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.

jude07 | @jude07 | Apr 5, 2020

In reply to @becsbuddy "Hey, everyone. How are you doing with walking/exercise? With this ‘stay in place’ order, at least..." + (show)

Yes, gorgeous day! Just finished my 2+ mile walk. I plan to work in my yard this afternoon and get some Vitamin D as well - the warmth of the sun is enriching to my soul as well. Have a good day, all!

Jane | @darlingtondoll | Apr 5, 2020

In reply to @jakedduck1 "@darlingtondoll Is my piece in the mail? Jake" + (show)

I eat a piece of my chocolate cake every day for breakfast.😜

JK | @contentandwell | Apr 5, 2020

In reply to @becsbuddy "Hey, everyone. How are you doing with walking/exercise? With this ‘stay in place’ order, at least..." + (show)

@becsbuddy I am hurting today, I think I may have done too much yesterday. I also didn’t sleep well so I’m exhausted. Hopefully I’ll be able to at least ride my bike tonight or follow an exercise video.

@darlingtondoll I have a piece of dark chocolate every morning after breakfast. Some days I have a second piece later too. I’m making up for years of not being able to eat chocolate because they caused migraines.
JK

Leonard | @jakedduck1 | Apr 5, 2020

In reply to @darlingtondoll "I eat a piece of my chocolate cake every day for breakfast.😜" + (show)

@darlingtondoll
Sure, rub it in!!! If you have any crumbs send them my way. Messy doesn’t bother me.
Jake

Leonard | @jakedduck1 | Apr 5, 2020

In reply to @contentandwell "@becsbuddy I am hurting today, I think I may have done too much yesterday. I also..." + (show)

@contentandwell
No wonder you’re not feeling well, that dark chocolate will do it every time. I’m surprised it hasn’t finished you off by now.
Jake

Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Apr 5, 2020

In reply to @becsbuddy "Hey, everyone. How are you doing with walking/exercise? With this ‘stay in place’ order, at least..." + (show)

HI - I feel like I'm doing pretty well - have been able to walk every day, even though we fluctuate between 60F & showers and temps from 90-100F with high humidity. We're in a closed community with wide, sparsely traveled roads so 3-4 of us can walk while maintaining proper distance. Last night, after a mostly rainy day, I was a bit short of steps, so I turned on the tunes and danced for 10 minutes.
My neighbor has begun a really fun challenge - an Easter egg hunt. She explained it on our private FB page, then she hid eggs in our little RV community - each has a slip inside on which to write your name, and deposit in a container on her porch step. Next Saturday during "patio coffee" where we sit outdoors and visit across yards she will draw names for 3 small prizes. There is also a "golden egg" that will get a special prize. You should see the formerly non-walkers out looking in planters, under bushes - all over - amazing what's fun when you're confined. I think we'll need to hide more eggs to keep people walking all week.
Now I'm going to post my roadrunner pic over on Visual Escapes...
Sue

Leonard | @jakedduck1 | Apr 5, 2020

In reply to @jude07 "Yes, gorgeous day! Just finished my 2+ mile walk. I plan to work in my yard..." + (show)

@becsbuddy
I thought you lived in cold weather. What do you consider gorgeous weather, what temperature?
It’s only 56° here and we had about six or eight drops of what they call rain. Tomorrow there’s a flood warning get that.
In this drought ridden desert, get real. A preschooler could give a better weather report.
Jake

fiesty76 | @fiesty76 | Apr 5, 2020

In reply to @becsbuddy "Hey, everyone. How are you doing with walking/exercise? With this ‘stay in place’ order, at least..." + (show)

Completed my 15 week of 3x's/wk walks yesterday...Not a marathon or even something to boast about but I'm not self-disciplined about exercising on my own, so keeping to my schedule is building some self-esteem...not at an all time high right now because of the isolation. Exercising with a group makes the effort party time. So this cyber group comes close to a cyber party and keeps my focus on the goal. Thanks for starting it, Becky!

pollyanne | @pollyanne | Apr 5, 2020

In reply to @sueinmn "HI - I feel like I'm doing pretty well - have been able to walk every..." + (show)

What a lovely idea. Have fun

pollyanne | @pollyanne | Apr 5, 2020

In reply to @fiesty76 "Completed my 15 week of 3x's/wk walks yesterday...Not a marathon or even something to boast about..." + (show)

Yes, it was a great idea especially for those that are not very self motivated. Sometimes it is an effort. I could not find any energy yesterday. I have been having a lot of trouble with my lack of energy lately but I know that a lot of it is my medication. I am walking this morning come hell or highwater.