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.

@contentandwell

@pollyanne. I like my health club because it’s the only one that has a pool other than a Y. The Y has classes but you have to sign up for them and pay for the session. At my club that’s all included in the membership fee, except for a few things that have a very low teacher-member ratio.
There is no extra fee for yoga and regular Pilates so I’ve tried them recently. They are both more difficult than I expected and they work your core so much that if I have eaten anything within the last couple of hours I get very sick feeling. I do plan to try again when the club reopens though and I think I will pay the extra to do Pilates Reformer. I did that before and it was easier for me than regular Pilates.
When we were in Maui our condo was on a beach that I think was called sugar beach. It was a great beach for walking and there were never many people there.
JK

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I agree, a good gym is great. Sugar beach is down at the other end of the island from where we are. The beach nearest us gets really busy. Today they closed the pools where we live which I am pleased about. It didn't make sense to have groups gathering. I did a shorter walk today as I didn't seem to have the energy. I hope I am ok. It is a bit worrying at the moment if I don't feel 100%. Pilates is good but I did make myself feel much worse when I tried it. I think you need to start very slowly.

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@pollyanne

I agree, a good gym is great. Sugar beach is down at the other end of the island from where we are. The beach nearest us gets really busy. Today they closed the pools where we live which I am pleased about. It didn't make sense to have groups gathering. I did a shorter walk today as I didn't seem to have the energy. I hope I am ok. It is a bit worrying at the moment if I don't feel 100%. Pilates is good but I did make myself feel much worse when I tried it. I think you need to start very slowly.

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Sometimes our bodies remind us we need a day to rest. No prescribed plan is for seven days a week. Enjoy some down time.

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@contentandwell

@pollyanne. I like my health club because it’s the only one that has a pool other than a Y. The Y has classes but you have to sign up for them and pay for the session. At my club that’s all included in the membership fee, except for a few things that have a very low teacher-member ratio.
There is no extra fee for yoga and regular Pilates so I’ve tried them recently. They are both more difficult than I expected and they work your core so much that if I have eaten anything within the last couple of hours I get very sick feeling. I do plan to try again when the club reopens though and I think I will pay the extra to do Pilates Reformer. I did that before and it was easier for me than regular Pilates.
When we were in Maui our condo was on a beach that I think was called sugar beach. It was a great beach for walking and there were never many people there.
JK

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My daughter has a vacation home in England, she told me that in England pilates is a preferred treatment for back pain. I used the reformer a few times in my PT. It felt good because it really stretches the spine and decompress the discs. She has a reformer at home too and she has been skyping her lessons with her instructor. Too bad I live 60 miles from her so I can't use that.

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@1nan

Sometimes our bodies remind us we need a day to rest. No prescribed plan is for seven days a week. Enjoy some down time.

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Thank you , Nancy. I am a silent follower of this walking group. I needed to hear your reminder, (permission) about taking day off and getting some down time.
I am going to be looking into these discussions during my online time this afternoon. I thought I'd share them here.

Visual Escapes and Daily Inspirations: Share Yours
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/visual-escapes-and-daily-inspirations-share-yours/

My plans to lessen the stress of Self imposed quarantine
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/my-plans-to-lessen-the-stress-of-self-imposed-quarantine/

Music Helps Me
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/music-helps-me/

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@contentandwell

@johnbishop I did the exercises yesterday at 11:30, do you know if these are the same? They were pretty good but not quite as challenging as I would like. That sounds as I’m in way better shape than I am, but I had been going to the gym three times a week before being stuck in. Anything is better than nothing though. I’ve been doing some exercises that were given to me by my physical therapist that include planks and bridges because those are good for your core and my core needs help. I’m also doing balance exercises, they are recommended if you have osteoporosis.
I wish my health club was part of the silver sneakers network so I could get a discount.
JK

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@contentandwell, sorry I didn't see the one yesterday. I assume they would be different but I'm not sure. I just purchased a Sand Dune Stepper for doing walking in place and other leg and balance type exercises. I'm really enjoying watching the boob tube or listening to tunes while walking in my pretend sand dunes. https://www.sanddunestepper.com/

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Hey all, looks like Mayo Clinic sports experts just gave everyone here the thumbs up and a gold star. You've been doing exactly what the experts recommend. Well done.

- Importance of home exercise while being isolated https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/importance-of-home-exercise-while-being-isolated/

What's your favorite exercise in the house?

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@johnbishop

@contentandwell, sorry I didn't see the one yesterday. I assume they would be different but I'm not sure. I just purchased a Sand Dune Stepper for doing walking in place and other leg and balance type exercises. I'm really enjoying watching the boob tube or listening to tunes while walking in my pretend sand dunes. https://www.sanddunestepper.com/

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@johnbishop That device is an interesting concept. I will be interested to hear how it works for you in a few weeks, after you have had several sessions with it!
Ginger

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@gingerw

@johnbishop That device is an interesting concept. I will be interested to hear how it works for you in a few weeks, after you have had several sessions with it!
Ginger

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@gingerw I've used it about 3 days now for 2 to 3 15 minute sessions a day. I would do one 15 minute session with my heels on the high side and then another with my heels on the low side. I have a raised walker in front of it that I can grab or hold if I need it for balance but I try to do it hands free which means I have to step a little slower. What's great about it is it doesn't take up much room and it's lightweight at 12 1/2 pounds.

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@colleenyoung

Hey all, looks like Mayo Clinic sports experts just gave everyone here the thumbs up and a gold star. You've been doing exactly what the experts recommend. Well done.

- Importance of home exercise while being isolated https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/importance-of-home-exercise-while-being-isolated/

What's your favorite exercise in the house?

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Thank you @colleenyoung , it’s good to know that we’re on the right track!

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@rosemarya

Thank you , Nancy. I am a silent follower of this walking group. I needed to hear your reminder, (permission) about taking day off and getting some down time.
I am going to be looking into these discussions during my online time this afternoon. I thought I'd share them here.

Visual Escapes and Daily Inspirations: Share Yours
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/visual-escapes-and-daily-inspirations-share-yours/

My plans to lessen the stress of Self imposed quarantine
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/my-plans-to-lessen-the-stress-of-self-imposed-quarantine/

Music Helps Me
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/music-helps-me/

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@rosemarya Hi Rosemary - I too am a "silent" follower, because here in Texas I am a member of a daily walking group. We have usually followed a 6-day schedule, with some people choosing to take additional days off as their health and bodies demand. Our usual day off is Sunday, but this week it was today -- we just had our first significant rainfall since January 1st, so a good excuse to rest.
Sue

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