2011 walking thread

Gosh Lena, I didn't realize it was your first day of rads. You walk uphill was even more impressive at that rate.

I finished chemo a couple of weeks before starting rads and I was already tired. I actually felt better two weeks in than I did at the beginning. Then the rads fatigue started to kick in but that was really more in the final weeks and continued after rads were complete.

Lena

I am going for my 16 of 33 rad treatment in a hour - almost half way done!  So far, no SE's from the rads.  Went for a 2 mile walk yesterday morning, then an hour and a half walking the aisles in Walmart and the grocery store. All in all, I racked up 9598 steps before taking the pedometer off to take a nap.  I'm sure I would have gone way over the 10,000 mark had I put it back on after the nap.

Yesterday, the temperature was 99 degrees with a heat index of 116.  This morning it was already in the mid 80's and high humidity at 7 am, so I did not go for a walk.  Instead, I popped in a belly dance DVD and did some arm and hip movements - really helps to loosen up the stiff muscles. Unfortunately, those movements didn't trigger the pedometer.  The cancer center I go to started an 8 week nutrition/exercise program with the YMCA.  Last week was the intro and assessment meetings.  Tonight we have a 15 minute nutrition topic and then start on cardio machines (ie. treadmill and elliltical) so hopefully, I can get some good numbers on the pedometer. I'm really committed to walking, exercising and eating healthier because when I saw my primary doctor last week, my blood work showed that my cholesterol had skyrocketed.  I'm sure it is from the Arimidex and I really don't want to go on more medicine.

Off to rads.  I'll check back in tonight after the Y.

Bly Dancer, your post just reminded me of something. Since I don't go out for walks in the winter or other bad weather, occasionally I did stairwalking instead -- in my old apartment building starting from the basement to the top was five flights. Once up and down all those was quite a workout. I'm in a townhouse-style apartment now and only have one flight of stairs in the house, but a few times over this past winter I just went up and down, up and down, a few times. These stairs here are considerably steeper and further apart than the ones at my last place, so I was happy (to still be alive LOL) when I could do it 8 times (I have a mental note to get up to 10 times and do that twice or three times a week). And THOSE registered on MY pedometer as "aerobic steps." Dunno why I only think of the "going out" walks as "real" walks, but stairwalking is strenuous enough to be "real" isn't it? Honestly I should do it more often; I didn't do it EVERY day in the winter or other times I didn't want to go for a walk outside.

On the subject of arm movements, both Heidi and Bly, I don't belly dance, but I have, in addition to putting on my Jean's cream, continued to do some of the exercises I got from the PT after the BMX. I don't do formal workouts with them like I did while still in PT but I continued to do some of them randomly once or twice a day -- yes, to make sure the rads don't affect my ROM or give me a tight chest.

Since I got stuck with the parking garage today (the far lot was actually FULL) I should go for a walk now....that or a stairwalk or something at least to get SOMETHING in...it's gorgeous out, I have no excuse to not walk today.

My pedometer showed 6816 steps on it - didn't go for a regular walk because of the heat, but I did start the Y program tonight learning how to use the treadmill, elliptical, wave elliptical, and recumbent bike (7 min on each one).  Don't know exactly how they translated to number of steps, but I sure can feel it.  I may have to cut back on the 10,000 goal for a little while - #16 rad today and the exercising at the Y has wiped me out.  I think I'm trying to do too much too soon.

Good for you, Lena. I ate ice cream and took a nap

OK. Maybe when I get out of the hospital, I'll go back to walking.........

I thought I would recommend a great walking program for anyone that is interested.  The reason it's so great is because you can do it indoors, in your own home and without a treadmill.

The program is "Walk at Home" by Leslie Sansone: walkathome.com

I have bought her DVD's at Walmart & Borders, but I know they are sold elsewhere, including on the Walk at Home website.  They are inexpensive, very motivating and fun!  They are formatted with a 'Walk Clock' so you can know how far you've walked (1/2 mile, 1 mile, etc.) and timed.  She has many, many different workouts, some with weights and bands and she has a belt that she's developed for walking (I've not tried that one).

I apologize if this has already been suggested.

HTH!

Hi Ladies: I went to the park early this morning and walked for 2 hours. My pedometer had over 16,000 steps by the time I walked back home. I jumped on the elliptical for a few minutes. I hope to be able to walk for 2 and 1/2 hours next week.I heard of a place here that has an indoor track that I am going to check out because it is really hot here and I don't want to have to get up at the crack of dawn to beat the heat. 6:30am is early enough.

Mscal - wow. 16000 steps in 2 hours is amazing. You must have been going very fast

I'll join in.  Haven't read all the pages, but am trying to walk for 40 minutes 4xweek for now.  Unfortunately with the heat this week, it is difficult as I would need to walk 2x during lunch at work to meet that goal.  Hopefully this thread can help motivate me as I have never been good at keeping up excersice.

Hi Maria: Since you had already established a pattern of walking regularly, do try to do a little as weather permits. I think walking is good for the body and the soul. I'm guessing you have some great locations to walk where you live. I find walking beside the water is so relaxing.

About plantar fascitis. I think I have it too as far as I know, but self diagnosed. It really flared up after I did an 11 mile walk in May. I hadn't walked that far in years. Like yours my heel (right one in my case) is extremely painful. The pain gradually eases when I walk around. If I go for a long walk, it typically bothers me more afterwards. I have orthotics but don't wear theme as they sit too high in my runners and then my heel chafes against the top of the shoe. I found a couple of exercises help me. (1) while out walking, I will stop every now and then and put my right foot up on a low wall or bench, pushing through the ankle and holding for the count of 10. (2) stand on a step so that the back half of the feet hang over the step, you'll probably need to touch wall for support. Then lower the right heel down and hold for the count of ten. Do this 3-5 times, alternating between the two sides. I find this give me some instant relief. There are lots of suggested exercises for plantar fascitis on youtube and elsewhere online. 

Hi Maria: the flat, backless flip flops ... we just call them flip flops. If they have straps going around the back, we'd call them sandals. I agree with you about about it being hard to wear closed in shoes during the summer months. I think Merrell make some nice sandals and flip flops which have arch support and are built up a little in the back (though not as much as 1"). Ecco make some good-for-the-feet sandals too. I'm not sure that you can get Merrell there, but you can probably get Ecco.

Now that you've reminded me, I must make more of an effort to do those foot exercises. I tend to only remember when it gets really bad.

During a week of wicked temperatures here, I did very little walking. But on Sunday I did 5,000 steps in the mall and the rest when it had cooled down in the evening. Yesterday and today were much cooler, so I managed 10,000 steps both days, though in walks broken up with periods of rest.

Sore shins and butt are a sign that the walking is actually doing something for your body.  Just get out there.  I am almost always hurting from some activity.

Congrats on the three days this week.  More to come.

If I am that sore, I head for the bath tub.  But we are chilly here in Seattle.  Not sure I would do that if temps were in the 80s or hotter.

Major warning: after you have been walking for a month or so, you will notice that your figure has changed for the better.  This is when shopping becomes tempting.

So mentioning this one in advance.  Good luck, and major congrats. - Claire

Well having a specific goal is very helpful to me versus just "trying to walk more".  As I said above, my modest goal now is to walk 40 minutes 4x week.  I don't know how many steps or miles that is, but reading here I think I will get a pedometer as I'm not counting my 10 min walk to the office (and 10 back) as part of the 40 minutes.  The goal really helped yesterday, when I was running late all day, but "forced" myself to walk, even though it cut into time my dh and I were going out to dinner.  So far so good this week, I did the 2x at work and 1x yesterday so just have to do 1x on weekend.

 Also I'm sure the mile amt various considerable from the work at work, where I'm dodging pedistrians, tourists and cars vs. the walk at home which is mainly on a track.