WALKING for our sanity....

[MoOrLess]

Donna posted a thread about being frustrated with banded life...and Judy mentioned how much walking helps keep us sane....and S.A.D. was also talked about - when depression hits due to the change in seasons...

We like the idea of coming to a thread to talk about our WALKS...whether they are for leisure, to find a quiet time, to find sanity in the crazy busy days we find ourselves in -- let's encourage and support one another.

Sometimes taking a walk is just what the doctor (or wise bandsters) order.

The challenge is not how far or how fast - but just that we DID take a walk :)

Won't you join us? Did your walk bring peace of mind? Did it help you work through a problem? Did it make you feel heathier, and more on track with banded life? Whatever it did for you - come share. Together, we can all live the best banded life that we can.

[WildAlaskaG'ma]

I was soooooo not into my walk yesterday and only managed to follow through and get my butt down to the road because I had committed to Donna that I would. So I gave myself permission that rather than walk for exercise & cardio, I could just take a leisurly stroll for the joy of moving and seeing all nature's beauty. I LOVED IT !!! What a blessing. I'm doing it again today!! Great idea doing this thread, Mo. (Thanks) Hopefully we'll have more walkers making the move along with us ,,,

[Dieseldolly]

The marathon I walked in, on Saturday took me to places I had never been to before, and want to go back and check out. They have some of the cutest shops there, that I did not know about. So I know where my next leisure walk will take me. Shops, walk, relax and enjoy. Sounds great to me.

[MoOrLess]

I haven't walked yet - but I WILL...being inside 24/7 just isn't good - hot or not - mentally. My back is still acting up - so I'm going to take a nap - but I'll definitely hit outside once I have slept off this medication. Thanks for sharing - it is motivating!!!

[Nick N Ava's Grammy]

I didn't get to walk outside today, the humidity was awful!! But I did get out my Wii Fit and worked with that for about 40 mins. I did step aerobics most of the time, and had forgotten how much fun it was to do. I had a different feeling this time though.. I felt like I was doing it because I wanted to, not because I had to. It didn't seem like a chore for some reason.. maybe it was because I thought about all of you guys that commited to exercise or walking because of my 'give support' thread.

I am so thankful to you all.. you have NO idea how much you all mean to me.

I watched Oprah today, and there was this guy that lost almost 1000 lbs, got to his goal of under 200, then gained it all back.. he was talking about.. you go on a diet, you go off a diet.. it's a lifestyle change, because when you go off a diet, old habits come back and you're right back where you started. I'm finding that as time goes by I'm learning more and more about myself.. that slowly some changes are being made in my life.. and that I'm so danged hardheaded!!!! My Dad always said I had a one track mind.. I wished he were here so I could tell him that now I finally understand what he was telling me.

[MoOrLess]

aw Donna...I wish my Dad was still here too - he'd be happy to see that I'm HEALTHIER! Isn't that what it's all about, in the long run?!

I didn't end up walking "outside" per se -- but I did walk in Wal-mart for the majority of TWO HOURS -- yup - when the daughter goes - she GOES lol....although I don't call it exercise officially - it was good to get out and about -- perhaps I will sleep better tonight and the muscles loosened up so my back doesn't hurt tomorrow....(and yes - it decided to storm here tonight so no going outside with the lightning blazing in the sky!)

[SweetCori]

I can never allow myself to get to where I was. My grandpa said I have to pay him back for the surgery if I don't succeed. Even though I am doing this for myself, the ONE person besides me I do not want to disappoint is my pop. I have always been a pop's girl (instead of daddy's girl, never was that although my dad and i love each other). I hate seeing him upset and he has had such a rough year with my grandma passing, I don't want to add to it. He is the most special man in the world to me.

[Texasgal]

Oh my! This is a wonderful thread. What a good idea! What a NEW idea...hehe. Walking for the joy of it and not for the "exercise". I like it! Tks for starting this. I think I will not wait until August to start my challenge.....I will start today.

Anyone know why I am not seeing the "tickers" anymore? You know, the ones that show how much we have lost or/and the challenge ones? No one has them on my screen anymore. Did I turn em off some how?

[MoOrLess]

I took my own advice and got my behind out the door today! My 11 year old son and I went for a leisurely walk (so I could see how my back and foot are holding up) and just to get outside....just to prove that we really did "stop to smell the roses" so to speak - here are some pictures I took with my phone

If you don't have a place like this to walk - just load these into your memory and take them with you as you go out into the world to smell the air and relax...there is a swinging bridge (my son walked on) and even a place to just sit and remember our loved ones (many benches throughout the park) and the dam which is so relaxing to sit and listen to the water flowing, and even some ducks enjoying the water

http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk197/MoOrLess/July2009Belviderepark068.jpghttp://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk197/MoOrLess/July2009Belviderepark080.jpghttp://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk197/MoOrLess/July2009Belviderepark083.jpghttp://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk197/MoOrLess/July2009Belviderepark070.jpg

http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk197/MoOrLess/July2009Belviderepark075.jpghttp://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk197/MoOrLess/July2009Belviderepark072.jpg

and our self-portrait lol
http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk197/MoOrLess/July2009Belviderepark078.jpg

[Nick N Ava's Grammy]

Oh Mo.. what great pictures!! I said on another thread that your son looks just like ya! :) Love the water pictures.. I could listen to that all day long.

Cori.. your Pop will be proud of you no matter what.. that's what grandpa's are for.. my grandpa was my best buddy.. he 'loaned' us money to buy a washer when we had our daughter (she will be 39 end of Aug).. he gave me $200 (a LOT of money back then) to buy a washer for washing her diapers.. I didn't want to take it.. he finally said it was a loan.. we said ok.. so we paid it off after 3 weeks.. we had a ceremony of burning the 'note' in an ashtray.. I'll never forget that moment.. 4 months later he died of cancer.. only holding his great grand daughter once (because he didn't want her to get cancer he said).. I have pictures of it.. I treasure them.. Mannnn.. this is turning into a trip down memory lane isn't it? Our daughter was born 2 days after his 66th birthday.. I still miss him.

[MoOrLess]

and the bench is there (and many others) just waiting for you to come sit! Donna....

hopefully one day you'll get to come here and visit and we can do just that :)

[Nick N Ava's Grammy]

I'd love to Mo... thank you so much!!

[MoOrLess]

I'd love to Mo... thank you so much!!

I know we talked about it (a year ago!)...so start bugging your daughter so you can hop on the train and come visit :)

[Nick N Ava's Grammy]

She mentioned it the other day believe it or not!! :) We'll have to talk about it for real soon :)

[MoOrLess]

She mentioned it the other day believe it or not!! :) We'll have to talk about it for real soon :)

ah "like minds" :)

[firefighter30603]

Oh Mo.. what great pictures!! I said on another thread that your son looks just like ya! :) Love the water pictures.. I could listen to that all day long.

Cori.. your Pop will be proud of you no matter what.. that's what grandpa's are for.. my grandpa was my best buddy.. he 'loaned' us money to buy a washer when we had our daughter (she will be 39 end of Aug).. he gave me $200 (a LOT of money back then) to buy a washer for washing her diapers.. I didn't want to take it.. he finally said it was a loan.. we said ok.. so we paid it off after 3 weeks.. we had a ceremony of burning the 'note' in an ashtray.. I'll never forget that moment.. 4 months later he died of cancer.. only holding his great grand daughter once (because he didn't want her to get cancer he said).. I have pictures of it.. I treasure them.. Mannnn.. this is turning into a trip down memory lane isn't it? Our daughter was born 2 days after his 66th birthday.. I still miss him.

My grandmother passed away very soon after her first great granddaughter was born... she had been battleing cancer for a long time. I sometimes think that was what she was holding on for. We have a picture of her with the baby.... very sweet... I miss my granny too!

[Nick N Ava's Grammy]

You know what Crystal.. my grandpa was hanging on for our daughter to be born. He was in the same hospital I went to to have her.. he told my Mom (after she had left a note beside his bedside because he was sleeping) that I had had his first great grand daughter, and he told her that he felt like someone was tugging at his pajama bottoms, telling him he couldn't leave yet.. you just brought back that memory for me.. I got goosebumps.

I don't think we ever get over losing someone special in our lives.. our memories are so precious and that's what keeps them alive. Hugs to you!!

[WildAlaskaG'ma]

I'm still walking. Actually did a walk and a half today, as I did my "real" walk in the morning, then took the dogs to the beach this afternoon to cool them off. Of course the lab can't get enough of the water, but my little maltipo thinks I'm being mean to her when I make her swim. Great pictures, Mo ,,, On my walk today I was trying to concentrate on all 5 of my senses as I walked along. What I could see, what I could hear, what I could smell, and what I could feel ,,, Of course I had to stop and pick a handfull of huckleberries to get the taste thing in ,,,

[MoOrLess]

yum on the huckleberries..... :)

It's so healing and peaceful when we actually take in the things around us as we walk -- somehow I am convinced that this kind of walking is just as good as 'exercise' fast and furious walks....

[Nick N Ava's Grammy]

Great job on walking Judy.. I honestly did miss walking today.. as I drove down our road coming home from town, I thought about how peaceful it is out here. I'm close enough to the highway that if we need to we can get out in the Winter.. but far enough away to feel like I'm with nature. It really is calming.

I agree with you too Mo.. we may not get our heart rates up to cardio.. but at least we get our legs and feet moving. Tomorrow is another busy day here, Max has to go to the Chiropractor at 10 (the office is about 1 hour away where you came in on the train), then at 2 pm he has more dental work done (about 13 miles from home), then at night is our support group meeting in Owosso (where we took you to Curwood Castle).. so not sure if I'll get any walking in.. I guess I could walk across the street and go to that Ben Franklin store we took you to in Durand.. that's where Max has his Chiropractor appt at.. lol I'll think about ya while I'm in there.. lol

[MoOrLess]

wow...thanks for the memories Donna...I recalled every one of those places -- I was just thinking about standing in that stairwell with you in the castle :)

[linda61]

HI I went for a walk this morning its really helps clear my mind of all the stress at least for a little while its really hard staying on track some times but I m always glad when later when I do go walking

[WildAlaskaG'ma]

,,, I agree with you too Mo.. we may not get our heart rates up to cardio.. but at least we get our legs and feet moving ,,,

Amen to that !!! Doing healthy things for our bodies should NOT be a one (eating right) or a two (eating right & getting good exercise) dimentional thing ,,, We are all a LOT more complex than that. It's proven time and time again that simple answers to complex issues set us all up for failure. Here's to focusing on our multi-dimentional selves !! Keep moving. Keep breathing. Keep celebrating the blessings around us. Keep nurturing our souls !!

[Texasgal]

Love the pics!! I would love to live someplace with a nature path to enjoy. I live in the standard neighborhood. Uneven sidewalks but manicured lawns are kinda boring after the 2,000 time to walk by them but I will try and enjoy the sites anyway hehe. Can you say green with envy?

All this talk of missing grandparents brings back memories and yearnings to see my grandparents again. They died when I was 16 and 17 yrs old (mom's side) and 22 and 23 (dad's side). I will have to drag out the photo albums and pay them a visit tonight.

Hugs all

[MoOrLess]

HI I went for a walk this morning its really helps clear my mind of all the stress at least for a little while its really hard staying on track some times but I m always glad when later when I do go walking

Hi Linda! Welcome to B2G and to this thread...I totally agree - walking helps us keep our 'minds' on track :)


Amen to that !!! Doing healthy things for our bodies should NOT be a one (eating right) or a two (eating right & getting good exercise) dimentional thing ,,, We are all a LOT more complex than that. It's proven time and time again that simple answers to complex issues set us all up for failure. Here's to focusing on our multi-dimentional selves !! Keep moving. Keep breathing. Keep celebrating the blessings around us. Keep nurturing our souls !!

Thank you Judy - you posted the PERFECT WORDS....I was just talking about this on Donna's support thread...and I couldn't express exactly what I wanted to say - you just did!


Love the pics!! I would love to live someplace with a nature path to enjoy. I live in the standard neighborhood. Uneven sidewalks but manicured lawns are kinda boring after the 2,000 time to walk by them but I will try and enjoy the sites anyway hehe. Can you say green with envy?

All this talk of missing grandparents brings back memories and yearnings to see my grandparents again. They died when I was 16 and 17 yrs old (mom's side) and 22 and 23 (dad's side). I will have to drag out the photo albums and pay them a visit tonight.

Hugs all

Ah...see...walking also gives us time to reflect on people who have been in our lives and although we miss them we take time to "remember when" :wink2:

---I haven't walked yet today - not as hot as in other parts of the country, but hot nonetheless....so hopefully tonight things will be a bit cooler for walking.