Connect
Let’s Go Walking! Join me for a virtual walking support group
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!
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Just Want to Talk Support Group.
Connect
I will give this a try. Ann
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
4 Reactions@azandcc4me- Welcome to Connect. I'm so glad that you are going to give this a chance! Start slowly and don't pressure yourself to do more than you can at this point. Let us know how you are doing!
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactions@becsbuddy Which steroid are you on? I am on 5mg of prednisone, daily, but I had no idea that reducing that would make me more tired than I already am. I really hate being on it and I keep asking my transplant team when I can come off of it but I suspect it's going to be never.
I went to my health club today and did pool jogging, yesterday I did the gym. I am really beginning to wonder if I should continue to go to the gym. I am very careful, wiping down the equipment both before and after I use it, and I am not very close to others there. It very rarely is crowded, generally only has a few other people at the most when I am there, sometimes only one other! It's a tough decision.
Last night when we were watching the news there was a doctor on who was not Italian but apparently has been involved with things there. He said since there are not enough resources to treat everyone they are having to choose who to treat and since the older people have less time to live they get treated last! That's not a good feeling at all.
JK
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI have been reading all the posts and all I can say is good for everyone. It is not easy to keep to a walking routine when you are not used to it and have health issues. In some cases it can be a mental problem more than a physical one. Right now, for me I think it is mental because I am used to exercising but having been away for many weeks it is like starting at the beginning for me. Having been put on Lyrica, I am finding it a worse struggle to get going although I know I will once I get back to my usual routine. I am not walking as far as I normally do and don't forget that our bodies need recovery time. It is not a good idea to push yourself everyday. Either have some rest days or at least walk shorter distances on alternate days. I noticed that Lioness is taking rest days and that is a good idea. When I was much younger, I was a fitness instructor and I often had to push myself for weeks on end. I found that my performance went down and when I took a rest my body responded well and my energy was much higher.
I am now off for my 2nd walk since arriving home from Tahiti a week ago. I am thankful that we got home in a healthy state and so far no virus. I am 80 next month and my husband is 87. We need to be careful.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsHi, @contentandwell . I’m also on 5mg. It’s kind of strange, though, because the fatigue is not everyday. Maybe 3-4 out of 7. Just depressing. I also heard about Italy’s health crisis. Frightening. I’m going to PM you
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI’d sure better not complain @pollyanne! I’m so used to getting out everyday, but with my new rescue dog, it’s harder. I usually have to take 2 walks—one for him and one for me. He’s 15 and is just getting used to the grass and freedom! By the time I got home to go for MY walk, I had to hurry to my dental appointment. Now I’m home and we’re both just sitting on the sofa. And, I think it wants to snow. 😩
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsThat is so hard to have to deal with the weather. I have the opposite here in Maui but for several months in the summer I find it too hot to walk. I have to go earlier and earlier which I guess is the way it is for a lot of the states. At least you got out with your dog, so you did do something. Don't be hard on yourself because you can't do everything. You had the dentist. I watched a documentary recently on aging and looking at people who are in their 90's or over a 100. Dick Van Dyke was one of them and they all said the same thing. KEEP MOVING. I met Dick Van Dyke once years ago in England. He had run out of gas and was asking for help by the roadside. My Father pushed his car with his car to the nearest gas station. I wonder if he remembers. LOL
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsGlad you returned from your trip healthy!
And thank you for the pointers about considering rest and building stamina as we go along the way. I'd set my goal for 3x's/week to develop the habit and thus far have managed to do my Tues/Thurs &Sat walks as planned. Consistency with exercise is a challenge for me so developing the self-discipline muscle is as important to me as the good feelings of having done the walks.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsThat is one of the problems with social medicine @contentandwell . There isn't enough to go round although they don't seem to be doing a very good job in this country either with little testing available. I've lived with social medicine in 2 different countries and although it is great that everyone is covered it certainly has it's drawbacks. My daughter in Canada had to wait 3 months for an MRI after surgery for a broken neck. I do think though that the elderly tend to be left till last in every system. All the more reason to take plenty of precautions if you are over 60!
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsHello @fiesty76 and everyone
Consistency is so important because that is how you see the most benefits. I do think it is good to keep moving in some way. Just one other thought, I know we are talking about walking but swimming or water exercises would serve the same purpose for those that like the water more than land. I prefer the land myself. Also, if the weather is bad and holds you back how about putting on some music with energy and dancing round the room. I have done that at times and it is surprising how arobic that can be. Just as good as walking. Maybe that would work for @becsbuddy at the moment. Or you could use waltz music if you want something more gentle. How about some Wagner and The Blue Danube? My Mother used to dance around the house and she lived to be 97.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 Reactions