Yesterday, wearing my bought on Tuesday new rain and wind proof trousers and ditto jacket, I did my 20 laps of the Close in light rain. Hood can be adjusted to fit comfortably and not blow off, thus keeping hearing aids dry! So I think I'm all set to keep walking except in heavy driving rain, ice etc. Does anyone remember the A A Milne 'Now we are Six' poem which begins:
Let it rain who cares
I've a train upstairs
Which works in jerks
With a string sort of thing
Yesterday, wearing my bought on Tuesday new rain and wind proof trousers and ditto jacket, I did my 20 laps of the Close in light rain. Hood can be adjusted to fit comfortably and not blow off, thus keeping hearing aids dry! So I think I'm all set to keep walking except in heavy driving rain, ice etc. Does anyone remember the A A Milne 'Now we are Six' poem which begins:
Let it rain who cares
I've a train upstairs
Which works in jerks
With a string sort of thing
or something like that!
You sound more like the one about John who "Had Great Big Waterproof Boots on; John had a Great Big Waterproof Hat, John had a Great Big Waterproof Mackintosh - And that (Said John) Is That."!
Thanks for the reminder of those rhymes; I'm going to spend part of today reading them. It's pouring with rain and I'm feeling sad because our son has gone back to his own house up north this morning, after a few days with us (work-related).
I have to say I can't read the A.A. Milne verses now without being reminded of a parody I came across years ago:
Hush! Hush! Nobody cares!
Christopher Robin has fallen down stairs.
/tangent
I've been trying to walk most days and have a step counter that helps me aim for 10,000 steps. I also lost weight at Slimming World this week, for the first time in a long time. I just need to get my head back into the right place about it and keep it there.
Yesterday, wearing my bought on Tuesday new rain and wind proof trousers and ditto jacket, I did my 20 laps of the Close in light rain. Hood can be adjusted to fit comfortably and not blow off, thus keeping hearing aids dry! So I think I'm all set to keep walking except in heavy driving rain, ice etc. Does anyone remember the A A Milne 'Now we are Six' poem which begins:
Let it rain who cares
I've a train upstairs
Which works in jerks
With a string sort of thing
or something like that!
You sound more like the one about John who "Had Great Big Waterproof Boots on; John had a Great Big Waterproof Hat, John had a Great Big Waterproof Mackintosh - And that (Said John) Is That."!
Very interesting post, thank you so much for posting it. \\I've been out again this morning disregarding wind and rain!
Thanks for the reminder of those rhymes; I'm going to spend part of today reading them.
I read them to my sons of course and used to read them to my year 6 pupils when teaching and i was always surprised, and some what saddened to find out how many children had not met them before. One group particularly liked James James Morrison Morrison Wetherby George Dupree (sp?!)
It's pouring with rain and I'm feeling sad because our son has gone back to his own house up north this morning, after a few days with us (work-related).
I have to say I can't read the A.A. Milne verses now without being reminded of a parody I came across years ago:
Hush! Hush! Nobody cares!
Christopher Robin has fallen down stairs.
I don't think I've ever heard that - I'll google it!
I've been trying to walk most days and have a step counter that helps me aim for 10,000 steps. I also lost weight at Slimming World this week, for the first time in a long time. I just need to get my head back into the right place about it and keep it there.
I have had just a bit too much weight at times during my life, but when you can't see properlywhat you're eating, it helps! fortunately, I can stillenjoy tastes. Good luck with both walking and weight.
And (once again!) I have started the walk-a-mile-in-15-minutes programme. I have lost a bit of weight through sensible eating, but when I became breathless-ish on a five minute not-very-fast walk I thought that I needed to Do Something. So I fired up Leslie on the computer. She doesn't half have an annoying laugh, I must say.
Blood on the carpet, blood on the mat
Christopher Robin's castrated the cat
That made me laugh - thank you for posting!
Yesterday my board for tap dancing at home arrived. It's 4 ft by 2 ft 6in. I had no idea what it would look like, but now I can say that it looks like a giant-sized kitchen chopping board!! It has rounded corners of course, is white and solid wood and at one end there is handle-hold hole, just like my chopping board. My son came down to help unpack but also to se it for himself, and once on the floor, I can get my hand underneath, get hold of it and stand it up against the wall. Perfect! I put my tap shoes on of course to give it a try and it is going to be just right I think. Watch this space!
Good on you, SusanDoris - if you live in a flat, have you warned the people downstairs?
No, I live in a row of six terraced houses and am the third one along. The neighbours on one side are out during the day and the neighbour the other side is more interested in seeing the board and is almost as deaf as I am so will not wear her hearing aids if she hears me, but she says she doesn't mind at all anyway!
Bearing in mind my energy levels, 20 - 30 minutes will be my limit at any one time, I think!
Susan Doris it sounds like you have idea neighbours.
Half an hour's tap dancing! I stand in awe - rather than the collapsed state I would be in if I tried it. Well done.
After my first session yesterday, I think a far more accurate description than tap dancing would be 25 minutes and that includes breathing pauses of shuffllling about on the board, working through the Intermediate syllabus ! But fun, though!
I've set myself a goal of 5.75 million steps for 2020 which averages out at 15.8 thousand steps a day. It's ambitious but doable - I'm slightly behind at the moment but catching up after a few days of very obsessive walking. Last year I hit 5.2 million which was a fun little 100 thousand a week. I used to live in a hilly part of England and so all this walking would have gotten me a nice tight butt, but being in the flats now - no such luck on the butt.
Next year - I am looking to uninstall this app which is driving me obsessive with the walking and will perhaps look to do something more akin to Dormouse - I love the idea of 15min mile as that would bring some cardio with it. I will also be looking to trade the walking shoes for a yoga mat and stretch some of the muscles that have been rather neglected in the poundings on the street.
I'm in awe of anyone who can tap-dance for any length of time. Respec' there!
That would have been more difficult as we have to turn up already trunked! A problem would have arisen however if I'd forgotten to bring pants ...
A combination of the paper towelling thoughtfully provided for hand sanitising, plus cunning use of the hairdryer in unorthodox places, saved the day. Annoyingly I remembered both shower gel and deodorant!
That would have been more difficult as we have to turn up already trunked! A problem would have arisen however if I'd forgotten to bring pants ...
A combination of the paper towelling thoughtfully provided for hand sanitising, plus cunning use of the hairdryer in unorthodox places, saved the day. Annoyingly I remembered both shower gel and deodorant!
blame the whole thing on the virus. I mean, for goodness sake, it's difficult enough when life is running smoothly to remember all the separate items necessary, let alone with all the different rules because of the virus!
That would have been more difficult as we have to turn up already trunked! A problem would have arisen however if I'd forgotten to bring pants ...
A combination of the paper towelling thoughtfully provided for hand sanitising, plus cunning use of the hairdryer in unorthodox places, saved the day. Annoyingly I remembered both shower gel and deodorant!
I was going to say at least you remembered your trunks @Baptist Trainfan , but @piglet beat me to it. @Helix, I average about 15,000 st.eps a day too I never realised how many that adds up to in a year. I try not to let my fitbit (other fitness trackers are available) bully me, but don't always succeed
This week is crazy walk week for me, one more day of it and I am going to hit 280k steps in a week. That averages at 40k a day. I don't know why I did it, it's been utterly soulless but I've just come back from a walk to the park to see a Fly Agaric which is such a treat and rare in central(ish) London. It was magical in the dark!
Wow @Helix, I've never managed more than about 36,000 steps in a day. I have seen a Fly Agaric outside of a picture book, but that was in a wood in, I think, Surrey.
@Helix That's impressive for a week. 280k is just under my steps total for this month so far... mostly over the course of the commute/weekly shopping trip both of which I'm trying to walk as much as I can rather than go out again once I'm home from work. I usually average between 7,000 - 10,000 steps just at work, so when I add on the 15,000 or so commuting steps it's a rare working day I'm under 20,000.
It's definitely more than April which was my worst month since I began recording my walking back in 2016. Then it was for physical health-related reasons, now it's just as much because I enjoy it!
However, I think I'd agree most of this year's walking has been less enjoyable and more duty as I've scarcely been out of the local area whilst trying to keep up my preferred amount of walking.
Thanks guys - owing to miscalculation about how far I had walked last week - I ended up walking 55k steps and reaching 300k in the week. It was utterly desultory. I won't be doing that again in a hurry but am in a very good place now to hit my 6m target for the year end. I hope next year I can get into the zone of doing something like yoga and give my body a proper stretch and work out. I think it needs it.
last week was more normal but still on the high side and 207k steps overall. I'm looking to walk less as my joints are hurting a little but I start on my rambles and targets come into my mind which I can't resist.
In any case, am in an even better case for 6m by year end and if I do have to self-isolate, it is still doable without a big push.
In December if it gets chillier, I am sure I will be enjoying more time closer to my radiator!
Helix have you thought of using Nordic Walking poles? I use them because they help me walk faster, improve my balance and take some of the weight off my knees (which are a bit dodgy). It seems a pity to give up something you enjoy.
@Huia thank you for that magnificent idea! I wish I had had it - I've been wondering how I can get some upper body work outs along the way. Now I know. I'm very grateful and will be doing some research. Thank you.
Helix -I'm pleased you feel that way. I am a bit overenthusiastic according to some people because they have made such a difference for me.
Unless people where you live are more restrained than people here you will get lots of comments like "where's the snow?" which I either ignore or or stop and discuss the origins of Nordic poles ( a summer alternative to keep skiers fit for skiing).
If you can get access to a copy of The Ultimate Nordic Pole Walking Book by Klaus Schwanbeck - (the libraries copy was 2014) it has techniques and exercises that are really helpful, but there is a lot of info on the internet too.
I started by doing a WEA course, which wasn't absolutely necessary but I wanted to learn something different and the woman taking the course was fun. Then I fell down the steps at home onto concrete and damaged a knee,. I limped around for a while then saw a woman with her poles and realised I could use them to help my knee and my walking confidence, so I bought some online. Now, unless I am on my bike, I use my poles all the time. I left them behind in a bus shelter once and never expected to se them again, so bought another pair. Two weeks later the lost property at the bus company rang - now I have two pair.
Best unintended consequence - children stand up for me on the bus - woman with grey hair and two walking sticks, must be really decrepit.
I'm so excited to be back swimming after a two year break - found I slipped into it straight away, obviously with times down but distances, after the first day, no trouble at all.
I hope you are staying out of lakes Zappa - a recent repot on lake pollution levels wasn't that good - unless you are willing to climb a mountain first.
I'm so excited to be back swimming after a two year break - found I slipped into it straight away, obviously with times down but distances, after the first day, no trouble at all.
Well done. I had to take a break over the Welsh "firebreak" but then restarted. Missed the beginning of this week as we had a couple of days away, went yesterday and have booked for today as well. I swim rather slowly!
Mr Boogs has made me a standing desk so I don’t sit down until lunch time. Interestingly I can’t stand still for very long so spend less time on the iPad and do more housework.
Helix have you thought of using Nordic Walking poles? I use them because they help me walk faster, improve my balance and take some of the weight off my knees (which are a bit dodgy). It seems a pity to give up something you enjoy.
I’d like to try these, but will need a solution for the dog. 🤔
Fitness wobbled a bit last week - a TIA symptom *(unable to say what I wanted to say for a moment when talking to a friend on the phone) necessitated check-up. Carotid arteries both functioning at 50%. Fortunately, that seems fair enough odds to me, and although feeling quite back to normal, I have just been a little more cautious walking and doing my tap shuffling!! Waiting for phone appointment with specialist to see if any medication change is necessary. Ballet bar to fix to wall to assist in balance when tapping will arrive before Christmas I'm hoping!
Boogie- I had visions of your dog using poles (sorry I sometimes have an overdeveloped sense of the ridiculous). I don't know if there is a way of using poles while walking a dog. I suppose you could try using one pole, but if I do that I feel unbalanced.
So I have hit the 6m steps for this year - actually I hit that yesterday. Another stupid day of walking incessantly, I am trying to work out what the obsession is as it doesn't feel healthy. I'm looking forward to changing my style of walking to Nordic Pole Walking and walking fast and less. It's very bizarre this obsessive walking but it could be obsession over something not so good for me .
@Helix, I have been walking way more than usual this year, longer walks too, because there's not a lot else to do during this pandemic time. And it is therapeutic, and healthy, to walk. I'm motivated partly by a health condition that gets worse if I don't stay active, and also because usual ways I stay active without trying, like walking to the bus stop to go to work, walking from the bus stop to work, walking round town during work breaks, etc., are no longer happening as I'm working from home. So I have to be more purposeful about walking just for the sake of walking. I sometimes feel it can be a bit of an obsession too, maybe because there's not a lot else to focus on. And it's good to have a focus in these unfocused times, and as you say, if one is going to have an obsession, better that it's somehing good for you. My steps are far fewer than yours, but would no doubt be more if my health were more robust.
I think for me the step counting makes it more of an obsession, especially as I use an app that makes a game of it and you get points for your team for your steps. That aspect is a strong motivating factor, and also it's fun to keep track of numbers.
Helix. I would listen to that wondering about whether your walking is becoming obsessive. Not to give up the walking, but maybe to introduce some other aspects such as stopping to enjoy your surroundings, or introducing some stretching exercises or sitting and doing some relaxing breathing exercises. I know that walking is healthy, but even healthy activity can be done in a unhealthy way.
Yes, this is true what Huia says, if it's a pathological/clinical obsession. I was thinking when posting that obsession probably isn't the right word for mine, but I was also thinking people generally use the word quite loosely, so I went with it. People say autistic people have obsessions and I have read up and analysed the concept of obsession and I disagree (unless it is a co-occurring mental health condition). I think it gets conflated with hyperfocus, and what I have is hyperfocus, which can look the same, but is a positive thing which I need, because of how my mind works. I am happiest when I have something to focus on in depth. And same for other autistic people I've asked about this and talked to about it. But that is me and if what you have is a mental health issue, then that is different. I do all those things that Huia mentions on my walks and they are good things to do. I need to often stop and sit on a bench.
I can get quite obsessive about things, I tend to have hobbies I get very intense about for a year or two and then they fade. I do find having a Fitbit does mean I exercise more, but I can end up walking around the house to get my steps up. I try not to let it bully me, but don't always succeed. @piglet, my husband always says commuting is good exercise and it's true. I didn't have a step counter when I worked, but I know the one morning a week I volunteer I end up expending far more calories just working in a charity shop. I'd love to know how much I walked when I was working.
Goodness me! I have surprised myself by signing up for the walk 1000 miles by 31.12.21 challenge. This is most unlike me! So is the relative enthusiasm that still exists 5 days into the challenge! I've done 10.5 miles so far, mostly outside but with a couple of Leslies (Walk a mile in 15 minutes) when I've been pushed for time. I still have to do a mile today but it's cold and snowy and I feel not very inclined to go out. Still, I will hoick myself out shortly.
That's great Dormouse and good to start as soon as with the new year.
A mile in 15 mins is a jog in my world!
I ended 2020 with 2.9k miles on the clock as it were - an average distance of 7.9m / day. I'm slowly winding it in for 2021 so I don't wear my joints out.
Comments
Let it rain who cares
I've a train upstairs
Which works in jerks
With a string sort of thing
or something like that!
You sound more like the one about John who "Had Great Big Waterproof Boots on; John had a Great Big Waterproof Hat, John had a Great Big Waterproof Mackintosh - And that (Said John) Is That."!
Thanks for the reminder of those rhymes; I'm going to spend part of today reading them. It's pouring with rain and I'm feeling sad because our son has gone back to his own house up north this morning, after a few days with us (work-related).
I have to say I can't read the A.A. Milne verses now without being reminded of a parody I came across years ago:
Hush! Hush! Nobody cares!
Christopher Robin has fallen down stairs.
/tangent
I've been trying to walk most days and have a step counter that helps me aim for 10,000 steps. I also lost weight at Slimming World this week, for the first time in a long time. I just need to get my head back into the right place about it and keep it there.
Blood on the carpet, blood on the mat
Christopher Robin's castrated the cat
Yesterday my board for tap dancing at home arrived. It's 4 ft by 2 ft 6in. I had no idea what it would look like, but now I can say that it looks like a giant-sized kitchen chopping board!! It has rounded corners of course, is white and solid wood and at one end there is handle-hold hole, just like my chopping board. My son came down to help unpack but also to se it for himself, and once on the floor, I can get my hand underneath, get hold of it and stand it up against the wall. Perfect! I put my tap shoes on of course to give it a try and it is going to be just right I think. Watch this space!
Bearing in mind my energy levels, 20 - 30 minutes will be my limit at any one time, I think!
Half an hour of tap-dancing? <notworthy>
Half an hour's tap dancing! I stand in awe - rather than the collapsed state I would be in if I tried it. Well done.
Next year - I am looking to uninstall this app which is driving me obsessive with the walking and will perhaps look to do something more akin to Dormouse - I love the idea of 15min mile as that would bring some cardio with it. I will also be looking to trade the walking shoes for a yoga mat and stretch some of the muscles that have been rather neglected in the poundings on the street.
I'm in awe of anyone who can tap-dance for any length of time. Respec' there!
It would have been even better if I'd remembered to take my towel.
So am I! Where's that "killingme" smilie when I need it?
It could have been worse: he might have forgotten his bathing-trunks ...
A combination of the paper towelling thoughtfully provided for hand sanitising, plus cunning use of the hairdryer in unorthodox places, saved the day. Annoyingly I remembered both shower gel and deodorant!
So many visuals going on with all that!
@Helix, I average about 15,000 st.eps a day too I never realised how many that adds up to in a year. I try not to let my fitbit (other fitness trackers are available) bully me, but don't always succeed
It's definitely more than April which was my worst month since I began recording my walking back in 2016. Then it was for physical health-related reasons, now it's just as much because I enjoy it!
However, I think I'd agree most of this year's walking has been less enjoyable and more duty as I've scarcely been out of the local area whilst trying to keep up my preferred amount of walking.
In any case, am in an even better case for 6m by year end and if I do have to self-isolate, it is still doable without a big push.
In December if it gets chillier, I am sure I will be enjoying more time closer to my radiator!
Unless people where you live are more restrained than people here you will get lots of comments like "where's the snow?" which I either ignore or or stop and discuss the origins of Nordic poles ( a summer alternative to keep skiers fit for skiing).
If you can get access to a copy of The Ultimate Nordic Pole Walking Book by Klaus Schwanbeck - (the libraries copy was 2014) it has techniques and exercises that are really helpful, but there is a lot of info on the internet too.
I started by doing a WEA course, which wasn't absolutely necessary but I wanted to learn something different and the woman taking the course was fun. Then I fell down the steps at home onto concrete and damaged a knee,. I limped around for a while then saw a woman with her poles and realised I could use them to help my knee and my walking confidence, so I bought some online. Now, unless I am on my bike, I use my poles all the time. I left them behind in a bus shelter once and never expected to se them again, so bought another pair. Two weeks later the lost property at the bus company rang - now I have two pair.
Best unintended consequence - children stand up for me on the bus - woman with grey hair and two walking sticks, must be really decrepit.
Mr Boogs has made me a standing desk so I don’t sit down until lunch time. Interestingly I can’t stand still for very long so spend less time on the iPad and do more housework.
A win (of sorts! 🥴).
I’d like to try these, but will need a solution for the dog. 🤔
I can’t possibly walk without her! 🐕
If any more of my clothes get too big, I'll let you know ...
@piglet, my husband always says commuting is good exercise and it's true. I didn't have a step counter when I worked, but I know the one morning a week I volunteer I end up expending far more calories just working in a charity shop. I'd love to know how much I walked when I was working.
A mile in 15 mins is a jog in my world!
I ended 2020 with 2.9k miles on the clock as it were - an average distance of 7.9m / day. I'm slowly winding it in for 2021 so I don't wear my joints out.
Yoga is entering stage right but I do get bored!