Let’s Go Walking! Join me for a virtual walking support group

Posted by Becky, Volunteer Mentor @becsbuddy, Feb 19, 2020

Many of you living with cancer or an autoimmune disease, like me, deal with daily fatigue. You know that exercise is so important to your health, but it’s so hard. There’s always an excuse: it’s too cold or hot, it’s going to rain or it’s raining, or it’s snowy and icy, or I just don’t want to. I, too, have all these excuses, but I have a new rescue dog who wants to go out and who doesn’t care about my excuses! And I’ve got traction devices for my boots.Now I just need a walking group who will keep me accountable. People who say, ‘let’s go for a walk.'

And I thought: What about my virtual friends on MayoClinicConnect?

Mayo Clinic has an easy 12-week walking program to get us started! Here’s the link:
- Get walking with this 12-week walking schedule https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/get-walking-with-this-12-week-walking-schedule/

So let’s form a virtual walking group. We can agree to walk every day and encourage each other through Connect. We can walk outdoors, in a mall, or in the red center, or in the hallways of our apartment building.

Who’s in? Who’s going to join me?

Come on, Let’s Go Walking!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Just Want to Talk Support Group.

@ellens

I just leave the parka hanging by the front door. I noticed the other day that my Sorel pacs are also sitting under the parka. My snow shovel is still on the front porch. What's the point of moving them? I don't mind winter if we're not in some Arctic vortex. We were spared that last winter but, on the other hand, we had a Big Snowstorm Thanksgiving weekend and the city shut down for a couple of days. Sidewalks stayed 4" above the concrete. Walking in the street was the thing to do. I still despise hot weather (like 90+ degrees). The big plows were saviors--even they had a tough time for a while. You can generally dress for the cold and I have some high-powered winter clothes, but in summer you can't run around naked even if that were permissable.

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@ellens.. I'm reading your post and visualizing cool weather. It's almost 4 pm here and 90°. Send us poor folks in the west some fall weather, no need for snow, we need to chill!

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@mayofeb2020

@ellens.. I'm reading your post and visualizing cool weather. It's almost 4 pm here and 90°. Send us poor folks in the west some fall weather, no need for snow, we need to chill!

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@ellens I wish for some of the east cooler weather I came from Pa and live on CA now but I actually loved the winter except when I had to drive on it for work To hot here to do anything

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@mayofeb2020

@ellens.. I'm reading your post and visualizing cool weather. It's almost 4 pm here and 90°. Send us poor folks in the west some fall weather, no need for snow, we need to chill!

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Here it comes, WHOOOOOSH!

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I'm sorry it's so hot where you are. During my first marriage, husband and I went to a field school for archaeology in AZ. At least it was in the White Mountains but it could get pretty hideous during the day under the relentless sun. Montana was hot too, even in the mountain towns. I was totally prepared for the Air-Conditioned City. I'm in a neighborhood where I can walk to get necessities; other than that, the plows do get after the streets and the heavily-trafficked ones are kept pretty clear. I'm even just 4 blocks from one of the two very large hospitals so I could walk there if it were absolutely necessary. I moved here in June 2018 and in Sept 2018 I had my first (and only, I hope) kidney stone. I was so grateful that I only had to bomb down 4 blocks in my car to the ER! We are the medical center for Northern Minn and helicopters are constantly coming and going over my hillside house and they don't bother me at all. I just say, "Stay safe."

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@lioness

@fiesty76 I do understand as mine is getting bad at times. I can't remember names and whatsome one tells me just a minute ago but I put apps on a new cell phone yesterday and called to have it activated , I guess our minds are just programmed to do things we like to do our school days of programs still work . That's what they say short term memory goes first but long term memory last I saw it in the nursing homes with alzheimers and dementia patients as other nurses can attess to We would have carperters hammer the rails or housekeepers clean there rooms or hallways. But as long as we can still keep ourselves busy ,, walking and hobbies we can be happy That's what my Mother was happy all the time in her little world. I had my husband and her in the same nursing home I worked in at one time , she use to keep the nurses in stitches and every night come with us all on our break. Those where fond memories . Im sorry didn't mean to go on like this . Guess it's just the times we are in . Be well today

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@lioness, Oh, don't mention cell phones! Kudoes to You for putting on new apps for yours!!! Mine is activated..an achievement in itself! lol but I am soo frustrated with my 1st android supposedly "stupid friendly cell" that I'm ready to bash it against a wall. Can't keep the screen lighted long enough to read the apps icons page. Will be calling a provided phone number today. There is a utube site with mini-lessons, easy enough to follow but doesn't address my issue. A friend suggested that the "settings" need an adjustment...or I Do!! very big grin (vbg)

My dad and I were always thick as thieves. After retirement, when he went missing for 3 days and nights, it was one of the most dreadful, fearful experiences of my life. He was found by a ranching foreman 250+ miles away. Parked at a cattle tank, trying to fish, using a coat hanger from the car trunk. Luckily, he was found. He had suffered a massive stroke. At first he was aware enough to know that something was terribly wrong. That was a heart bursting but thankfully brief time for us. He was a role model for cheerfulness and kindness to others and also had a keen sense of humor. With subsequent strokes, his sense of humor intensified to the point that he had everyone who cared for him in the nursing home and us in tear streaming laughter. Staff remembered my mom for her constant care of him and when I hired one staff to later care for my mom at home, she continued to share some of my dad's hilarious comments.

Thank you for your nursing care of others in nursing homes. Nurses are among the best of all professionals; you are the first and most constant on the scene in your care of patients depending on someone for help.

I am glad you have smiling memories of that time for your family and also that you provided me a chance to "walk back" my recall of the laughter that can also accompany times of serious concerns for the welfare of our seriously ill loved ones.

Perhaps we'll be "forgiven" for going a bit off topic on this walking forum for our reminiscing. However, smiles can make a big difference in attitude as we continue to cope during this time as we support one another going forward. Stay safe and well.

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@ellens

I just leave the parka hanging by the front door. I noticed the other day that my Sorel pacs are also sitting under the parka. My snow shovel is still on the front porch. What's the point of moving them? I don't mind winter if we're not in some Arctic vortex. We were spared that last winter but, on the other hand, we had a Big Snowstorm Thanksgiving weekend and the city shut down for a couple of days. Sidewalks stayed 4" above the concrete. Walking in the street was the thing to do. I still despise hot weather (like 90+ degrees). The big plows were saviors--even they had a tough time for a while. You can generally dress for the cold and I have some high-powered winter clothes, but in summer you can't run around naked even if that were permissable.

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@ellens, One of the things I so appreciated from our years in Duluth was the ability of the city to clear the heavy snowfall as quickly as they do. In my area, a light snowfall closes schools because we lack that equipment...I might also add, people here how no clue about how to drive in snowy, icy weather. And yes, I was also very impressed how families just layered up and all went out in winter despite the snow accumulations. I am though taken aback at your suggestion that running around naked isn't a good idea on those incredibly hot days....are absolutely sure about this???? lol

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@fiesty76 Last post just felt they need but did my exercises and today feel better do wall Ng after while it's to early for me having coffee now Glad for good memories for both of us Now go walk

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@fiesty76

@ellens, One of the things I so appreciated from our years in Duluth was the ability of the city to clear the heavy snowfall as quickly as they do. In my area, a light snowfall closes schools because we lack that equipment...I might also add, people here how no clue about how to drive in snowy, icy weather. And yes, I was also very impressed how families just layered up and all went out in winter despite the snow accumulations. I am though taken aback at your suggestion that running around naked isn't a good idea on those incredibly hot days....are absolutely sure about this???? lol

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@fiesty76. Only in your house fiesty

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@fiesty76

@ellens, One of the things I so appreciated from our years in Duluth was the ability of the city to clear the heavy snowfall as quickly as they do. In my area, a light snowfall closes schools because we lack that equipment...I might also add, people here how no clue about how to drive in snowy, icy weather. And yes, I was also very impressed how families just layered up and all went out in winter despite the snow accumulations. I am though taken aback at your suggestion that running around naked isn't a good idea on those incredibly hot days....are absolutely sure about this???? lol

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Wellll, maybe I'm not absolutely sure. Running around naked in one's own house should be fine. My point is that in hot weather a person can't dress for it to be comfortable and even being naked is usually not enough to cool off. AC is the only thing that has a chance of working. I've been in hot weather sitting in front of a window AC and was still uncomfortable. This was in Montana, believe in or not!

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@lioness

@fiesty76. Only in your house fiesty

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Oh, Darn it all, @lioness, This? after I just spent an hour choosing which hat, sunglasses pr, and mask I'd don..figured no one could identify me on my "coming out naked day". Shoot, Linda, at least it was fun choosing the Best incognito gear!

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