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.

Today's walk was a scavenger hunt for seeds in the local park with the family. The boys had to find a pine cone, an acorn and 2 other seeds. The bonus - we discovered that the local wildlife has been visiting, leaving identifiable deer, raccoon, possum, squirrel & rabbit tracks on a yet-to-be-flooded, newly groomed skating rink bed. I was impressed that the 4yo id'd the deer tracks first, and the 2yo could find them after being shown the difference.
We don't walk far or fast, but we learn a lot along the way, and throw in a little running for good measure - which is good for my lungs.
Sue

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@jude07

Congrats on your 11 month accomplishment!! Way to go! Nice that you journaled as well.
My intent was to put together a pic journal of this year as well.
I definitely agree that the enhanced encouragement of the group has been a blessing. Ditto, on the thanks to Becky.
I am conditioning myself to walking longer in 30 some degree temps. Not bad unless the wind bites! Not sure what the winter will, at some point, gift us or what my walks will turn into.
Mall walking is even unpredictable with all of the COVID cases. For now, I am good, just missing talking to people on my walks like I used to do. I just keep my walk for prayer, fresh air and the landscaping beauty.

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Thank you @jude07 for your acknowledgement! Self-discipline in exercising alone is not one of my strengths so meeting this goal so far has been a confidence booster.

I salute you and our other hardier souls for walking despite far colder, inclement conditions than I can muster. Cold air is much harder for me to breathe and I'm not as steady on my feet as I would wish so like you, I've been thinking early walks in our large mall would prove the solution in bad weather but with our hospitals at capacity now, I'm not sure I'll be taking that route either. We'll just have to wait and see and in the meantime make the most of whatever outdoor time we can muster. Take care and thanks again!

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@becsbuddy

Keep going @jude07 ! And walking in 30 degree temps is awful! We’re still in the 40’s with gorgeous sun. Shady spots still have snow so it can be icy—ugh. But getting ready to go outside is half the battle! By the time I get myself bundled up and the dog into his harness and sweater and remember my mask and the leash and my gloves and the doggie pick-up bag and and and, I’m exhausted!

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Your post has me smiling, @becsbuddy, because it reminds me of those two years teaching primary chldren in MN. It seemed we spent half the day undressing and redressing the children as they arrived and left for the day during the frigid winter months.

I give so much credit to those who live in those areas of harsher winter conditions for doing whatever it takes to get outdoors! Bet a lot of our walkers were nodding in absolute agreement with what you posted!

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@sueinmn

Today's walk was a scavenger hunt for seeds in the local park with the family. The boys had to find a pine cone, an acorn and 2 other seeds. The bonus - we discovered that the local wildlife has been visiting, leaving identifiable deer, raccoon, possum, squirrel & rabbit tracks on a yet-to-be-flooded, newly groomed skating rink bed. I was impressed that the 4yo id'd the deer tracks first, and the 2yo could find them after being shown the difference.
We don't walk far or fast, but we learn a lot along the way, and throw in a little running for good measure - which is good for my lungs.
Sue

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My daughter showed us a picture of getting her boys ready yesterday - the toddler lying on the floor screaming because he hates boots, big brother standing over him gently coaxing him to get ready so they could go on their 'venture with Bompa. In these Covid days, every little car trip, and any new scenery has become an adventure to be cherished.
Sue

REPLY
@fiesty76

Your post has me smiling, @becsbuddy, because it reminds me of those two years teaching primary chldren in MN. It seemed we spent half the day undressing and redressing the children as they arrived and left for the day during the frigid winter months.

I give so much credit to those who live in those areas of harsher winter conditions for doing whatever it takes to get outdoors! Bet a lot of our walkers were nodding in absolute agreement with what you posted!

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Last year in WI we had a couple days where it was actually 50 below zero. Our dog is stubborn and doesn’t want to come in until his feet are too cold and you practically have to carry him but he’s 120 lbs and I can’t do that! You could feel the wind blowing through the house. I hope this winter is not that bad.

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Oh, @bustrbrwn22, I'm just smiling as I visualize your efforts to carry in your 120 lb furry love. What an effort that must be!! Sincerely hoping for a milder winter for you both! Smiles

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@fiesty76 . Thanks so much!! I had to lift his hind quarters up today when he just fell
into a lying position without any warning. Thank goodness he wasn’t doing #2. His dr just added another pain killer to his regime after she took an X-ray. She said he was in a lot of pain probably his ACL but too old for surgery. Now why can’t human docs do that?

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@bustrbrwn22

Last year in WI we had a couple days where it was actually 50 below zero. Our dog is stubborn and doesn’t want to come in until his feet are too cold and you practically have to carry him but he’s 120 lbs and I can’t do that! You could feel the wind blowing through the house. I hope this winter is not that bad.

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@bustrbrwn22 50 degrees below and a 120lb dog! Oh my gosh! It gets to freezing and I’m reluctant to go out! My 15 lb dog is a rescue from Texas so I don’t know how he’ll react to the cold and snow. I’m so thrilled to see winter coming!

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@bustrbrwn22

@fiesty76 . Thanks so much!! I had to lift his hind quarters up today when he just fell
into a lying position without any warning. Thank goodness he wasn’t doing #2. His dr just added another pain killer to his regime after she took an X-ray. She said he was in a lot of pain probably his ACL but too old for surgery. Now why can’t human docs do that?

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Oh, bustrbrwn22, Bless both your hearts! Having an aging pet brings with it added concerns. I am so thankful for our wonderful vets who work so hard to keep our older loves as healthy and comfortable as possible. I couldn't agree with you more that I wish docs treating humans could/would be permitted to use more merciful means at end-of-life stages.

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@becsbuddy

@bustrbrwn22 50 degrees below and a 120lb dog! Oh my gosh! It gets to freezing and I’m reluctant to go out! My 15 lb dog is a rescue from Texas so I don’t know how he’ll react to the cold and snow. I’m so thrilled to see winter coming!

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@becsbuddy, Couldn't agree with you more!! We had a glorious mild day up to 71 degrees today and I took great advantage by taking a longer than usual walk at a more distant park that has a stream running through. There were several large pecan trees scattered throughout the park and it was fun watching squirrels finding and burying the nuts...I wonder if they ever really remember where they've hidden their bounty?

Tonight the temps drop into the teens, with more cold predicted for the next several days. Just thinking of the temp drop is enough to make me grouchy! Yes indeedy, winter weather is such a thrill!! LOL

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