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]

I am ever so sorry you are struggling Matt. May you start to feel better real soon.

And that is great you are walking. All the movement in the pool just sounds nice and calming, the way you word it. I sometimes go to the local ocean baths, and just float on my back in the cool water. I can float for a fair amount of time. As I am floating I stare up into the very late evening sky, and ever so slowly I notice stars coming out or the sun going down. It is truly beautiful.

Anyway I am glad you have some sort of routine happening there, as I think it helps when we are struggling.

Much kindness to you now

Shell x

[Elizabeth CP]

Hi Matt, Shell & Dools & anyone else reading this thread for motivation/inspiration.

Matt I'm pleased you have found a routine of walking in & out of the pool combined with meditation which works for you. Good luck I hope things improve soon.

Shell, You are doing so well pushing yourself to work out at the gym even when things such as your anxious feelings today or the inappropriate reaction of the staff member earlier. It is easy when things are going well but you have shown you have the mental strength to keep going when it is hard & you are reaping the rewards. Give yourself a pat on the back.

Today I went to my daughters & did a short walk with my grandkids. It was too hot to stay out long. After coming home I walked to the steps but only did them once as it was still warm.

[Guest_1055]

Aw gee thanks Elizabeth, that is kind of you to say what you said re. me going to the gym. I feel much encouraged by your words there. Happy tears...

And that's special spending your time walking with your grandchildren. It's great! Maybe it will be cooler tomorrow for you, though I don't know what the weather forecast is for down there. Have a good day tomorrow!

xx

[Guest_1055]

Hi all,

I have not long returned home from the beach. Yeah I know it is late, it's around 11:45pm. But after I read that Matt was doing all that stuff in the pool, well it inspired me to go on out to the ocean baths, which is right along side a well known beach in my area.

It was so breezy and less populated by people at the time we went out. Swimming in the water was just heavenly and refreshing. I floated a while looking up at the few stars that were poking around clouds. I also noticed the full moon. The waves were a bit rough in the ocean itself, so they were coming in and actually going over the outside wall of the furthest pool. I was in the one closet to the beach itself, so it is safer. I swam breast stroke halfway and back a couple of times and just walked in the water as well.The baths are lit up at night time by a large dim light, so one can see the water. My son went with me.

Keep up the good work everybody!

[Guest_1055]

Hello,

Well today my exercise was walking and walking in the good old Westfield shopping centre. I was given a myers gift card for Christmas. So once I entered into the centre, I made my way to jb hi fi first, because the person I went with wanted to look in there. After our time there, we walked to Myers, which was a bit of a distance from jbhi . Once we entered the store, we headed for the kitchen ware/ pots and pans section. Which happens to be one of my favourite sections.i

[Guest_1055]

Oops hit the post button by mistake....

Anyway I was looking for a large salad bowl and a utensil holder. The utensil holder we have at home is now very much over flowing with items packed in so tight it is a challenge to get anything out without say a large serving spoon tumbling out.

We walked for quite a while around myers, and up and down the escalators a couple of times. Once we finished...And I didn't end up purchasing anything, we walked back to the car.

It was so..so much cooler in there too!

[Doolhof]

Dear Shelley,

Hello dear lady. You have not upset me at all. I am very pleased that you find my comments funny. I try and use humour to make life less stressful for myself. The last few days I have been working hard on my "Thoughts, Beliefs and Expectations".

Friday I was totally exhausted and struggled to do much of anything and yesterday was just busy, so little time to chat here.

I've just noticed I have come into this communication on page 26, so will skip to 27 shortly!

Good on you and your friend for encouraging yo to enter the gym and start exercising. To me, tears are healing, a release and exercise is good for us on so many levels.

Well done to you Shelley.

Cheers from Mrs. Dools

[Doolhof]

Good Morning Everyone,

I am very encouraged by everyone's posts here. I do love the idea of being in water. We are a distance from the beach here. I used to love moonlit walks along the beach, a paddle and maybe even a swim with one eye out for creepy crawlers. Having the baths sounds wonderful Shell.

Matt, you have encouraged me to try and return to the pool to do my walking and hydrotherapy!

Elizabeth, a short walk is better than no walk! Being with the grand children would have been a treat I am sure.

Yesterday I pushed myself out the door and went for my hill walk again. I had a tail wind on the way and a very strong head wind on the way back. At least the trip back was almost minus flies! They had trouble with their landing capabilities due to the strong wind!

After visiting a different Dr as mine is on holidays, I now have an inhaler. It is amazing how much difference that has made to my breathing. I also crushed up some eucalyptus leaves and breathed them in before my walk...cleared my sinus and blocked nose better than any medication has so far!

Certainly makes exercise a lot easier when I am not struggling to breathe! And yes, I have been chasing up answers to my breathing issues for decades. I was usually told I was just unfit. While watching T.V. I saw a lady crushing up gum leaves and boiling them into a poultice to help a person in the bush with Asthma who did not have their inhaler.

Happy walking/exercise and finding a sense of peace to you all,

Cheers from Mrs. Dools

[Elizabeth CP]

Hi Dools, I hope the inhaler continues to help your breathing. Good on you for doing your walking. Yesterday was ridiculously busy. I cIleaned all the ceilings & exposed beams in the living areas & kitchen after sanding the beams on Friday. I had to go out in the afternoon but did more after tea. I eventually stopped at 9.30pm & then showered before packing for my husband to go away for 5 days. My arms feel like jelly & I am still exhausted. I couldn't sleep in because we had church at 9 then drove to the camp to drop off my husband. On the way back we stopped off at a beach & went for a walk on the sand with my daughter. The weather was pleasantly cool so it was relaxing. Tonight I will try and have an early night so I can paint as much as possible before it heats up.

[1113]

Peaceful morning all,

Thank you all, for your kinds words and support. I am forever in appreciation of kindness.

I apologize for my lack of socialism "a political and economic theory of social organization which advocates that the means of production, distribution, and exchange should be owned or regulated by the community as a whole."

This will improve as my mental health does. Peace. I am aware of MY faults.

Atm walking is the only pleasure I have.

I am so blessed to be part of your walking group. Kind, caring and open to helping the needs of others. Truly, you are all legends.

Im still walking every day...........3 times a day now to quicken my recovery.

I have found my calling, I am so blessed to be apart of a growing and ever changing community that has the worlds mental health interests at heart. This is my vision too.

I will pop back in..here..next week. Update you all on my recovery.

Enjoy your walking, i certainly do😀

Peace

Matt.