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.

jude07 | @jude07 | Nov 25, 2020

In reply to @amandaa "This is my backyard today! It is cold, but it is a beautiful view!" + (show)

There is beauty in all seasons around us. Thanks, all, for capturing it in words and photos.
Have a blessed Thanksgiving!!

Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Nov 25, 2020

Today I walked with my 4 year old grandson, as I do most weekdays. Since we are limited by how far a 4 yo is willing/able to walk, I try to keep things interesting with discovering new things in nature, and making close observations around the neighborhood. Every day is different.

Today we focused on finding houses with holiday decorations, and when that failed due to few in place yet, we started watching the local squirrels, and looking for nests. He was able to count 21 of nests just circling their block - a combination counting lesson, memory challenge (what was the last number?) and observation contest. He was proud to report the results to Mommy.

Yesterday we actually went out in a light rain with Grandpa and little brother, and looked for the best puddles for all of us to splash in. Then we played tag and experimented with how far we could slide a piece of ice on the sloped driveway.

Tomorrow, after remote dinners, we will have a walk together, followed by a treasure hunt in our yard - we have gathered a shallow tote, bags of rice, measuring cups (their favorite toys) and trucks to create an indoor sandbox - they will a follow string to find all the pieces, and the tote will be waiting at the end - inside the garage.

All of this keeps Grandma motivated too!
Sue

jude07 | @jude07 | Nov 25, 2020

In reply to @sueinmn "Today I walked with my 4 year old grandson, as I do most weekdays. Since we..." + (show)

How grand to be creative with your grandchildren. The scavenger hunt will be the perfect end to a grateful Thanksgiving day, making the best of it! Enjoy

Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Nov 25, 2020

In reply to @sueinmn "Today I walked with my 4 year old grandson, as I do most weekdays. Since we..." + (show)

@sueinmn I never had children, thus no grandchildren. My husband's 8 grandchildren range in age from 23 down to 10 but don't live close by. How fun for you to spin your brain coming up with ideas! You know this will remain in their [and your] memories for a long time. Are you taking pictures to create a photo album?
Ginger

Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Nov 26, 2020

In reply to @gingerw "@sueinmn I never had children, thus no grandchildren. My husband's 8 grandchildren range in age from..." + (show)

Sad to say, I am not too good at taking photos "in the moment" but I am working on it. And my older daughter, the fabulous "Auntie", helps with ideas and execution when she can.
Sue

fiesty76 | @fiesty76 | Nov 28, 2020

In reply to @amandaa "This is my backyard today! It is cold, but it is a beautiful view!" + (show)

@amandaburnett, What a fantastic photo and the clouds are magnificent! Looks like the few remaining leaves atop the tree in forefront are reaching up to tickle the clouds.

Hope you and others will continue to share photos because they can brighten any day for all of us!

fiesty76 | @fiesty76 | Nov 28, 2020

I enjoy catching moments with my "point and shoot" camera but haven't learned how to upload them for sharing. Sigh. My neighborhood walks are good for the exercise and occasionally provide a few ah hah moments; however, small nearby playa lakes and parks usually provide more opportunities for photos.

When taking walks in parks, I often tuck my camera in my fanny pack and occasionally click off a few pics as reminders of how changed this covid year has been for all of us. Things often previously taken for granted are more significant now and while it will be some time before developing the pics I've taken over the last months, they will go into a special album for the year. I want these along with my gratitude journal to serve later as reminders of the exceptional journey we've been on throughout this challenging time.

Yesterday I completed my 11 month of walking 3 x's/week with some shorter "bonus" walks thrown in. This was a tough new year challenge for me to take on but now I can truthfully say that it has become an important part of my weekly routine and one I want to continue into the next year.

I give a lot of credit to Becky, @becsbuddy, for starting this valuable forum because there were days I might have resisted if not for the sharing and encouragement of others in this group.

jude07 | @jude07 | Nov 28, 2020

In reply to @fiesty76 "I enjoy catching moments with my "point and shoot" camera but haven't learned how to upload..." + (show)

Congrats on your 11 month accomplishment!! Way to go! Nice that you journaled as well.
My intent was to put together a pic journal of this year as well.
I definitely agree that the enhanced encouragement of the group has been a blessing. Ditto, on the thanks to Becky.
I am conditioning myself to walking longer in 30 some degree temps. Not bad unless the wind bites! Not sure what the winter will, at some point, gift us or what my walks will turn into.
Mall walking is even unpredictable with all of the COVID cases. For now, I am good, just missing talking to people on my walks like I used to do. I just keep my walk for prayer, fresh air and the landscaping beauty.

Becky, Volunteer Mentor | @becsbuddy | Nov 28, 2020

In reply to @jude07 "Congrats on your 11 month accomplishment!! Way to go! Nice that you journaled as well. My..." + (show)

Keep going @jude07 ! And walking in 30 degree temps is awful! We’re still in the 40’s with gorgeous sun. Shady spots still have snow so it can be icy—ugh. But getting ready to go outside is half the battle! By the time I get myself bundled up and the dog into his harness and sweater and remember my mask and the leash and my gloves and the doggie pick-up bag and and and, I’m exhausted!