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.

@becsbuddy

Had a root beer float last week! So good! First I ever had!
Poppy and I only did a 1 mile walk today. 😩. But I stayed real busy all day! Finished two masks for my husband and put away the laundry! I never put away laundry!
At least I stayed awake today

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@becsbuddy, Another post from a busy bee. Golly, not only did you make masks but actually put away the laundry...you know those steps count too ??? And what's this pride in staying awake all day? Hummm, a day for me without a nap must be like a day for @jakedduck1 without a candy bar or three. Smiles I did laundry yesterday and for the 1st time actually timed how long the new washing machine took to complete one load...55 minutes. While it is quieter than the vintage one that finally gave up the ghost, the new and improved model has sensors that automatically lock for safety but a one day wash day has now turned into two.

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@rosemarya

I changed my walking route from the park to the street/sidewalks today. I wanted to track my mileage by retracing my route in my car. I was able to start my walk later due to the cool weather this week, so that was a bonus for me! I saw lots of people out and about, but no trees to climb or Tarzan and Jane or a cookie. I did have to walk past out bakery, and encountered a delightful little boy and his mom coming out of the bakery. He had a tiny scooter and an adorable matching helmet that had what looked like a dragon or dinosaur. I complimented him on his helmet, and he delighted in waving while eating a donut with mom carrying the scooter.
As far as that yummy root beer float, I had one on July 4th. I don't have any root beer here now, so I am free of temptation.

I look forward to hearing more of your walking adventures tomorrow.

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@rosemarya, What a good idea to track your mileage by retracing the route with your car. Bet seeing the little dragon/scooter fella made both his day and yours! How did you manage to "walk past" the bakery??? That would have been nigh impossible for this sweet toother! No question there are some very strong self-discipliners amongst us...Smiles

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@mayofeb2020

@sueinmn @fiesty76. My brother and I used to play cowboy and Indians, of course I'm the Indian. I guess now it would be politically incorrect to play that or Tarzan and Jane either. We were kids and we just wanted to have fun!

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@mayofeb202, Yes, Merry, my "idol" and I also played cowboys and Indians and naturally I was always the Indian being chased by the play pistol through our sparsely treed "canyon" next door to our homes and below our high school hill. We'd hunch over and "grind" soft rocks for "meal" and armed with my rubber knife, while "stalking" what we thought was a bear but probably a small dog, I fell into some prickly pear cactus. I can still almost feel my maternal grandmother plucking those painful needles from my backside. When we moved into our Ft. Worth home, I insisted that hubby remove every cactus from our courtyard and have never cottoned to cactus since. We were so fortunate to live in a very small town where people knew one another and we were allowed time and freedoms only limited by our imaginations to conjure up explorations that our grandchildren could only consider science fiction today. "Those were the days, my friend. We thought they'd never end..." Our grands will have their own stories to tell but I can only wonder at what joys they will recall.

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@jude07

Such a wonderful story, I love the Jane/Tarzan enactment of play time and could picture this even though I don’t know you or your friend. I certainly watched it as a child as well.

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@jude07 Glad to hear from another who remembers that time of innocence and exotic exposures to jungles!

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@wisco50

My kids are 46 and 47. They grew up in a house 2 blocks from a lake and a small zoo (Madison, WI). They were always outside, playing with each other or in groups with neighborhood kids. I never worried about them. I grew up out in NY, right outside of NYC. Long Island Sound was at the end of my road. My childhood consisted of playing at the beach, parks and in the woods by a creek. I have no idea of the exact age at which either myself or my kids did such but relatively young. Using finger as a gun? Heck, I had cap gun “six shooters” and an imitation Annie Oakley outfit! Boots and hat, too! Yes, we had one tv and dad was in charge of it. Except I was allowed to watch Wild Kingdom on Sundays! My funny memory is we learned my dad was color blind and so was one of his brothers when both families got color tvs! LOL! Remember the color and tint knobs back then? He’d make the people either purplish violet or green. It was so awful but so funny!

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@wisco, Now I am truly jealous! An Annie Oakley outfit with boots and hat, too? Ahh, now that was fine indeed! I never lived near a beach growing up but can only imagine the fun you and friends had playing there and in parks near a wooded creek. I'll never forget our second grade class going to a classmate's house to watch the first US space launch...was the beginning of a new world filled with possibilities.

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I always was the "odd one out" - my hero was Davy Crockett, and I had a "coonskin" hat, purse and rifle (popgun). I keep after my daughter to let her boys be kids, but as a nurse in these Covid days she is terrified of a trip to the ER - as it is the 4 year old jumped off the playhouse roof and ended up at the Ortho urgent care & in a boot.

We grew up in the city, and our playground included the (forbidden) railroad yards as well as the Mississippi river, and the backsides of a number of factories where all sorts of treasures were tossed out the back doors.

Does anyone remember the "Punch'n'Grow" seed starting kits? The place they were assembled was down the block (another fascinating story) and the "duds" were tossed out back, usually without labels. We would bring them home and use them, just to see what they were. Our Mom never had to buy tomato or flower seeds or plants, and once in a while we would get a watermelon, squash or some other treat.

Off to hand therapy today, then a quick walk through Costco to stock up.

Sue

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@wisco50

My kids are 46 and 47. They grew up in a house 2 blocks from a lake and a small zoo (Madison, WI). They were always outside, playing with each other or in groups with neighborhood kids. I never worried about them. I grew up out in NY, right outside of NYC. Long Island Sound was at the end of my road. My childhood consisted of playing at the beach, parks and in the woods by a creek. I have no idea of the exact age at which either myself or my kids did such but relatively young. Using finger as a gun? Heck, I had cap gun “six shooters” and an imitation Annie Oakley outfit! Boots and hat, too! Yes, we had one tv and dad was in charge of it. Except I was allowed to watch Wild Kingdom on Sundays! My funny memory is we learned my dad was color blind and so was one of his brothers when both families got color tvs! LOL! Remember the color and tint knobs back then? He’d make the people either purplish violet or green. It was so awful but so funny!

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Such grand memories, hope you are writing stories about you growing up for your children and their children to pass on. I love it that you had the whole Annie Oakley outfit, boots and
all! Living by the water is calming for the soul and mind!! My daughter went to college in Madison, loved all of the lakes around there.
We did the whole find “Bucky“ a couple of summers ago when she was home.

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@fiesty76

@mayofeb202, Yes, Merry, my "idol" and I also played cowboys and Indians and naturally I was always the Indian being chased by the play pistol through our sparsely treed "canyon" next door to our homes and below our high school hill. We'd hunch over and "grind" soft rocks for "meal" and armed with my rubber knife, while "stalking" what we thought was a bear but probably a small dog, I fell into some prickly pear cactus. I can still almost feel my maternal grandmother plucking those painful needles from my backside. When we moved into our Ft. Worth home, I insisted that hubby remove every cactus from our courtyard and have never cottoned to cactus since. We were so fortunate to live in a very small town where people knew one another and we were allowed time and freedoms only limited by our imaginations to conjure up explorations that our grandchildren could only consider science fiction today. "Those were the days, my friend. We thought they'd never end..." Our grands will have their own stories to tell but I can only wonder at what joys they will recall.

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Oh your cactus story is great and the fact that you had your husband remove them from the yard is even better! LOL

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@sueinmn

I always was the "odd one out" - my hero was Davy Crockett, and I had a "coonskin" hat, purse and rifle (popgun). I keep after my daughter to let her boys be kids, but as a nurse in these Covid days she is terrified of a trip to the ER - as it is the 4 year old jumped off the playhouse roof and ended up at the Ortho urgent care & in a boot.

We grew up in the city, and our playground included the (forbidden) railroad yards as well as the Mississippi river, and the backsides of a number of factories where all sorts of treasures were tossed out the back doors.

Does anyone remember the "Punch'n'Grow" seed starting kits? The place they were assembled was down the block (another fascinating story) and the "duds" were tossed out back, usually without labels. We would bring them home and use them, just to see what they were. Our Mom never had to buy tomato or flower seeds or plants, and once in a while we would get a watermelon, squash or some other treat.

Off to hand therapy today, then a quick walk through Costco to stock up.

Sue

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All of these stories are with the real spirit of childhood days. Let’s not forget to keep these stories fresh and tell them over and over. Or better yet write them down. I used to sit hours to listen to my Mom’s who died at 98. I tried to tape a few but she would nearly always catch me and ask me to shut it off. I have always dreamed of being a free lance writer and travel the backroads to listen and write the stories of others. Well that won’t happen this year!
Hope your hand therapy is helping.
Enjoy the day!!

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@fiesty76

@sueinmn, Sounds like so much fun! A climbing tree with two grands is the best of finds! We had a large climbing tree in my backyard as a child. It stretched over our garage; my dad built "steps" up the tree and a platform. My next door friend and I spent hours playing in that tree and on the roof of the garage. We played Tarzan and Jane. Two years older, she Always got to be Tarzan. Guess I should feel lucky I didn't have to be the chimpanzee???? Anybody else even relate to the Tarzan and Jane era???? Followed this friend to college and years later, her hubby was the one to tell me I'd just given birth to a red headed baby girl. Another story for another day. We've remained friends and stayed in touch throughout the years. Smiles to all and keep moving.

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@sueinmn Oh yes, I remember thoses days of Tarzan and Jane. At recess I always had to be the chimpanzee. Go ahead of laugh. I really didn't mind. At least I was part of the play time at recess, but I did always wonder why I had to be the chimpanzee.

s

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