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]

Hi there Rose,

Yes you are posting correctly. All cool there! Oh yeah it has been super hot hey. Finding motivation to just get out and walk or exercise can be a challenge. Even today I was finding it so challenging as I just didn't feel like it. Someone advised me today do just ignore how I felt and focus on thoughts like" I will exercise" and then just put that thought into action. I ended up going to the gym and managed a shorter work out.

Anyway another strategy you could try would be to write a list of reasons you want or need to walk or exercise. Like you could write. Walking by myself helps me feel recharged. Etc. The list would be personal to you. You could also try being accountable to someone else.

I hope that helps in some way. You could post back here and tell/report to us about your walk in the nearby national park also if you believe that would help you. That has helped me before.

Are you able to go for an early morning walk, possibly before the day heats up to much?

Shell xx

[Guest_1055]

Hi Taurus,

I just re read your post there. I know you have had difficulties sleeping and sometimes even no sleep at all. I cannot be sure of this but I believe that would make it so much physically challenging to do any exercise. Maybe you could just set your goal much lower or something. A goal that you know you can achieve. Take it easy there Taurus.

Shell xx

[thisaquarian]

Hi Shelly anne, what a great forum. I'm so glad that I found this.

Walking is one of the most accessible exercises - you can do it anywhere and it's FREE. You can walk as little or as much as you like. Some people can only do a couple laps of their front/back yard, some choose to walk shopping malls or big walking tracks.

Lately I have not been walking - I've let other things get in the way of something that makes me feel really really good... and then I have been getting upset about it - and taking it out on my poor partner.

So tonight I am going for a walk - with or without my partner - and I am going to feel great! It's so crazy - almost 10 minutes after deciding NOT to walk, I wish I had, and then I get angry and resentful - it's so silly!! So I am going to try to remember this.

Another thought... I am left with this belief (due to a bunch of stuff which happened in my teens which I won't go into, it's not relevant) that exercise is what you do when you're overweight, and to 'make up for' eating something.

What a load of codswallop!!!!

When I exercise I feel great! I feel happy, energized and like I can accomplish anything.
I deserve to feel great!!

I'm off to put up post it notes, all over the place, so that when I get into a "can't be bothered to walk" slump again, I will remember how GREAT walking makes me feel!

[velvetfaerie]

OHhhhhhh .... I am happy to have found this group!!

So much insightful things, all of which I totally agree with and "get".

I love walking, cycling, weights training, kick boxing, step classes, HIIT, I do it ALL ! The week before last I had been neglecting my exercise and boy howdy how it affected my mood and how I deal with things.

I must remember that no matter how bad the depression/anxiety etc gets me, all i have to do is drag my butt to the gym or out for a walk or cycle and things seem to be easier to handle.

Hope you all enjoy your exercise !

Chae.

[Guest_1055]

Hi thisaquarian,

You go girl!....... I really enjoyed reading your post there. And I can totally relate to the " can't be bothered to walk" slump. And now I am imagining yellow post it notes stuck on doors, cupboards, fridge, microwave and even the bathroom mirror in someone's home. Have you been walking yet? If so, where do you like walking? I sometimes walk on the beach, the path near the beach, and a few other areas.

Anyway good on you.....

Shell xx

[Guest_1055]

Hi Chae,

You sound pretty fit and have quite a collection of different active things you do. Good on you! Yeah I also notice a difference when I don't exercise. It can make me feel less bothered to do anything or something. I have been going to a gym for about 6 weeks or so now I believe. I didn't think that I would like it at all, but I actually do. So what is HIIT? I will be visiting with a personal trainer within the next couple of weeks, she will help me with some sort of programme that I will follow. I have mainly being doing cardio, but I have found out lifting weights is a beneficial thing as well.

Thanks heaps for the encouraging post to us all and keep up the good work!

Shell xx

[velvetfaerie]

Hi shell

HIIT - high intensity interval training... short sessions ...... for a reason !!!

hurts a lot

But achieves a lot

😉

[Doolhof]

Hi Everyone,

It has been a while since I posted. My exercise regime has taken a hit so I will get started again slowly, one step at a time.

I've been in hospital for a couple of weeks, only a small place so not very far to walk unless you do laps of the same corridors.

My new meds are making me really tired as well, so I haven't been doing much at all. A bit of gardening here and there is about as active as I get. That is certainly better than nothing.

Hope you all manage to get out and do a little exercise of some sort over the weekend. Cheers

[Guest_1055]

Hi Mrs D, Chae, thisaquarian, Taurus, Elizabeth and anyone else reading,

Mrs D, I know you have been in Hospital, and have been struggling. I am so sorry. I left a couple of replies on your latest thread. I also know you did a bit of physical activity today outside in the fresh air. Yeah I worked a little in the garden today too, just pulling out a few weeds and tough roots. I am hoping to plant out a herb garden part way along the back fence. Gardening can be active, as you do use a few muscles plus being outside I think gives us a bit of a lift. Maybe it is breathing hopefully in a lot of fresh air and a bit of sunshine or something. And Chae, thanks for saying what that abbreviation was, I am still not entirely sure what it means, but maybe it is like really pushing yourself physically hard like running really fast or something for just a little while...

Elizabeth I am not sure if you are reading, but I hope you and your hubby are okay. Are you still walking up and down those steps? I thought of you last week. Because I travelled to Melbourne and it was my first time there. Anyway I knew you had walked around there. We walked all around the Fitzroy Gardens for quite some time and we came across miniature houses, a bit like a small village with a stream running through it in sections. Very cute, but I did wonder where the miniature people were. We also walked around the Historical Victoria State library. I am not sure how many floors it is, but we walked up and down steps. The ceiling was incredible as one looked up, especially in the section where people play Chess. We also did a huge amount of walking around in a shopping centre, as we got lost in it. The shopping centre was above Melbourne Central Railway Station. Anyway I just wanted you to know that you came into my thoughts when we were there.xx

Taurus I know you are struggling a bit of late, so I will leave a special hug here for you to collect if and when you visit this thread again. (( T )) xx

Thisaquarius, I am not sure what to say, but I don't believe I have seen heart glasses like that before. Hope you are okay there?

And I have been mostly exercising in the gym every day, except for 2 days, where I had a huge headache. I am so glad that I seem to be sticking to it. I think it helps with motivation knowing someone has actually been paying for me to go, as I don't want to waste their hard earned money or anything.

bye now

Shell xx

[Doolhof]

Hi Shell and Everyone,

I have appreciated your comments on the other thread, thanks. Yes, gardening can be quite physical. I have given my back quite a shock lately, so I need to ease off a little! Ha. Ha.

Here in the country we are fortunate to have very fresh air, the only problem is the noise of the traffic on the highway, it goes rather non stop for 24 hours a day. Makes me wonder where everyone is going!

I'm planning to walk to the Post Office today. That will be good in so many ways. I will be out of the safety of our own yard, I will have exercise and I might even bump into someone to say "Hello" to. Then again I could wait hours on our main street to see another person who is not in a car. Ha. Ha.

I might even call into the Op Shop in the main street and see if there is anyone I know there to say Hi to.

All the best to everyone with your exercise, no matter how you choose to do it, something is better than nothing.

Cheers all from Mrs. Dools