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.

@pollyanne

That 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

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@pollyanne I am so jealous of you living in Maui. I loved our time there and walking on the beach. The beach where we were had nice, compacted sand so it was great for walking, whereas when we went to Kauai the sand was heavy and rough, and you had to trudge through it. Not good for walking at all.
I agree, you have to keep moving. That is key I think.
JK

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@pollyanne

Hello @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.

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Some very good advice @pollyanne ! Think I’ll try some loud music and dance!

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Well it’s Friday again and time for me to report on how Bertha and I made out this week. I didn’t do any walking exercise (much to Berthas chagrin) as I still have difficulty walking. I did how ever go to aqua fitness twice this week and had a great two hours of workout. It’s really strange how well I am able to do anytime in the pool without much problem. Keep trying guys we have two weeks under out belts already,

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Great job beachbum80! I couldn't go out either because of the rain. Just sneaked out for 10 minutes, then it started pouring again. Just walked around the house. Aqua fitness is great exercise. Too bad Bertha couldn't participate 😉

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@beachbum80

Well it’s Friday again and time for me to report on how Bertha and I made out this week. I didn’t do any walking exercise (much to Berthas chagrin) as I still have difficulty walking. I did how ever go to aqua fitness twice this week and had a great two hours of workout. It’s really strange how well I am able to do anytime in the pool without much problem. Keep trying guys we have two weeks under out belts already,

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Great job @beachbum80 . Aqua work outs are just as good for you as walking. I have trouble with them myself and always sink even with 2 sets of wings! You will gain strength as well. It's really good as a guard against osteoporosis. At least it helps.

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@becsbuddy

Some very good advice @pollyanne ! Think I’ll try some loud music and dance!

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Hey, go for it Becky @becsbuddy . Music from the 80's is great to work out to. Lots of beat and energy. I find that music gives me extra energy.

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@beachbum80 Water exercises are great your more bouyant it's easier on your joints I did therapy in the water alot easier

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I walked most days this week. A few days more enthused and faster than others. Yesterday my walking was done at tow big box stores in a nearby town, at 6AM. Walking on those hard cement floors really were painful by the time I finished, though. We have rain and snowstorms coming through today, but may try to get out for a while and smell the fresh air!
Ginger

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This is fun, I'd like to share my smartphone data on walking. I try to walk several days a week, the 6000 recommended steps. I'm trying to walk briskly as was recommended.

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It's been raining for the past few days and it looks like it will be the same next week. So I'm not getting my steps but we need the rain. Normally I would go to big box stores, but my children have forbid me to go there since the stores were overflowing with people stocking up everything. Managed to walk once around the block before it started to rain again. I need some fresh air!

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