1. < Just Want to Talk
Mentor

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 | @pollyanne | May 22, 2020
In reply to @mayofeb2020 "@pollyann I was put on statin by my cardiologist after my TIA even though my cholesterol..." + (show)
@mayofeb2020

@pollyann I was put on statin by my cardiologist after my TIA even though my cholesterol was normal. I tried prevastatin many many years ago, couldn't tolerate it, and lowered my cholesterol by life style changes. I found that second time around it was still bothering me, even though I was only taking 5 mg every other day. Then he changed it to Livalo 1mg every other day. It's worse if not better. My joints hurt, my legs and feet too. I asked him if I could stop for a week or so but he said it's not a good idea since I had TIA. At this point I don't know if the leg pain is caused by my back.. I have spinal stenosis, or other medical problems that could cause pain in my legs. My daughter said I nerd flexible shoes, and she has knee and ankle problems when she has wrong type of shoes on. Now I guess I have to wait to see my doctors to determine the course of action. I am really frustrated because walking is my only exercise I can do now. I would like to take a blood test to see what the cholesterol level is now. I also read that statin could have a negative effect on the liver. So what to do?

Jump to this post

@mayofeb2020 I have had the same dilemma with whether to take a statin or not. My Dr that I had for years was happy with my cholesterol levels because of my high HDL which at my recent level was 90. But then a new Dr arrived and she didn't like my total cholesterol number. She told me to talk to my regular GP about taking a statin. So I spoke to him and found that the recommendations had recently changed and so it might be a good idea to take one. I asked if age had anything to do with the decision and he replied that yes, one day you could be considered fine and then you have a birthday and you are not fine. This seems a bit stupid to me. The Dr told me that in his opinion it was very subjective. Anyway, I tried the statin and it didn't agree with me. I then spoke to another Dr who felt my cholesterol was fine and he said to just keep up the exercise and watch my diet. [I am not overweight] So that is what I am trying to do although I feel a little insecure after being told for years that I was protected by my high HDL. I also think my diet is already quite good. I think I have slipped a bit on the veggies which I actually like.

REPLY
1 reply
pollyanne | @pollyanne | May 22, 2020
In reply to @contentandwell "@funcountess we are pretty careful about ticks, but no, we do not use a repellant. I..." + (show)
@contentandwell

@funcountess we are pretty careful about ticks, but no, we do not use a repellant. I think there is a fairly wide walkway so you are not walking very close to the bushes and grasses along the walk.

@pollyanne I assumed you were since you mentioned being a trainer, didn't you? I will look up thigh strengthening exercises. Weights and all fitness equipment is literally impossible to find. Apparently everyone bought equipment when they started having to stay at home. I ordered some weights on Amazon and they were supposed to come the first week of the month but they have not and it looks as if they will not so I cancelled and ordered some others that are also back-ordered. I have one set of 8 pound weights but for some of the exercises I would like to do I need some smaller ones too, like 2 or 3 pound weights, and 5 pound weights.
Thanks for your suggestion. I wore different sneakers yesterday when walking and did not take my pravastatin last night and my thighs are not hurting today. I don't know which helped but I will stay off of the pravastatin for a week. I think I will alternate sneakers too to see if that's the problem.
JK

Jump to this post

@contentandwell I wasn't exactly a trainer. I was a high impact aerobics instructor, which they have since found is too hard on the body. I did work for a kinesiologist though and so we were trained how to do the moves that we were doing. We also did floor exercises and stretching but no weights. So I had a certain amount of kinesiology training with all that. I have been to a weight trainer at the gym and I found that using weights that are too heavy just makes the problems worse. I'm sure you realise that, plus too many repetitions are not good. That is I think what gave me a lot of my skeletal problems, over use and too many repetitions. So ease into new exercises very carefully. I also think that music with a lot of energy can be dangerous because I used to fly when we used the high energy music. I loved it because it was like high energy dancing and I used to put the tapes together with really high energy music.
I think some of the You Tubes online are good for demonstrating how to do weight exercises and exercises for injuries. I know there are some good ones for thigh strengthening and it's worth a try. Strong thighs can also help the knees.

REPLY
1 reply
fiesty76 | @fiesty76 | May 22, 2020
In reply to @rosemarya "@becsbuddy, I hope to get back to walking soon. I am taking a break because of..." + (show)
@rosemarya

@becsbuddy, I hope to get back to walking soon. I am taking a break because of foot pain when I was over inspired to increase my pace and distance. Resting, new shoes, and a tentative appointment with pediatrist are how I am treating it.
I really miss my quiet reflective walking times. That is why I do not like to wear a head set. (someone asked about that once before) Heck- I don't even own any.
Everyone, Please keep sending the walking stories!

Jump to this post

@rosemarya, Ouch! Hope your walking times can resume soon. Yesterday, on my walk I heard this curious flapping sound. Had to sit on ground to examine bottom of New Balance 606 shoes; one of the soles was hanging by a strong thread at toe and had loosened to instep. I must have looked like slow starting cold honey creeping home. Made it safely but have never had anything like this happen before; just glad I wasn't a mile or two away! I don't own headphones either and prefer the quiet on my walks. Hubby used to wear them in bed to watch tv; while I could read my favorite mystery in peace. Whatever works, right? Feel better soon.

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Becky, Volunteer Mentor | @becsbuddy | May 22, 2020
In reply to @fiesty76 "@rosemarya, Ouch! Hope your walking times can resume soon. Yesterday, on my walk I heard this..." + (show)
@fiesty76

@rosemarya, Ouch! Hope your walking times can resume soon. Yesterday, on my walk I heard this curious flapping sound. Had to sit on ground to examine bottom of New Balance 606 shoes; one of the soles was hanging by a strong thread at toe and had loosened to instep. I must have looked like slow starting cold honey creeping home. Made it safely but have never had anything like this happen before; just glad I wasn't a mile or two away! I don't own headphones either and prefer the quiet on my walks. Hubby used to wear them in bed to watch tv; while I could read my favorite mystery in peace. Whatever works, right? Feel better soon.

Jump to this post

@fiesty. I’m glad you didn’t fall! Are the shoes new? Do you think the company will replace the?

REPLY
1 reply
pollyanne | @pollyanne | May 22, 2020

@fiesty76 and @becksbuddy I had this happen to me once when I was in the airport. Someone stapled the sole in place for me until I finished my journey. My shoes were old. If your shoes are new or fairly new I would return them to where you bought them. You were wearing a good make and they should stand by their product. Good luck. You might need to mail them direct to the manufacturer.

REPLY
1 reply
lioness | @lioness | May 22, 2020
In reply to @contentandwell "@mayofeb2020 May I ask what you could not tolerate about pravastatin? Just curious since I am..." + (show)
@contentandwell

@mayofeb2020 May I ask what you could not tolerate about pravastatin? Just curious since I am on it. When the doctor prescribed it he had checked the various available drugs and felt this was the best one for me, giving my being post-liver transplant but there must be others too I assume.
JK

Jump to this post

@mayofeb I have been on some kind of statin since I had my by pass Everyone caused leg pain finally found one that works for me that the Dr put me on its rosuvastatin I have been on it now for awhile and no pain with it at all.

REPLY
lioness | @lioness | May 22, 2020

@contentandwell If your happy with what you have now and the Dr is too that is great I am too since Im on Rosuvastatin no leg pain

REPLY
1 reply
lioness | @lioness | May 22, 2020
In reply to @mayofeb2020 "@contentandwell. Muscle and joint pain is the primary issue. I'm taking Coq10. I read that it..." + (show)
@mayofeb2020

@contentandwell. Muscle and joint pain is the primary issue. I'm taking Coq10. I read that it could help.

Jump to this post

@mayofeb I too take my CoQ 10 along with my Rosuvastatin . Ive taken that along time some Dr told me to take it .

REPLY
mayofeb2020 | @mayofeb2020 | May 22, 2020

@contentandwell. I emailed my doctor and he puts me back on the lowest dosage of prevastatin. I'll give it another try. Otherwise he wants me to see the lipid specialist at his practice. He once suggested an injectible. Ugh.

REPLY
lioness | @lioness | May 22, 2020
In reply to @pollyanne "@contentandwell I wasn't exactly a trainer. I was a high impact aerobics instructor, which they have..." + (show)
@pollyanne

@contentandwell I wasn't exactly a trainer. I was a high impact aerobics instructor, which they have since found is too hard on the body. I did work for a kinesiologist though and so we were trained how to do the moves that we were doing. We also did floor exercises and stretching but no weights. So I had a certain amount of kinesiology training with all that. I have been to a weight trainer at the gym and I found that using weights that are too heavy just makes the problems worse. I'm sure you realise that, plus too many repetitions are not good. That is I think what gave me a lot of my skeletal problems, over use and too many repetitions. So ease into new exercises very carefully. I also think that music with a lot of energy can be dangerous because I used to fly when we used the high energy music. I loved it because it was like high energy dancing and I used to put the tapes together with really high energy music.
I think some of the You Tubes online are good for demonstrating how to do weight exercises and exercises for injuries. I know there are some good ones for thigh strengthening and it's worth a try. Strong thighs can also help the knees.

Jump to this post

@funcountess Also running . I was doing an insurance exam on a client and she was a runner everyday . When I saw her she had to quit Dr,s orders as she ruined the ligaments in her knees by all that running daily . Your whole body needs to rest and repair itself especially the muscles and she didn't . So that's another thing to keep in mind when you work out whether running or weights

REPLY
1 reply
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.