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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.

Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Dec 16, 2020
In reply to @jakedduck1 "@becsbuddy I haven’t been walking either. I also need a reminder. I had a seizure Saturday..." + (show)
@jakedduck1

@becsbuddy
I haven’t been walking either. I also need a reminder. I had a seizure Saturday and fell on a tile floor and split my head open so I had to get that tended to. not really serious but you know how head wounds bleed. I was supposed to go with my brother to pick up his medicine and I looked out and saw that he was here but I just sat back down and didn’t pay any more attention to him. He eventually came to the door and he asked me what was wrong, of course I said nothing. I was still post-ictal I guess plus my face was covered with blood.
I have been sleeping for the last couple of days which I normally do after a seizure.

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Ooh- Ow! Hope you doing okay.
Sue

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Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Dec 16, 2020
In reply to @becsbuddy "Well, my walking efforts haven’t been great lately. We have snow and ice on the sidewalks..." + (show)
@becsbuddy

Well, my walking efforts haven’t been great lately. We have snow and ice on the sidewalks and I don’t want to fall! But, it’s going to be in the 40’s the rest of the week. Have prednisone infusions the next 2 days and then cyclophosphamide. So NO snow!! I need to get out and walk. I need some members to remind me to ‘just do it’!

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I'll confess- no walking for me since Friday. I had a sudden horrible bout of vertigo over the weekend and ended up sleeping most of Sunday. It's gone now but I was shaky for a few days. Didn't want to overdo as I am caretaker today- waiting in the car now while husband is having second cataract surgery. It's only 16f, but I'm about to bundle up for a short walk.
It's really hard to push myself out the door when it's this cold. My super warm mittens help.
Keep trying.
Sue

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Leonard | @jakedduck1 | Dec 16, 2020

@imallears
Howdy Doody Hurricane,
I’m back to my abnormal pathetic self. One of those warning gadgets wouldn’t do me any good at least as far as seizures are concerned since I never have any warning before and I am too confused afterward to be able to use it. I haven’t heard from you in a while now, just curious what crazy and bizarre foods you’ve been chomping down on are? Been creating any weird concoctions lately to please that sophisticated palate of yours. I'm having some mundane lentils and lima beans. They’re pretty good (no, I didn't make them.) You probably wouldn’t allow such as that to cross your delicate and complex taste buds.
M&M’s for dessert, but which ones. Regular, white choc (my favorite,) caramel, peanut, hazelnut, peanut butter, English Toffee, popcorn, cocoa crisp, or the orange & vanilla (like the 50/50 ice cream bars) already ruled out dark, coffee & mint.
I already went for my first walk of the day. Out to the garbage. It was bone-chilling cold too, 32° I’m still trying to warm up. Times like this that I miss the old floor furnace I once had. I’m going to go walk up some stairs today, my goal is seven flights plus 2 maybe 3 miles. Doesn't hurt to dream.
Jake

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1 reply
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Dec 16, 2020
In reply to @jakedduck1 "@imallears Howdy Doody Hurricane, I’m back to my abnormal pathetic self. One of those warning gadgets..." + (show)
@jakedduck1

@imallears
Howdy Doody Hurricane,
I’m back to my abnormal pathetic self. One of those warning gadgets wouldn’t do me any good at least as far as seizures are concerned since I never have any warning before and I am too confused afterward to be able to use it. I haven’t heard from you in a while now, just curious what crazy and bizarre foods you’ve been chomping down on are? Been creating any weird concoctions lately to please that sophisticated palate of yours. I'm having some mundane lentils and lima beans. They’re pretty good (no, I didn't make them.) You probably wouldn’t allow such as that to cross your delicate and complex taste buds.
M&M’s for dessert, but which ones. Regular, white choc (my favorite,) caramel, peanut, hazelnut, peanut butter, English Toffee, popcorn, cocoa crisp, or the orange & vanilla (like the 50/50 ice cream bars) already ruled out dark, coffee & mint.
I already went for my first walk of the day. Out to the garbage. It was bone-chilling cold too, 32° I’m still trying to warm up. Times like this that I miss the old floor furnace I once had. I’m going to go walk up some stairs today, my goal is seven flights plus 2 maybe 3 miles. Doesn't hurt to dream.
Jake

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You can send me any dark chocolate M&Ms that you don't want.

I walked 30 minutes in a sunny St Paul neighborhood while waiting for my husband's cataract surgery to be done.

The houses remind me so much of the Minneapolis neighborhood where I grew up. Mixed single family, duplex & 4-plex homes, few garages- but no corner stores, little shopping areas or cafes. So sad - those were once the center of each neighborhood. Too bad - I was hoping to get a cup of coffee as the clinic coffee kiosk is closed for now.
Sue

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MGMolly | @Erinmfs | Dec 16, 2020
In reply to @imallears "@jakedduck1 Hello, Sorry to hear about the latest seizure and glad you were able to get..." + (show)
@imallears

@jakedduck1
Hello,
Sorry to hear about the latest seizure and glad you were able to get up by yourself. Was wondering if you wear some kind of alert system or have a cell phone on you at all times. Health concerns and aging are the reason a lot of people have roommates but don’t know if you are open to that.
Anyway, you will be back to walking soon. Weather here in Florida has generally been ideal walking weather so it’s not necessary to rush out the door so early to beat the heat. High 50s or low to mid 60s most mornings which is perfect and energizing with low humidity. We have up and down swings...unseasonably warm and humid for a few days then typical cool days so it’s hard to acclimate. My face did feel frozen one day a couple of weeks ago when it was about 49 degrees .....no one else was out except dog walkers and I cut it short. Never really minded the cold but hate the wind and there is always a breeze in my area living so close to the water. There is no excuse today so off I go!

Stay safe

Florida Mary

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Hi,

@jakedduck1

I did something fun this week for walking! I splurged at the running Wild shop and purchased running pants and a jacket for winter walking. I also purchased some comfy klogs. I spent too much money, but investing in the right garb for winter walking was my goal. I walk about 1.5 miles to and fro to the grocery store mostly, in tights! I'm an old lady, and I wonder if those young people out there are laughing at a 50 yr old in running tights! Waaa ha ha ha ha on them, I enjoy a walk to the grocery in winter.

My community is famous for the Bix 7 road race. So, I have my Bix 7 winter training pants now, a Christmas gift to myself this year.

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2 replies
mayofeb2020 | @mayofeb2020 | Dec 16, 2020

@Erinmfs... 50 years old? You are just a baby. Wear what you want that makes you happy. Who cares what others think. I have warm jackets, just need warm pants, my legs feel the cold more. I bought a pair of ski pants last year bc I thought I was going to a skiing weekend with my son. That did not materialize so I may just wear that on my walk when it's really cold. It does not look like ski pants, but I don't care if people stare.

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Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Dec 16, 2020
In reply to @Erinmfs "Hi, @jakedduck1 I did something fun this week for walking! I splurged at the running Wild..." + (show)
@Erinmfs

Hi,

@jakedduck1

I did something fun this week for walking! I splurged at the running Wild shop and purchased running pants and a jacket for winter walking. I also purchased some comfy klogs. I spent too much money, but investing in the right garb for winter walking was my goal. I walk about 1.5 miles to and fro to the grocery store mostly, in tights! I'm an old lady, and I wonder if those young people out there are laughing at a 50 yr old in running tights! Waaa ha ha ha ha on them, I enjoy a walk to the grocery in winter.

My community is famous for the Bix 7 road race. So, I have my Bix 7 winter training pants now, a Christmas gift to myself this year.

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I haven't seen 50 in a loooong while, but I almost always walk in tights/leggings when the weather is cool be cause they are so comfortable. I add a pair of fleece or waterproof over-pants when it's cold or wet. Who cares what the neighbors think? If I feel self-conscious, I just flash back to some of the attire one might see in Walmart or the grocery store.

As for shoes/clogs - mine vary greatly with the season. I'm currently using low-top hikers with a semi-flexible sole and add crampons when needed. I just change the thickness of socks to suit the weather. In summer I wear well-cushioned softer-soled shoes - my arthritic feet object to anything too firm. The softer shoes just wear out more quickly - I go through 2-3 pairs a year, then for a season they become garden/mud shoes before I toss them. I tried walking in my lace-up fleece-lined waterproof boots, but even adding orthotics my feet & legs protested after a mile.

The best accessory I have now is the hand-crocheted 100% alpaca hat from my daughter. So soft, it never itches like the wool ones, and it sheds water wonderfully so I can walk in sleet or snow. Thinking of asking for an alpaca neck gaiter to match...
Sue

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Mentor
Becky, Volunteer Mentor | @becsbuddy | Dec 16, 2020
In reply to @Erinmfs "Hi, @jakedduck1 I did something fun this week for walking! I splurged at the running Wild..." + (show)
@Erinmfs

Hi,

@jakedduck1

I did something fun this week for walking! I splurged at the running Wild shop and purchased running pants and a jacket for winter walking. I also purchased some comfy klogs. I spent too much money, but investing in the right garb for winter walking was my goal. I walk about 1.5 miles to and fro to the grocery store mostly, in tights! I'm an old lady, and I wonder if those young people out there are laughing at a 50 yr old in running tights! Waaa ha ha ha ha on them, I enjoy a walk to the grocery in winter.

My community is famous for the Bix 7 road race. So, I have my Bix 7 winter training pants now, a Christmas gift to myself this year.

Jump to this post

@Erinmfs I’m so glad you got yourself outfitted for walking! And you walk to the grocery! Good for you. I’m trying to get myself back to walking but the snow and ice makes it difficult. Be sure to let us know how the new outfit does!

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Mentor
Becky, Volunteer Mentor | @becsbuddy | Dec 17, 2020

Hi, had a good walk with the dog this morning. It was only 25* but the sun was out! Problem is, it takes so long to get boots, coat, hat mittens, face mask on, and then I have to get the dogs harness and coat on! He’s dancing around in excitement the whole time so getting things on is a challenge! Had a nice, slippery walk, though. You must tell me about your nice WARM walks!

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1 reply
Leonard | @jakedduck1 | Dec 17, 2020
In reply to @becsbuddy "Hi, had a good walk with the dog this morning. It was only 25* but the..." + (show)
@becsbuddy

Hi, had a good walk with the dog this morning. It was only 25* but the sun was out! Problem is, it takes so long to get boots, coat, hat mittens, face mask on, and then I have to get the dogs harness and coat on! He’s dancing around in excitement the whole time so getting things on is a challenge! Had a nice, slippery walk, though. You must tell me about your nice WARM walks!

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@becsbuddy
I don’t see how you can walk outside cold weather Becky. Eat a cookie or two. Maybe digesting it will warm you up a degree or two. It's freezing cold here too currently 56° at least it’s cold for me. It’s supposed to get to 57° today, burrrr. I freeze in the winter and bake in the summer. I think I’ll wait to walk after it goes up another degree hopefully. Have you lived in that type of weather all your life? I have always lived in California.
Stay warm,
Jake

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