google pedometer is my friend.

[rootofnewt]

I am going to go for daily walks. This is an attempt to straighten out my sleep.

When the "experts" say that exercise is a necessary component in the treatment of fibro, they aren't kidding. Yes, if you have other disorders, things get complicated, but if I don't exercise, I can't sleep. My sleep is crappy, I wake up, I can't fall asleep, the pain bleeds through every attempt to sleep. Exercise affects how well we sleep by affecting that alpha-delta sleep anomaly most fibromites have. And unlike work, I don't have to think to walk. I have to watch out for cars and poison ivy, but I don't have to interact with other humans unless I'm in the mood for it.

The two-three weeks of iron infusions kept me away from the gym. The vein pain affected my ability to use my arms effectively and I was just plain worn out by the sitting still for two hours. So I opted for minor walks. It wasn't enough. My sleep got crappier and crappier and I started worrying about a CFIDS crash (I've been in a CFIDS remission for several weeks). The five-mile hike I did Saturday has done more for my sleep than anything else. I slept that night. Not perfectly, but better than usual.

So, starting today, I'm walking at least two miles a day. Now, I may switch this over to biking at the gym when the weather decides to remain oppressively hot and humid. I'll also be doing hydrotherapy, because I can't walk without it.

Anyone who wants to join me is welcome. And I won't lie--my walks do entail rest breaks, reading breaks, camera breaks, water breaks, etc. Sometimes I'll carry a bamboo mat to throw myself down on the UVA lawn for awhile. I like to sit in the pavilion gardens and read. I just walk to get there. And if I get too exhausted, I hop on a bus or call boy and ask for a ride. But I'm just trying to WALK. It can be on city streets, on the rivanna trail, or in the mountains. Heck, I'd settle for the indoor track at ACAC. And water walking at the ACAC pool is always an option, too.

Who's in?

Comments

[briskpepper.livejournal.com]

ped-o-meter!

I think i scored like a 8 on that.

[crazypumpkin.livejournal.com]

OOooo, I wish I lived near you. I'd totally be in for that kind of walking. I hope it helps you.
I wish I had a safer place to walk near me.

[krasota.livejournal.com]

You live near Adams Morgan, no? When I lived in DC, I took the bus/metro to areas I liked to walk: Cathedral grounds, Georgetown (neighborhoods), Congressional Cemetery, the Mall. Thursday nights at the Smithsonian galleries were a favorite time. I also walked at the Zoo an awful lot, but I'm not sure you're available when it's open.

[queensheba.livejournal.com]

I wish we were closer together; I like to walk. It's getting pretty hot here so I think I might have to start switching to my treadmill, but I like walking outside SO MUCH BETTER. It's hard on Georgia (and me!) to walk as long and as fast as I'd like in this weather.

[ismene.livejournal.com]

My legs hurt like hell from the minimal walking I did yesterday. Of course, cemetaries are bumpy walking.

[eilonwy.livejournal.com]

You know you can count me in!! At least, 'til I moves away. :( Sadness.