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.

@gingerw

@jakedduck1 When I use two walking sticks, and have to carry something, I use a small backpack. The movement of the two sticks help me a lot, so each side and step are balanced more evenly. Yesterday I tried to step from our front walk onto the dirt driveway next door. It was only a 4" change in height. Had to concentrate to make sure the movement was smooth and not result in a butt plant in front of our neighbor!
Ginger

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Yep! Been there, actually planted there, Becky.!

Fell one time on side of condo when I was picking up liriope clumps the paving co was digging up and throwing in the dumpster!!!!! Healthy, large, established beautiful clumps...those fellows were heavy, too. I was really not too bright. Hate to throw any plants, ever, and was horrified these were being tossed since they're so easy to plop down someplace with a bit of water and maybe an indentation for the roots. I dragged them all to my patio and most are still there, growing and happy on the concrete! Amaryllas, too, in flower. I put a couple in the border in front of my condo, to fill empty spots. Need to actually plant them!

I urge you, Ginger and Jake and all, if you have a balance issue at all, swallow that pride and use a cane, walking stick, hiking stick, walker, whatever to protect yourself. It's not smart to delay. I did, fought it like crazy, and fell numerous times as well. Got hurt, made life and body worse. Jake, use a walking stick for stability. It will keep you from the wobbling, which leads to the ground and it hurts!

I'm amazed at he birds I'm seeing now. I have a couple of tufted titmice. I do like that bird. Lovely, gentle. Lots of chicadee, the entire extended family apparently. Thrusher. Swallows. Still can't zoom enough to get close-up of birds, so think I'll work on using a real camera. I'll figure this out. They are such a pleasure.

hope you folks get in some good outside walking. I still have to protect these lungs from the outside at the moment. On a couple of inhalers now, thinking it's mold but no definitive diagnosis yet. We'll see....Blessings to all of you! elizabeth

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@ess77

Yep! Been there, actually planted there, Becky.!

Fell one time on side of condo when I was picking up liriope clumps the paving co was digging up and throwing in the dumpster!!!!! Healthy, large, established beautiful clumps...those fellows were heavy, too. I was really not too bright. Hate to throw any plants, ever, and was horrified these were being tossed since they're so easy to plop down someplace with a bit of water and maybe an indentation for the roots. I dragged them all to my patio and most are still there, growing and happy on the concrete! Amaryllas, too, in flower. I put a couple in the border in front of my condo, to fill empty spots. Need to actually plant them!

I urge you, Ginger and Jake and all, if you have a balance issue at all, swallow that pride and use a cane, walking stick, hiking stick, walker, whatever to protect yourself. It's not smart to delay. I did, fought it like crazy, and fell numerous times as well. Got hurt, made life and body worse. Jake, use a walking stick for stability. It will keep you from the wobbling, which leads to the ground and it hurts!

I'm amazed at he birds I'm seeing now. I have a couple of tufted titmice. I do like that bird. Lovely, gentle. Lots of chicadee, the entire extended family apparently. Thrusher. Swallows. Still can't zoom enough to get close-up of birds, so think I'll work on using a real camera. I'll figure this out. They are such a pleasure.

hope you folks get in some good outside walking. I still have to protect these lungs from the outside at the moment. On a couple of inhalers now, thinking it's mold but no definitive diagnosis yet. We'll see....Blessings to all of you! elizabeth

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I agree about the walking assistance Ginger! I was so proud of my Mom & mother-in-law when both independently chose to use canes, then walkers when needed. I hated that my Mom insisted I use a cane before my first round of hip replacements at 54, but I had to admit I was more comfortable & much safer. I do use hiking poles on uneven ground - they live in my car so they never get left behind.
Sue

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@Erinmfs

Beautiful day to walk in the garden

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Oh yes, it is. That is what I will be doing in a few minutes. I have been working like crazy for 3 weeks on our house and our daughter's newly purchased old house. Today the garden is calling - a stroll through the many beds in our yard, a little weeding before it heats up, then an iced tea and a book in the shade.
Sue

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@sueinmn and all. Hi gang. I'm still sickly and out of commission but working hard to get out of the dratted wheelchair and into walking mode in the beautiful outdoors once more. I'm planning to go to our dining room for lunch today with my WALKER and an escort, not the wheelchair. Hope it works. Then recuperation will go so much more quickly. Fingers crossed! X0 Laurie

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@artist01

@sueinmn and all. Hi gang. I'm still sickly and out of commission but working hard to get out of the dratted wheelchair and into walking mode in the beautiful outdoors once more. I'm planning to go to our dining room for lunch today with my WALKER and an escort, not the wheelchair. Hope it works. Then recuperation will go so much more quickly. Fingers crossed! X0 Laurie

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Yay! An official walk! When my Mom was rehabbing from one of her many setbacks, we used to follow her and her walker with the wheelchair - "just in case" - she staged her comebacks over and over and amazed us all - you are so determined I have no doubt you will get back on your feet as well.
Sue

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@artist01

@sueinmn and all. Hi gang. I'm still sickly and out of commission but working hard to get out of the dratted wheelchair and into walking mode in the beautiful outdoors once more. I'm planning to go to our dining room for lunch today with my WALKER and an escort, not the wheelchair. Hope it works. Then recuperation will go so much more quickly. Fingers crossed! X0 Laurie

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Hi Laurie!! I hope lunch is worth that effort! 😘 Shhh I’m only kidding. I love to see that you’re feeling spunky enough to ditch that wheel chair and try walking to the dining room. Don’t be discouraged if you get pretty tired in doing so. It’s huge progress from what’s been happening with you so relish any steps you take even if it isn’t far! ☺️ Lori

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@loribmt

Hi Laurie!! I hope lunch is worth that effort! 😘 Shhh I’m only kidding. I love to see that you’re feeling spunky enough to ditch that wheel chair and try walking to the dining room. Don’t be discouraged if you get pretty tired in doing so. It’s huge progress from what’s been happening with you so relish any steps you take even if it isn’t far! ☺️ Lori

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@loribmt Alas, it didn't happen as I planned. 😥 I wish I hadn't posted that previous message. I should have waited, and posted when I had accomplished the plan. Aaarggh. Silly, silly.
I tried. Too dizzy, too much pain, which caused more pain, which caused more dizziness. I know "tomorrow is another day", but DRAT it. I can do this. I've done it many times before. I have to remember the tortoise and the hare. I don't want sympathy, gang. Tune in tomorrow, or maybe the next day. Lol
P.S. The lunch was good! Hugs. Laurie

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@loribmt

Hi Laurie!! I hope lunch is worth that effort! 😘 Shhh I’m only kidding. I love to see that you’re feeling spunky enough to ditch that wheel chair and try walking to the dining room. Don’t be discouraged if you get pretty tired in doing so. It’s huge progress from what’s been happening with you so relish any steps you take even if it isn’t far! ☺️ Lori

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@artist01
I’m on my way out to run errands. Hope that counts for my walk today. If not don’t tell me.
Remember Laure, inch by inch anythings a cinch. Well maybe not quite a cinch but with perseverance you’ll make it.
Let us know when you enter the marathon.
Jake

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@artist01

@loribmt Alas, it didn't happen as I planned. 😥 I wish I hadn't posted that previous message. I should have waited, and posted when I had accomplished the plan. Aaarggh. Silly, silly.
I tried. Too dizzy, too much pain, which caused more pain, which caused more dizziness. I know "tomorrow is another day", but DRAT it. I can do this. I've done it many times before. I have to remember the tortoise and the hare. I don't want sympathy, gang. Tune in tomorrow, or maybe the next day. Lol
P.S. The lunch was good! Hugs. Laurie

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Laurie! It’s ok to plan and not accomplish what you set out to do!
The fact that you do inspire to get beyond the wheelchair means you have not given up hope! Trite but true…tomorrow IS another day; an opportunity for a fresh start. And another day stronger! The end goal was ultimately lunch and you achieved that!! ☺️ I’m glad it was good!

Your body has gone through a lot of trauma the past few months and it’s taken it’s toll…sapped your energy and left you drained.
I’ve had my share of days like that, when my only goal was standing for 30 seconds unassisted (though a gait belt was around my waist, just in case) I know sympathy is the last thing you want but do accept the empathy and commiseration we all feel for you as you keep giving it your all to persevere!
Fondly, Lori 😘

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