inside. My husband has a mate sleeping over tonight, so I will be playing breakfast host in the morning! The friend gets up very early, so I chat with him until my husband is up. No chance for an early morning walk.

Today I felt a bit down and was going to binge eat on my husband's chocolates, but managed to shut the cupboard door and had a coffee instead. Then I read for a while to distract myself.

Wishing you all well with your exercises in this heat some of us are experiencing.

Cheers all from Dools

[Elizabeth CP]

Good on you Dools, Next time you are tempted to binge you can remember your success today & hopefully overcome it again. Each success is an extra bit of strength or willpower.

I walked this morning. It was already heating up so I didn't feel like it. Fortunately most of the steps are in the shade which helped. My husband is sick so no more long walks for some time till he recovers & regains strength. In the meantime I will just have to watch him & make sure he is OK. This means reminding him to do things which help. when he is sick he gets too tired to think very logically. Hopefully he will recover without trips to emergency.

[Guest_1055]

Oh Mrs D, I am glad you didn't eat that chocolate, when you felt a bit down. Good on you! I can totally relate to the chocolate that seems to loudly call out when one is feeling down or sad. And did you end up having the carrot and yellow split pea soup for breakfast?

Hey maybe you could have a go on that inside exercise pedal thing if it is too hot tomorrow. It was you that had one wasn't it?

I am sorry your hubby is sick again. May he pick up again real soon Elizabeth. How are you feeling now in regards to all that medication you are taking?

I went along to the gym tonight, went on the cross trainer again for 15 minutes and the bike for 5minutes. I also had my very first try on an assisted chin up thing. Never have I ever done a chin up in my life. Strange looking piece of equipment that one.. It is even a challenge to describe how it works, and I still don't understand the science behind how it works. But basically the first thing you do is choose the weights on the side, then step up, then kneel on this raised platform, whilst hanging onto two pegs above you. The platform goes down, then you pull yourself up again still hanging onto these pegs. You pull up as far as the top, then repeat the whole process. It was pretty tricky getting off the whole thing once you have completed the required amount. Which was 10 for me.

I also had tears in my eyes as the person showing me was so abrupt in speaking to me. He was explaining how the weights work in this one. ie he weighed 88 kg, so he set the weights at 58kg. Anyway somehow the person doing the assisted chin up, is actually lifting up less weight then they weigh. It has something to do with the chosen weights on the side. I know there is a science behind how it works. But honestly it takes me forever to grasp the meaning of it. Anyway he asked me this question: how much weight was he lifting? So I walked around the side, looked down at the choosen weight and told him. I thought perhaps he had forgotten how much he was lifting. My answer was wrong. His response was abruptly spoken. And I felt so stupid and humiliated. I couldn't help it, and tears started to fall. I still did the exercise. As I am writing this now, about 1 hour later, I still feel a sadness of some kind because of this. However I am glad I still did this chin up even with tears, because in years gone by I would have just wanted to run away and hide somewhere nice and safe.

Thanks for reading if you did..

Shell xx