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]

Last night I went walking up the street with my son. It is just a slight hill really. We took the umbrella. When the rain got heavy enough we put it up. A flood of happy and content memories came back to me. I was remembering the sound of the rain hitting the roof of the large canvas tent. The tent we would go camping in when I was little. Just laying there all dry inside while listening to the pitter patter of rain on the roof. It was just nice.

I got a bit wet on this walk , just on one side of me. I didn't mind 

[Doolhof]

Hi Guest_1055 and all reading,

I have just read your posts here, it is wonderful yo are able to share your walking experiences with us. 

I have been away for a couple of weeks and returned with Covid! I have been quite ill with it. Yesterday I had a walk around in the garden, more like a couple of steps, stop for breathe and a few more steps!

This morning I ventured onto the dirt road near the house.  I managed about 10 minutes which felt like I had run a marathon! Ha. Ha. It was wonderful to be out in the fresh air, to see the variety of colours in the paddocks, the sheep are now more brown in colour than ever and a couple of kangaroos gave me great joy.

The sky seemed to be filled with dirt, the top soil from the local farmers, it was rather windy and my eyes soon felt gritty. I heard some bird chatter and the sound of the wind in the trees. 

I greatly appreciated the ability to go for a walk this morning and hope to do so again tomorrow. 

My Mum told me she has set up a route in her unit and courtyard garden where she now tries to walk for 10 minutes a day in her own little area. I don't know why she is not venturing outside, it is wonderful she is taking care of herself regardless. 

Would anyone else like to join us and share their story of walking, or maybe even your struggle to do so, we may be able to encourage you.

[Doolhof]

I'm not sure if my going for a walk while having Covid breathlessness and vertigo is the right thing to do or not. Some information on the internet says it is good to exercise moderately, other sites say it can just trigger further symptoms!

I pushed myself to walk for 10 minutes and felt quite exhausted. I still needed to get home, so thankfully I was on the dirt road near home. I curled up on some dry grass near some thick bushes and had a rest for an hour.

The wind was blowing quite strong so I was thankful for the wind break of the bushes. The sun peaked out from the clouds now and then and warmed me. I heard some magpies. I watched the clouds rush about the sky for a while, saw a butterfly and watched as a pigeon tried to fly into the wind.

A slow relaxed walk home again with the wind behind me gave me time to look at the sheep again, the colours in the clouds kept changing.

Maybe with tomorrow's walk I will take a back pack, a blanket, water and a snack!

[Doolhof]

Hi All reading,

I was determined to have another walk this morning and did take my back pack with water, a snack and an old sheet to roll myself up in.

My walk was slow and I stopped to look at different things along the way. I noticed a bush covered in a type of bottle brush like flower but in white which was buzzing with bees. Further along a flock of small birds was flying from briar rose bush to the next as I proceeded up the track.

I found a nice spot in the sun amongst the dry grass and curled up in my sheet using a pile of dried grass as a pillow under the sheet. I listened to the magpies and other birds.

Later on I decided it was time to have a drink, eat my snack and consider retuning home. I had only been sitting for a moment when 3 guys went past very slowly on dirt bikes, they all looked at me a little surprised to see me sitting there having a picnic for one on a sheet near a bush in the dry grass.

I was imagining how they may have felt if they had seen me all wrapped up in a sheet laying there in the grass at the base of a bush!

My walk home was slow and I stopped a few times to gain my breathe. I made it!

[Eagle Ray]

It’s lovely you are getting out for your walks Dools even with Covid. It’s great you feel able to do them and it seems like it’s even helping you in recovery.

Taking a sheet to wrap yourself up in at whatever location is appealing is such a nice idea. It’s like being wrapped up in a cocoon, all cosy. It reminds me once of when I was camping in a swag under the stars. It was so nice to sleep in the open in a bush setting. The only slightly concerning thing was the kangaroos thumping past in the night, but luckily they didn’t land on me.

 I walked today down to the river. There is a seat nestled under a tree that curves over it like a shade umbrella. It feels very cosy and secluded there. The water was a beautiful turquoise. The sun was warm even though the breeze was cool. It’s still breezy this evening.

[Doolhof]

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for sharing your story here Eagle Ray, I love the sound of the bench near the river. I keep a picnic blanket in the car and sometimes find dirt roads with enticing areas to walk and have a picnic or snooze. I've been thinking about getting a swag! I used to like school camps. 

Had my little morning walk again today. I noticed trees a long a fence line that have been eaten to a certain height by the sheep. It is like someone has come along with a huge hedge trimmer!

A crow was cackling away in a tree near me as I was resting. I saw a dragonfly as well. The sky was a glorious blue, looking at it through the tops of stubby gum trees was calming in a way. Not too hot here yet today.

A truck happened to drive past on the dirt road today on my way home. Thankfully the driver slowed down so I was not so smothered in dirt and dust. I could see he had a dog in the cab with him, tongue hanging out looking at me. That is the dog with the tongue thing not the driver. The driver waved at me.

[Eagle Ray]

Hi Dools and All

I found the mental image of the fence partially eaten by sheep comical. It made me think of the Shaun the Sheep TV show and the shenanigans that the sheep get up to.

I’m glad the truck driver was kind enough to slow down. Also glad it was the dog with the tongue hanging out 😂 I’ve been on the side of the road where there’s a puddle and a truck’s gone past, soaking me, much to the mirth of onlookers.

Today I walked to the river and sat in the shade of paperbark trees. I listened to the soothing sound of waves rolling onto the shore. On my way home I saw several small blue butterflies 🦋 

[Doolhof]

Hi Eagle Ray, Guest_1055 and ALL reading,

I'm hanging out to be near some water, we have a little water in our dam that is quite black, not quite the same thing sitting there as it is down at the beach or near a flowing stream of water!

There used to be a creek bordered by paperbarks where we would have family picnics. You have brought back fond memories Eagle Ray. The butterflies sound nice.

I had another walk on the dirt road today, it was a bit busy with traffic today for some reason! Cars and trucks kicking up quite the dust storm even though they did slow down for me which I greatly appreciated. 

I pushed myself to go a little further today, up to where the vines are. I was rewarded with the sight of some kangaroos and hares. I sat for a while and enjoyed the view.

Disappointingly I also discovered a pile of dumped furniture! I took photos and sent them to our local town committee. They in turn stated they will contact the council. The furniture had been outside a local dwelling recently. I understand people may struggle to pay dump fees, surely there must be some other way to dispose of furniture rather than leaving it on a dirt road. 

It was good to have a little more energy. Just need to be sure not to push myself too hard too fast!

[Doolhof]

Hi All,

This morning I pushed myself out the door just after dawn for a walk. I told myself I would travel along a different road and go as far as I felt able to walk, remembering I had to return home home again after. I sat on a bank of dirt at the side of the road catching my breath half way through. 

The road was really busy with traffic this morning. I decided against having a lie down on the side of the road so I didn't panic anyone! Ha. Ha. I read old emails on my phone while I sat there to make it look like I was okay to passing motorists.

I saw some sheep. They decided I was really scary and ran for the hills literally! Who knew their little legs could move so fast! They kicked up quite a dust storm as the soil here is so dry amongst the cut down crops.

A couple of kookaburras had a bit of a sing along, so I enjoyed listening to them. The sunrise was very plain due to no cloud cover and the fact I was out a little after dawn so probably missed the early colours in the sky.

[Doolhof]

Hi Everyone,

My walk this morning was more like forcing myself to plod alonga nd keep going rather than enjoying the moment.

That is okay. I eventually took note of what was around me and took pleasure in my environment. I returned home and thanked myself for going out for a walk, getting the fresh air and exercise.