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.

@lioness

@fiesty76 Terrible what Texas is going through All those things you talked about in wrapping pipes outside and one thing I always did in Pa was let your cold water on just a trickle all during this espey at night .In Jan my furnace went out.I had gotten someone out next day he put a new furnace in heat finally yes. Had enough that's why I'm in CA Keep warm We also had a Karosen heater we used

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Thanks for the thumbs up, @lioness! I've spread 35 lbs bird seed on ground feeders and into the hanging bird feeders. Was curious how the birds "knew" when the feeders had been refilled so found this site: https://www.whatbirdsareinmybackyard.com/2020/08/how-do-birds-know-when-you-fill-feeder.html Sometimes, like on these great forums, all we have to do is pose our question, right? Smiles

As you know, Linda, there may be a future move for me from TX to family in CO. Was surprised to hear from daughter that my temps are far lower than hers in Boulder. Counting the hours for a predicted warming trend by week's end. Yes, I do the trickle water trick here, too and so far that along with the open cabinet doors may be saving my water pipes. CA and FL sound like pure heaven right now!

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@fiesty76 That's good so unusual for Texas a friend on Houston has been in a hotel for 5 nights now but today her power is back on Guess she thought she was in Ohio lol Electric plants just weren't meant for that kind of weather

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Just saw this email from McMaster Optimal Aging Portal that I think may confirm what most of you already know and use - 4 Simple Ways to Make Walking More Fun: https://www.mcmasteroptimalaging.org/hitting-the-headlines/detail/hitting-the-headlines/2021/02/16/4-simple-ways-to-make-walking-more-fun

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@johnbishop

Just saw this email from McMaster Optimal Aging Portal that I think may confirm what most of you already know and use - 4 Simple Ways to Make Walking More Fun: https://www.mcmasteroptimalaging.org/hitting-the-headlines/detail/hitting-the-headlines/2021/02/16/4-simple-ways-to-make-walking-more-fun

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And I'll add one of my favorites - Use the phone (with an earplug) to chat with a virtual walking buddy - catch up on what's going on in each others' lives or describe what you are enjoying. Or call a shut-in person and describe your walk (I used to take my walk before I visited my Mom in the hospital and describe what was going on outside her walls.)
Sue

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@johnbishop

Just saw this email from McMaster Optimal Aging Portal that I think may confirm what most of you already know and use - 4 Simple Ways to Make Walking More Fun: https://www.mcmasteroptimalaging.org/hitting-the-headlines/detail/hitting-the-headlines/2021/02/16/4-simple-ways-to-make-walking-more-fun

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Hello John
Thankyou for the link on Walking. I watched the video, which prodded me into remembering that I could use my Smartphone to record my steps, etc. Now, I just have to wait for the snow to melt so I can get back out there!

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@artist01

Hello John
Thankyou for the link on Walking. I watched the video, which prodded me into remembering that I could use my Smartphone to record my steps, etc. Now, I just have to wait for the snow to melt so I can get back out there!

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After many successive days of record setting days below zero while counting myself and my locale very fortunate that we were not part of the ERCOT power grid failure that caused so much grief and damage in my state, I was almost giddy with relief, as was the rest of the state, that temps here had risen; the sun was starting to thaw our uncleared streets and frozen pipes.

The warming and thaw finally made it safe enough to take a walk in our wildflower park. It was pure joy to see others walking in the park as well yesterday afternoon. Some by twos and others in family groups, there were more in the park than I've seen in weeks. Another great and welcomed surprise was seeing for the first time, blooming crocus in the raised planters.

I've never seen our large Home Depot parking lot so filled with vehicles and the same held true for my favorite grocery. People must have had very long waits to check out and I couldn't help but wonder if they were distancing from one another. People were out everywhere along the route home in the small business parks and lines at car washes stretched into the street.

Back home, a young man and his dog were talking to a neighbor in her driveway. The dog was leery of my mask but it was just terrific to welcome the young man to our street and to see his gorgeous yr old copper colored puppy talking with my older neighbor. Truly, what a difference a day makes! Best to all.

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@feisty76. What an absolute joy to read your post this morning! I have tears of joy for you and all your long-suffering Texas friends and neighbors! Glory be. What a long haul it's been for you. It was awesome to read the description of your walk. So very happeee for you!!
Hugs, Laurie

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@fiesty76

After many successive days of record setting days below zero while counting myself and my locale very fortunate that we were not part of the ERCOT power grid failure that caused so much grief and damage in my state, I was almost giddy with relief, as was the rest of the state, that temps here had risen; the sun was starting to thaw our uncleared streets and frozen pipes.

The warming and thaw finally made it safe enough to take a walk in our wildflower park. It was pure joy to see others walking in the park as well yesterday afternoon. Some by twos and others in family groups, there were more in the park than I've seen in weeks. Another great and welcomed surprise was seeing for the first time, blooming crocus in the raised planters.

I've never seen our large Home Depot parking lot so filled with vehicles and the same held true for my favorite grocery. People must have had very long waits to check out and I couldn't help but wonder if they were distancing from one another. People were out everywhere along the route home in the small business parks and lines at car washes stretched into the street.

Back home, a young man and his dog were talking to a neighbor in her driveway. The dog was leery of my mask but it was just terrific to welcome the young man to our street and to see his gorgeous yr old copper colored puppy talking with my older neighbor. Truly, what a difference a day makes! Best to all.

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I'm excited to report that, after 2 weeks of sub-zero, no outdoor walks, my littles being ill, and my own vaccine reaction, I went 11 days without an outdoor walk.
Today was glorious! My grandson wanted to go, it is 29F, and my vaccine aches & headache are fading. We walked, played, climbed in the snow for 1 1/2 hours. We found a teepee made of deadfall brush in the woods near his house and climbed in, on & under it. We waded in knee-deep snow, and found rabbit tracks. He went home tired and happy, and now I'm ready for a cup of tea and a good book.
Life is good.
Sue

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@sueinmn

I'm excited to report that, after 2 weeks of sub-zero, no outdoor walks, my littles being ill, and my own vaccine reaction, I went 11 days without an outdoor walk.
Today was glorious! My grandson wanted to go, it is 29F, and my vaccine aches & headache are fading. We walked, played, climbed in the snow for 1 1/2 hours. We found a teepee made of deadfall brush in the woods near his house and climbed in, on & under it. We waded in knee-deep snow, and found rabbit tracks. He went home tired and happy, and now I'm ready for a cup of tea and a good book.
Life is good.
Sue

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How wonderful! I had the vaccine on Friday and I was out of it with a fever of 103, headaches and fatigue. I skipped breathing exercises Friday. I tried Saturday and didn’t have much luck with my pounding headache. Today was much better!
It’s a beautiful day- 62 and sunny. 😊

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@sueinmn

I'm excited to report that, after 2 weeks of sub-zero, no outdoor walks, my littles being ill, and my own vaccine reaction, I went 11 days without an outdoor walk.
Today was glorious! My grandson wanted to go, it is 29F, and my vaccine aches & headache are fading. We walked, played, climbed in the snow for 1 1/2 hours. We found a teepee made of deadfall brush in the woods near his house and climbed in, on & under it. We waded in knee-deep snow, and found rabbit tracks. He went home tired and happy, and now I'm ready for a cup of tea and a good book.
Life is good.
Sue

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Sounds like a perfect walk, Sue. And summer temperatures! Lol. Just kidding. (Canadian) Awesome to have your grandson joining you. How old is he?
I still haven't ventured outdoors, following our snowfalls. Soon, I hope.
Warm wishes,
Laurie

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