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.

Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Apr 19, 2020

It hit 100 here today after starting out at 80 with 90% humidity, so it took 3 shorter trips to get my walk in. Bonus! my husband decided to join me for the last short walk a little while ago. Tomorrow is going to be a hot one again, so we'll walk early and late. It was even too hot this afternoon to sew on my patio.
Sue

lioness | @lioness | Apr 19, 2020

@sueinmn To hot for me . I,ll walk in morning stay in when its 85 and above . You didn't faint?

Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Apr 19, 2020

@lioness We are acclimated to the heat because it comes on gradually in the spring. Just limit time in the sun, do the hard work in the mornings and make sure to stay hydrated. On dry or breezy days, the laundry dries in a flash - handwashed my mask this morning and it was dry in 45 min on the porch rail! Also keep the house about 82-83f so it's not such a shock going in and out.
I'm dreading going home to the 40s and 50s and rain, because that's when I ache.
Sue

lioness | @lioness | Apr 19, 2020

@sueinmn I know what you mean .It's been in the 60,s here and n
My arthritis kicked up I've noticed when the barometer and due point are high that makes me ache also .Can't win for losing on this

Leonard | @jakedduck1 | Apr 19, 2020

I finished up my walk when I got home from donating platelets today although it was only about 2500 steps which isn’t very impressive right now but at least I got out.
Good news on the blood donation front at least at the Red Cross I go to. They have an over abundance so that you only took half of what they normally take. I hope one day they can figure out how to store platelets longer than five days.
Jake

lioness | @lioness | Apr 19, 2020

@jakedduck1 That's good news you at least got some walking in

Becky, Volunteer Mentor | @becsbuddy | Apr 20, 2020

Hi all! Keep up the good work! Here’s some inspiration/motivation for the day.

Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Apr 20, 2020

In reply to @becsbuddy "Hi all! Keep up the good work! Here’s some inspiration/motivation for the day." + (show)

@becsbuddy When walking, I do not have my phone out, nor earbuds in playing music or chatter. Opening your eyes to the world around you, your senses to smells, sounds, all work to uplift you. A long time ago, someone told me, "Walking is moving meditation". Yep, I believe it!
Ginger

jude07 | @jude07 | Apr 20, 2020

In reply to @gingerw "@becsbuddy When walking, I do not have my phone out, nor earbuds in playing music or..." + (show)

I would agree, Ginger, it is meditation time for me too. Just finished my walk for the day, only a few people out to wave to or say hello. However, I was impressed that one gentleman took his hat off and tipped it to say his good morning!! Made the walk even better!

grammy | @grammy12377 | Apr 20, 2020

Great idea. I have been doing water aerobics for a while but that came to a screeching halt! This sounds like a great idea. I have RA, AS, FM, migraines. Since starting some outside walking been struggling with foot & toe pain and ankles swelling. Haven't had that before. I feel like a whiner!! Sorry.