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.

@artist01

Thankyou so much for your wonderful post, Lori. And yes, we do have hallways here that I could/should walk, but....! And my suite is too small to do any kind of circuit. I'm really good at excuses, aren't I? I'm determined to get outside, rain or shine, though, and we'll see how I do. Living in Canada, the winters can be challenging for walking, but I'm determined to make a go of it. And Spring is coming! Also, I have a doctor on my case who wants to hear all about my walking. I never should have divulged my plan to her! Lol
Thanks again for your encouragement.
Laurie

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Hi! I live in northern Minnesota and for a number of days now, our high temperatures have bot reached above -10 degrees, so I definitely understand your hesitancy to venture out in the winter, sometimes. I am walking in circles in my house and I find listening to music to be motivating. A possible suggestion😊

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Hi @migizli. Really good idea, walking to music in your home! I can sympathize with you - I know all about cold weather and walking too. I've lived in Winnipeg, Edmonton and Calgary, in Canada - all known for cold snowy winters! Sending you warm wishes for happy, musical walking! Laurie

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@artist01

Hi @migizli. Really good idea, walking to music in your home! I can sympathize with you - I know all about cold weather and walking too. I've lived in Winnipeg, Edmonton and Calgary, in Canada - all known for cold snowy winters! Sending you warm wishes for happy, musical walking! Laurie

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Yep, in WI here. Just outside for

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@jude07

I have to correct my words, it truly is “too cold” to walk outside in these frigid elements. Yes, I “tried” the last two days without getting very far before making a beeline for home. Yesterday, I found myself doing a half hour of floor exercises before learning what it’s like to be a hamster in my own home. After two miles, it was time to call it quits. That may be as good as it gets for this week. I will stay devoted to a daily workout “in home”. Enjoy the big game today, if for no other reason than to watch the commercials!

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@jude07, Oh, dear, something to aspire for: " I will stay devoted to a daily workout “in home”...Daily? I so admire your daily tenacity!

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@artist01, @fiesty76, @jakedduck1, @jude07 Hi Everyone! It’s a balmy -19 this morning. Actually, 4 degrees warmer than yesterday! The sun is coming up through the forest behind me, the sky a brilliant blue and no windchill today as all is calm. The inside thermostat reads 60 degrees. The fire is stoked and poked, hot tea in my hand while I’m snuggled in a blanket thinking of you all in warmer climates! If it wasn’t for Covid, we’d be in Florida...which I hear several times daily from my husband, who HATES winter! We are not like minded in this as I LOVE winter!!
There’s something about the spirit of endurance up here in the north woods that speaks to me. I’m particularly fond of bare trees. Without leaves I can appreciate the beauty of their stature as they stand stoically waiting for spring. Every day I see the critters out foraging for meager pickings of bark, seeds, whatever they can find. They never stop searching and push daily to make it to spring for that first leaf, flower, newly forming pine cones... Only the hardiest survive the brutal winter.
Yesterday I spent the morning with the Connect community. The afternoon was devoted to making valentines to send to friends and family this week. And I still managed to put on 5 miles by walking in the house during phone calls to friends or reading while walking. It was a productive day!
I’m encouraged by all of the discussions on walking, positivity, gardening, Covid, transplants and so much more. What a wonderful helping community we have with Mayo Connect.
Ok, time to go ‘take on the day’!

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You definitely have connected to the frigid romance of the Northern environment and your description leaves me in a more peaceful place as I settle in for another indoors day. I will recall your words as I exercise today. Thank you!!!!!

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@artist01

Aaarrgh! Lori, I just spent 15 minutes typing a lonnngg response to you about my wheelchair days, and my cell phone screen froze. I lost it all! I'll try again once I recover. Maybe you received my partial response? That would be so awesome. Let me know?
X0 Laurie p.s. your post was so good for my soul!!

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@artist01 You really must be a talented artist! You typed a long letter on your iPhone! And you live in cold, snowy Canada! Took me ages to get out of bed because it was only 11 degrees outside. The sun finally came out so the dog and I could take our walk. I’m so happy to hear all these cheerful voices each morning—we make a great walking group!

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@becsbuddy

@artist01 You really must be a talented artist! You typed a long letter on your iPhone! And you live in cold, snowy Canada! Took me ages to get out of bed because it was only 11 degrees outside. The sun finally came out so the dog and I could take our walk. I’m so happy to hear all these cheerful voices each morning—we make a great walking group!

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Hi Becky. Hope you and your pooch got out for a nice brisk walk in the frigid air. I just completed my 6th day of walking. Very sunny, but cold and breezy. I beat yesterday's time by one minute. lol
Just baby steps, starting out - 15 minutes today! Wow, eh?

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@artist01

Hi Becky. Hope you and your pooch got out for a nice brisk walk in the frigid air. I just completed my 6th day of walking. Very sunny, but cold and breezy. I beat yesterday's time by one minute. lol
Just baby steps, starting out - 15 minutes today! Wow, eh?

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@artist01 Way to go, Laurie!! 15 minutes today is awesome! Recollect 6 days ago and think how far you’ve come in that short period of time! A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. You’re going to need retreads on your shoes in no time!!

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@loribmt

@artist01 Way to go, Laurie!! 15 minutes today is awesome! Recollect 6 days ago and think how far you’ve come in that short period of time! A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. You’re going to need retreads on your shoes in no time!!

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Just heading to Canadian Tire to get retreads on my shoes! lol

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