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Let’s Go Walking! Join me for a virtual walking support group
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!
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@sueinmn, "5 Things for 5 Senses" is a wonderful mind calming activity and so glad you shared it with us. Did it originate with you? And whether young or old, we all could use some moments to focus on something constructive when our overly active minds start acting up. Behind on my Dexa scan required before annual Reclast infusions for osteoporosis, I was forewarned by my PCP's nurse when I called last Monday to ask for an early morning appt. that at my clinic, mammagrams are now being scheduled for mid-January. Already a couple of months behind on the bone scan and infusion, I prepared to wait for the call for the appt. I used this technique and it helped! Happily, I am grateful to be scheduled this morning for the Dexa scan and again anxious because of the large waiting room at the clinic. Will carry your "5 Things..." with me as a distraction during my wait. Thanks again!
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1 Reaction@sueinmn, I'm all in favor of taking a day off from time to time...maybe weekly? vbg When my older neighbor called yesterday I told her I had just finished "following her good example". She and I are both yardies and have been friends for 40+ yrs so she asked "what ex?"
A few yrs ago, she'd told me that cleaning the whole frig at one time had become "too much for her so she had started cleaning one shelf at a time"...so when a drip needed cleaning, I followed her lead by just cleaning that one shelf. Not as ambitious as you but every little bit helps, right?
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3 ReactionsThat sounds good, and I do it for larger spills, but if I don't "do" the whole job, I just rearrange the stuff I should be tossing. Hence the need now for a full cleanup. Rainy today, so after I make some fun masks for my grandson, maybe I'll get to it. Has to be easier than the major freezer cleanout & defrost a couple weeks ago - it took 11 hours with hot water pans & a hair dryer to melt all the accumulated frost! (Door got left ajar)
Yesterday was my total day off - only a little stretching & basic therapy, then I read & read.
Here are the "5 things for 5 senses" it came down from my daughter's therapist when she was struggling. The point is to be "in the present" - what you are experiencing at the moment. Needless to say, try to concentrate on positive imagery.
What I see
What I hear
What I feel (like wind, sunlight, etc OR what I feel emotionally in this moment)
What I smell
What I taste (hardest - I often save it for mealtime)
Here is another exercise that I call "Own it and Let it Go." I use it in anxious/stressful situations.
When confronted with an unpleasant feeling, smell, sight:
I feel [angry that person is not wearing a mask in the store.] I need to remember [he may have a health condition, and that I cannot control anyone else's behavior.] I will [keep my distance, be extra polite to the staff who have to deal with him & get out of here as quickly as I can.] (Deep breath & let it go. Mentally picture your favorite thing)
I feel [anxious] waiting for my test results. I will get my answer [in two days] and then deal with it. Until then I will concentrate on [writing a memoir for my grandson.] (Deep breath...)
I feel [annoyed when I see my neighbor's messy yard.] My neighbor [either doesn't care about yards or has other issues more important to tend.] I will concentrate on [enjoying my own yard] or thinking about [how friendly she is when she sees me.]
I feel [irritated that my daughter hasn't called.] I can [call/text her to be sure she is okay] then find something productive to do. I understand [she is busy helping her sister & working.] I will concentrate on [what a terrific Auntie she is.]
You get the idea. I hope this helps too. Have a great day.
Sue
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5 Reactions@sueinmn. Thanks for sharing. I'll remember to keep this post. I'm going through some of the emotions mentioned and I'm hoping to rid myself of negativity around me.
@sueinmn Im back. Took some days off or rather, they took me. Everyone should take some time off! It’s good for the brain. I’m finally back to walking, short distances, though. Most os my walking time is spent waiting for my little friend, Poppy. He has to check everything out including every blade of grass. A friend is bring dinner over tonight so we can mask and social distance and eat! Should be good
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1 ReactionA friend sent me this and thought it great to share: "When life feels too big to handle, go outside. Everything looks smaller when you’re standing under the sky."
Just being outside is a welcome experience and early morning walks start the day "just right" for me. So far I've met my personal challenge for the year of going for walks three times per week. Not a record, but so far I've managed and setting specific days for the walks increased the importance for me. It is far too easy for me to procrastinate about some things and since the loss of my wonderful 4 legged companion, I just couldn't gear up the discipline to continue until setting this challenge.
Until March and the onset of Covid-19, during inclement days, I drove to big box stores for the walks. Now, I'm starting to wonder what I'll do to fulfill my challenge through the end of year. I'm not comfortable going into stores so I can do as I did early in the year by setting a timer and trooping repeatedly through the house and garage (if I move the car onto the drive vbg) but that has very little allure at best and certainly a dull compromise. Probably require changing out the carpets afterwards too. Any suggestions for alternatives???
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4 Reactions@fiesty76 Drive or walk to a park and walk. Get a bicycle [3 wheel if needed] or a pair of roller skates. If you are in a house, how about yardwork? Personally I much prefer the outside to inside a building of any sorts.
I like what your friend said. In the past I have gone to the ocean and stood looking out to sea. And realising the enormity of it all, and my little part in it. Very humbling.
Ginger
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1 ReactionGinger, I totally agree about the ocean! I’m an ocean person (trapped in the midwest, haha!), having grown up on the east coast, literally down the street from the water.
I am thinking the poster’s issue about “through the end of the year” may be weather, i.e., winter related. I have the same issue. I live in a great location for walking BUT having had back and neck surgeries and being older now 😢, I will not walk if it’s slippery out. I wish I could just go to a gym for limited use in winter. But they don’t allow memberships like that. Argh.
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1 ReactionHow long do you walk for?
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2 Reactions@sueinmn I appreciate the grounding exercise you practice. A good way to focus on the here and now.
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3 Reactions