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_9809]

Hi to Shell, Elizabeth, Mrs Dools, Matt and anybody else who frequents this exercise thread.

Well ... due to having been 'on the road' and doing post Christmas family visits over the past 2 weeks, I have gotten out of the habit of my daily exercise bike routine.

Yesterday I started again. Oh dear, it was so darned hard!

This is quite dispiriting. I had been going well up until we left for our road trip (2670kms in total) and had been able to built up the distance and time on the bike nicely. It was actually becoming easier for me. Nice !

But now .... I could barely manage 5mins, 2kms on the bike. This is so unfair. Why do you lose all that you have previously put into it, seemingly in the blink of an eye? I am now right back to square one. With much work to do again.

How do you all go with this, the starting all over again? I really feel like just giving it up as a bad joke, and forgetting all about my previous good intentions.

Taurus

[Guest_1055]

I really enjoyed reading about where you walked Elizabeth. It took my mind of other thoughts. Plus it just sounds interesting as I have never been or walked where you have. Even the floating island of plants in the water of a crater has me curious to know what that looks like.

Hope you feel better soon in regards to the painful chest and tummy. I wonder what it is from??

Shell xx

[Guest_1055]

Aw please don't feel discouraged Taurus...though that is easy to say that, and sometimes harder to not feel it.

And I don't know why we lose it, especially when one has worked so hard and put so much effort into it previously. But perhaps you will go back up to where your were previously pretty quick like, as it has only been two weeks.

Besides with all that extra sitting down whilst driving on your trip probably made your back a bit painful or stiff like or something. You have mentioned before that you have had troubles with your back.

Anyway don't lose heart hey!..... keep going if your body allows it. I only say that last bit because of your back.

Shell xx

[Elizabeth CP]

Thanks for your encouraging reply Shell. Taurus Don't give up. We only fail if we stop trying. Hopefully it won't take so long to build yourself back up but just do what you are able each day & aim to slowly increase. Mind you I'm much better at knowing what to do & giving good advice than following it. It is discouraging when you go backwards but I know you will regain your strength & endurance.

Yesterday my husband & I did a walk late in the day. We went a different way ending up at a different longer set of steps. Walking back there was a lovely sunset.

[1113]

Peaceful Morning all,

I hope all are blissfully well.

I popped in to share a walking game I play with my boy.

-----------------------------------------

Zen Ninja game for kids..............................

You can do this walking anywhere e.g. pool, environment etc.

The rules;

1. You must breath at a comfortable speed.

2. You must walk at a consistent pace. No variable.

3. You must concentrate on rule 1 and 2. Plus where you are walking.

4. You must accept thoughts as being thoughts and not dwell on them. E.G. let them pass through.

5. Practice this until your thoughts are clear and you are in a Zen state.

6. Do this for 20 minute's.

7. Then stop and stretch, look at clouds in the sky and find shapes or look at nature's beauty.

Then you have become a Zen Ninja.

--------------------------------------

I wish every walking legend a peacefull Australia day.

Peace

Matt

[Airies]

Hi folks,

reading about your frolics in the ocean baths Shelley Anne takes me back 40 years ago on a trip to Sydney. Remembering swimming in similar baths. Wow breast stroke can't do that , I just learnt to swim about 4 years ago.

I live close by to the ocean but haven't been in the water for years and years. Good on you for walking, swimming and going to the gym.

Taurus don't give up hope. Our muscles have memory retention and as hard as it is,it's never as hard as the first time. I was inactive due my illness for over a year. Progressively as I've gotten better from doing nothing, struggling to get out of bed, my excercise levels have increased over time. Small baby steps one foot in front of the other

cheers Len

[Guest_1055]

Hi Elizabeth, Mrs D, Taurus, Matt, Len, and anyone else reading.

That is nice living near the ocean Len. Is it full of sharks or something. So do you go walking perhaps with your dog there? Or do you do regular swimming since you learnt how to?

Yes I do like swimming in the ocean baths, though I am not a good swimmer. I prefer to go either very early in the morning or late evening. Reason being there are less people. I am not fond of crowds of people. The baths are lit up at night too.

That is great you play games with your boy Matt. Thanks for the game idea. And what is Zen state? Is it relaxed or no thoughts at all?

Well.... I have been going to the gym over the last few days. Almost exercising like a robot due to struggling with some stuff. Anyway I am still glad I went. So victory to me... Yeah! I still went along anyway. I listened to beautiful uplifting music as I was working out. Just plugged the ear phones into the actual equipment, found the songs I wanted on YouTube. And then I was set. I went by myself these last few times and later at night too. There is security cameras in this gym also.

I also walked a little along the path near the beach with my son one night. On the way back an ugly r--t scurried towards me from I don't know where. It ran into the low lying bushes right near my feet. Gosh it startled me big time. I don't like any animal from the rodent family at all. Nope hate them. Anyway it helped me walk quicker.

Shell xx

[1113]

Hi all,

Nice to see you out and about shelly.

Zen is described as Simple, Direct and Effective. When people are in a Zen state of mind it can be described as an elevated or higher level state of consciousness or, rather, awareness.

I will drop by a bit later.

Peace and equality

Matt.

[Guest_9809]

Hi there Len. I dont think we've actually met before, although I have seen you around some of the Social threads I think. I dont recall having read your actual thread anywhere though. You dont appear in the long term support section, so where abouts can I find you?

Anyway thanks for your encouragement back on Australia Day. I have tried hard to get back into my exercise routine, but its just so very hard. I dont feel like doing anything at all to be completely honest. But I know I must. I want to start walking my dog more, she deserves that. As I suppose I do too. I just seem to be totally lacking in any motivation whatsoever. Mind and body just do not want to co-operate with me at all.

Hopefully when the weather cools down a bit come autumn I will feel more like going for regular walks again. And I think once I finish work in three weeks time, I will force myself to attend Pilates classes at the gym in town. But in the meantime I really need to push myself to get back on the exercise bike! Urggg ...

Taurus xx

[RosiePoss]

Hi everyone,

I am Rose, I am new to this...I hope that I'm posting correctly...we'll see.

I have pretty well over summer- but that isn't unusual for me. The change from summer to autumn is what I'm dreading. That is when I typically get flat and anxious.

Last year, I was doing really well on walking in the nearby National Park. Now, after the Christmas chaos and returning to work in the last couple of weeks, I am having trouble getting motivated again. I've been out working in the garden, but I'm missing the time to myself, away from family, phones etc. The hot weather really isn't helping.

Does anyone have any good ideas for getting restarted?

Rose