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.

Becky, Volunteer Mentor | @becsbuddy | May 2, 2020

In reply to @wisco50 "Ooh, I need this! I have been so lazy/unmotivated lately..." + (show)

@wisco50. I’m glad you joined us-we have a great group!

Becky, Volunteer Mentor | @becsbuddy | May 2, 2020

In reply to @yakki "I just had to share this. This morning I woke up ready for my walk. I..." + (show)

@yakki I took your advice and set out just to enjoy the walk. It’s a cool, cloudy day which makes it easier to walk. I enjoyed everyone’s gardens and only the sound of birds in the air. It’s nice, isn’t it!

fiesty76 | @fiesty76 | May 2, 2020

@yakki, @becsbuddy @wisco50, Temps hit 101 here yesterday so I took a 7 am walk before the heat began to climb. Although the Jan. goal of 3 walks/week was to see if I could make myself do the solitary exercise consistently, I'm starting my 4th month and have to say that having this connect walking group has really helped me stay true to my goal. I'm not pushing for speed but do wear a watch and have gradually increased the length of my walks. Some days I tire more quickly but do keep to the minimum first set.

pollyanne | @pollyanne | May 2, 2020

@fiesty76 It sounds like you are doing really well. Keep it up. I would find that heat really tough. What is the temperature when you walk early? I am not a good early morning person.

lioness | @lioness | May 2, 2020

@fiesty76 @bevsbuddy I got 9n the scales and have lost 5 lbs so walking and other has helped

Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | May 2, 2020

I took a few days off for the trip home, with just quick walks during breaks, but back to it today! Was great to walk my neighborhood I've not seen for six months. Only a few other walkers out on our wide, deserted roads at 7:30 am. Once I'm through my self-quarantine I may seek a walking buddy or two - social distance would be easy here. My Texas walking group is not faring as well, having trouble motivating themselves to walk alone. We may have to conference call as we walk to keep everyone moving - would be too hard to Zoom and walk.
Then I spent the afternoon clearing out my first garden bed. 1 done, 8 to go...
Sue

wisco50 | @wisco50 | May 2, 2020

In reply to @fiesty76 "@yakki, @becsbuddy @wisco50, Temps hit 101 here yesterday so I took a 7 am walk before..." + (show)

101?! Oh my.......

lilypaws | @lilypaws | May 3, 2020

In reply to @fiesty76 "@yakki, @becsbuddy @wisco50, Temps hit 101 here yesterday so I took a 7 am walk before..." + (show)

@ lilypawsWhere do you live? I live in Iowa it usually doesn't get that hot. We have had a cool spring.
I can't walk because I'm going to be having a fusion on my low back from T10 to the pelvis. It's a big surgery and waiting for the elective surgeries to start up again. It hurts to walk, stand, and even sit sometimes. They have proven the surgery will help and I'm looking forward to it. I can't take any pain med now, since the surgeon told me then the med he gives me will not work as well. Have any of you had a fusion done?

lilypaws | @lilypaws | May 3, 2020

In reply to @lioness "@fiesty76 @bevsbuddy I got 9n the scales and have lost 5 lbs so walking and other..." + (show)

@ lilypaws I love you @fiesty76. You are so encouraging. I can't walk because of too much pain. I'm having a back fusion from T-19 to my pelvis and I hurt every day. Can't wait till I can join you and walk. You must be fiesty and I love that too. You always have good things to say.

jude07 | @jude07 | May 3, 2020

In reply to @lilypaws "@ lilypawsWhere do you live? I live in Iowa it usually doesn't get that hot. We..." + (show)

I can hear your pain, it definitely is limiting you physically which I am sure impacts you mentally and your sleep as well. I have not had a fusion however a back fracture some years ago, so I have a titanium rod. The Dr said that the best thing to do is walk, I hope that you recover well, once you have surgery and get back to walking without the intense pain you are experiencing today. Take care.