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!
Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Just Want to Talk Support Group.
Good - let us know when you get started. As summer ends and we all prepare for winter, we need to reenergize the group.
Sue
I walked 2.1 miles yesterday after being tortured by my medical exerciser at the gym. I must have been a sight, I was weaving all over the place. Good thing a policeman didn't see me. I wish I was one of those people who enjoyed walking and exercising and felt invigorated afterward like some but walking & exercising are painful but hopefully it will improve over time. I used to walk 10 miles or more every day but that was 11 years ago. I hope if I build up my stamina the pain will diminish.
Get out there and pound the pavement people. You kids inspire me but someone following me with a whip & a club would inspire me even more.
Happy trails ya’ll,
Jake
I have convinced myself that walking entitles me to chocolate after supper - no walk, no chocolate.
Or I could let you wrangle my grandsons for a few hours...
Sue
Boy, you think like me! I was so exhausted at the grocery store yesterday that i felt i had earned some M&Ms! I had used up all my spoons (and forks and knives) so needed chocolate!
@jakedduck1
Hi Leonard
I think 2.1 miles is great and I only walk 2 miles daily because of the current weather here in Florida. Maybe you could cut it down to 1 mile initially or divide up your walks. I find I have more energy in the early morning so I am out the door between 6 and 6:30 after my vitamins and a 1/4 cup coffee.
I also think the pain will diminish over time...you have to exercise those muscles but not to the point you are in pain. That old adage "No pain no gain" is a lot of baloney. You are only putting more stress on those muscles if you push it. Baby steps ...and I would gladly oblige with a whip and club if I lived near you. Or I could chase you with a piece of grilled octopus and you would run screaming into the night.
I wear a blinking light on one sneaker and one on my wrist because it is still dark when I first go out. I also walk around my small house because I have one of those smart watches that nags me if I am still too long. Those watches are great motivators.
FL Mary
Hey @anncgrl the Mayo walking plan is a great way to start! Do you maybe have a walking buddy near you?
Have you been able to start yet?
Caramel M&M's are my current favorite - or Costco dark chocolate sea salt caramels.
My grandsons get a small packet of Annie's gummy candies halfway through our walks - I found out that then they have the energy to get home without being carried. My son-in-law thinks I'm creating bad habits - but he never turns down his packet!
I thought I had an appointment this morning - but it is tomorrow - so off to walk now.
Sue
@sueinmn
2.6 miles and I'm out of my favorite M&M’s, white chocolate but the Carmel definitely deserves an honorable mention.
I haven't had any candy (or any other treat) in 2 weeks which is a challenge with 10 candy dishes staring me in the face.
Jake
No candy? Unbelievable for me. My littles were here for supper, and their treat was one foil wrapped chocolate "coin" apiece. That was after a mountain of scrambled eggs made by the 5yo with sausage salsa guac black beans and fruit...don't know if I could afford to feed them full time. Today I played tag and chase Grammy instead of walking.
Jake, it sounds like a real challenge. I am giving you double thumbs up, like me grandson would say.
Sue, those grandkids will keep you busy grocery shopping as well as physically fit.
Have a good, safe weekend!!
Make the best of each new day!