walking on a treadmill vs. the street

[Guest guest]

Jo,

You've got it. Walking on the street I too have some fear, not

necessarily about falling, since I am on sidewalks here, but it is

altogether different as an experience than walking on a treadmill. When I am

walking on the sidewalks, I hav 2 dogs with me - I am constantly watching them,

also watching out for stray dogs, and other critters so when my dogs get ready

to " pull " I have to be prepared to hold them back and in control.

Walking on a treadmill gets a bit boring for me, but changing the

incline and speed helps so I feel there is more control there.

What I really love is walking in the pool. Lately I have been doing

just more of this - walking 40 or 50 laps to begin, then swimming 40 or 50 laps,

just for a bit of a break in my program and to mix it up.

Walking in water totally takes all stress off joints and I still get a cardio

workout and it seems this helps my balance be better on land too.

For all of the above I wear my shoes. When I walk in sand, no shoes, and I walk

slower, but my feet/ankles seem to get a better workout.

I also walk backwards - in the pool - great for strengthening calf muscles.

~ Gretchen

P.S. I have never thought of putting my dogs on a treadmill, but now

that I think about it, they might like it LOL

[Guest guest]

Hello,

The lack of the weight of the shoes may have something to do with it.

Bob

[Guest guest]

Gretchen,

Very inspiring email this one!!!! Gosh, you are fit and strong really!

I can not do all that yet. At the pool I need to try those exercises

you said, walking backwards, and also walking so many laps like

that...hahaha!!!

I don't know how to swim either...but I do exercises in my way and I

do many laps clapping my feet and also do like jumping many times,

swinging my legs up and down, etc...I really try my best there!

Well, maybe it would be too much for me right now to do so many

things.

You always been exercising and maybe that is why you can do all

that. Well-done!

Now, I am enjoying the treadmill and today I have done a bit more, 1

1/2 kilometre...plus others machines there.

The pool has not been too warm and this put me off, I don't stay at

the pool for too long like you, I rather exercises at the gym

instead.

So far so good, and I really hope to improve further! At least better than

nothing Gretchen...walking on the treadmill for me is a Victory after all. I was

not able to do that before, remember? Now, I can. Thank GOD! I really hope I

will get stronger and stronger in my legs and feet and then I will lose this

silly fear about doing long walks on the streets! Thanks for your great email!

Hugs

Joana