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]

All I could manage today was a walk around the block a little after mid night last night. We walked around to get a better view of some fireworks being let off in the local rec area. On the way down we met up with some people who asked us if we were looking for a dog. They were holding the lead that was attached to a frightened yet large fluffy dog..He was lost....Poor thing. I also worked out for 15 minutes at "Anytime Fitness" mainly on the cross trainer. I was super tired today, so I had trouble with energy...

Hi Matt, that is a bit yuck then ...your dam with the leeches. Hi Mrs D and Elizabeth again and anyone else reading.

[Doolhof]

Hi Everyone,

Yesterday I had very little exercise at all. My Dr has put me on some pills to help lower my cholesterol level. After only 3 days on the pills my body decided that was enough!

I awoke with my heart pounding, had trouble breathing, all my muscles ached, I felt like I couldn't open my eyes I was that exhausted and felt like I was about to die.

My husband asked what was the problem. I told him. He said "that is no good dear. Would you like a glass of water?" Would I like a glass of water! I felt like I needed an ambulance or a Hearst not a glass of beep beep water!

As you can see, I survived! Today I plan on pulling some more metre high dry grass from the fence line and will go for a walk as well. While I am reading or watching t.v. later tonight I might use my little pedal thingy for more exercise.

What I can't do one day,. I will try to do the next day!

A little bit of something is a lot better than a whole lot of nothing. I realise some days it is just too hard, that is okay. We can all try again tomorrow!

By the way, I have stopped taking those pills and will try a plan B to lower the cholesterol level...more exercise and healthier eating!

Cheers all from Dools

[Guest_1055]

Oh you poor thing Mrs D, in regards to the feeling like you needed an ambulance and such. Glad your hubby called you "dear" though.....that's nice.

I have been struggling to do much exercise over the last couple of days. I have felt just so tired... However I will be going to the gym again in about 1 hours time. The person I have been going with encouraged me to go, even if it is only for 15 minutes. I didn't do any exercise yesterday.

Yeah about the high cholesterol level, some of those meds have bad side affects hey. My cholesterol is also a little high. So I have been incorporating healthy fats, but not to much. Such as chia seeds, avocado and raw nuts. Apparently as I have recently found out, eating these healthy fats can help to lower your cholesterol level. And also eating oats and lots of leafy greens.

Anyway I hope you end up going for a walk today Mrs D!

[Elizabeth CP]

Hi Everyone. I can vouch for the effectivness of exercise & healthy eating on Cholesterol. Last time my Cholesterol was checked it had dropped to a healthy level with no medication just exercise (walking) & healthy diet including oats, lots of veg & some healthy fats. Several years ago My husband was given Cholesterol meds but then stopped due to side effects. We went on a diet (the one I've been on lately) & increased our exercise. Follow up tests on my husband showed a significant drop in chol levels so Dools your plan B should work without the horrible side effects of the meds. Your statement 'What I can't do one day,. I will try to do the next day!A little bit of something is a lot better than a whole lot of nothing. I realise some days it is just too hard, that is okay. We can all try again tomorrow! ' should be our motto It is such good advice. No point in beating ourselves up over what we didn't do & giving up totally just leads to more depression,anxiety & negative feelings.

Today I walked with my husband to the hospital for his appointment with speech pathology. It was a bit hot but we did it. The apponitment was good but we now have lots of info, strategies & exercises which I need to reming him about since he can't read the sheets to remind himself what to do. One bit was a bit depressing as she asked him to do something most people would find very easy but he just pulled a funny face in his attempt to follow instructions. The muscles in his face just don't work to enable him to smile or move his lips normally. I know this but it is hard being reminded about what he can't do. At least most of it was positive with strategies to maintain speech & swallowing as much as possible. The walk was good to.

[Guest_1055]

I have returned back home from the gym. To be honest I was feeling reluctant and unmotivated to actually go.

Anyway once inside I worked out on the cross trainer for 20 minutes on level 1, which is the beginner level. I started to feel a bit more positive about 10 minutes into it.

Glad I went now....

Learnt lesson for today: sometimes we do feel unmotivated to exercise, but it is possible once you make the choice to actually do it and carry out your choice well......you may start to actually feel better within yourself somewhere during the exercise or shortly after it.

[Guest_1055]

Hi everyone, when I was reading what Elizabeth wrote it reminded me of something else I read this very morning. Here it is:

I Have Tried and Failed “Giving up is the only sure way to fail.” — Gena Showalter (author) "Maybe you’ve tried to incorporate lifestyle changes before. Maybe you have begun a complete health make-over and it lasted a couple days. Weeks. Months. Then old routines come back. You kick yourself for failing. You feel guilty. You wonder why bother. All I can say to that is: Practice makes perfect. Just because you have tried and failed before does NOT mean you should not try again. I’ll say it again: health is a lifelong endeavor. And as the quote above cites, the ONLY way to truly fail is to give up."

[Guest_1055]

Hi to anyone perhaps reading this.....

The gym again for me today. Totally enjoyed it even though I went by myself. Rode the exercise bike for 7 minutes and the cross trainer for 15 minutes. Also went on some equipment that uses the muscles on the top of your back and your arms. The equipment has pictures on it to inform the user what muscles you will be using. I hope to go and walk on the beach at the end of the week.

Hugs

Shell xx

[Doolhof]

Hi Shell, Elizabeth and all,

It really is wonderful how we can all encourage each other here. One of you mentioned oats for helping to lower cholesterol, my problem is I have a level of gluten intolerance so can't eat oats too often. Thanks for the reminder about the nuts! I have a bucket of walnuts somewhere that still need cracking!

I did manage to go for a walk on one of the days, after dinner. It was a great way to wind down. While I was walking I was thinking of all the blessings I have in my life and considered the different colours that were around me.

Yesterday my mood was very low and the tears were flowing. I found a shady spot in the garden to weed, rake and pick up even more sticks. I decided to try and do squats as I picked up the sticks. If I can keep that up I will have buns of steel. Ha. Ha.

Under the leaves I was finding lots of bugs so I went and grabbed the two chooks we have left and they had a lovely banquet! They are so funny to watch. I gave one of them a cuddle, she didn't really enjoy it very much. At least she didn't poop on me this time!

It is going to be a hot and humid day here. Wish I was a bit closer to that beach you were talking about Shell.

Cheers all, from Dools

[Doolhof]

Hi Everyone,

Just had a thought. Some shopping centres actually have walking groups that go there before the main shops open. That way people can walk and exercise in air conditioned comfort.

For those of you close to a shopping centre with a mall this might be an option.

[Guest_1055]

I am sorry you were feeling very low and teary yesterday Mrs D. I know what that is like. Are you feeling a bit better now today? Here is a gentle hug for you if you would like one....

And that's great you went for a walk. Oh yeah eat the walnuts, do they grow around you then? On a walk I often go with my sister around a water reservoir, there is a grove of macadamia nuts growing there. They are super challenging to crack though.

And they had such a walking group in a shopping centre about 15 minutes drive from me. I think there is a heart foundation walking group also in my area. One might have to be a certain age to join but I cannot be certain of that.

A cheery hello to anybody else reading.....

I visited the gym today and learnt how to use a new piece of equipment. Rode the bike again for 5 minutes and the cross trainer for 15 minutes. It is nice and cool in there too.

Shelley xx