I love to walk, but its just getting me outside to actually start walking! I seem to find thousands of ways to postpone that.

But, like you Charry, after the walk it does feel good.

I used to walk at night around 5:00pm. But in the neighborhood I live it (Lake club), about every other house someone is outside, offering a cocktail or beer or just to chat.

There were times when my 2 mile walk would take me about 3hours to complete!

So, I either walk around 5:00am or 9:00pm. No disturbances at that time, except for a few dogs and we do have a number of coyotes roaming the golf course.

I have seen a fox and a rabbit and of course the Raccoons that live under the trailer next door..no porcupines though either, but I know there are coyotes closer to t.he bluffs about 20 minutes away from me and so far one Pom dog was taken from a backyard and one cat has been taken.
I can't walk at night because there's no sidewalks on my street and being a woman I have issues walking in the dark.
I need to have the sun shining when I go out too. I just seem to lack energy but today I did get out to the coffee place to get a decaf and a Canadian maple donut (me bad) but can't resist maple.
So I made it out today will try again later or tomorrow if the weather is nice. Charry

you made me smile (hard to do today I can tell you), thankyou.
I got a mental picture of you starting out on a brisk walk and with every house you past the walk got more and more staggered until you crawled up your steps beer in hand
Sound like 5pm would be the best time, beats meeting a coyote, they don't have beers!
And yes Charry, i'm the same, but I usually beat me and don't go.
Kylie

Yes, it's one reason I keep my horses. They DRAG me out.

I was telling someone the other day that the problem with this type of pain is that your body is telling you that if you just lay down and rest, it will help. Unfortunately, your body is lying. It is SO hard to overcome that feeling that you shouldn't be doing something if it hurts!

Glad you had a nice time out today! Good 4 you!!

i can't walk without pain. i have to use a cane and if i walk i have to stop every 100 ft or so. if is go to disneyland, i use the automated wheel chair to get around. it is a common problem. i have desire to walk but not the ability
jon

I have the same issue. I can't talk myself into getting out even in nice weather. I love being outside if I can talk myself into getting out. I do feel better after I do go for a nice walk tho usually

I have a hard time getting motivated to walk also, no matter the weather, but my little 1-yr-old pup Wally is what motivates me. He looks at me so expectently every morning that by 8:15 or so I can't take it any more and we go for that walk, even if it's raining or there's a crazy blizzard. I dread meeting the other people and their dogs (so the pups can meet) some days, but Wally gives me no choice. It's really not a good idea to not take Wally out with all his turbo energy - otherwise, he finds other things to occupy his time, like chewing up the carpet.

But you know what really blows? I don't know about you guys, but I've been finding that on the days that I feel totally motivated, I shower and get dressed, excited with plans to go have lunch, do errands, some shopping and going to the grocery store. I'm like nothing is a problem and I'm ready to rock. I get in the car and drive to the restaurant, get out of the car and go inside, and by the time I leave and am getting in my car again, I'm hurting, tired and have to pare down my list to the bare essentials. Each trip always seems to end with the grocery store and hauling in the bags and by then, I need another pain pill and have to just sit for a while.

So even when we get motivated, sometimes our plans are just beyond what we're really capable of doing and that really bothers me. It happened today and it's very frustrating. When will we be able to have those ful-filled days without the repercussions of increased pain and exhaustion?

I hope that you find yourself with a little more energy and motivation as the weather gets better and don't have the consequences that generally come with a spiney outing.

Cath

You totally described my daily routine. I look so forward to my days off to kick back and relax and end up doing everything I couldn't do on the days I work cuz I'm too worn out. But yet on my days off I get ready to go out shopping or even lunch and/or movie with my husband I'm flat beat and did I mention the pain? I just want to go on strike

In a neighborhood like yours I think that I could motivate myself to walk around 5PM!

Charry, I know how you feel. My problem is that I am usually in worse pain after a walk. Brings on the spasms.

Glad that you got to get out and enjoy some nice weather. Try to make it a regular routine and you will feel guilty if you miss a day of walking.

but the the pain set in and as you know i have has a rough few years so all i want to do is sit on my recliner ..but now i know i need to get fitter for my operation i have started to take my dog out again ..it's hard work but its so worth it .i come home hot and sweaty but after a shower its nice to get on the recliner and rest up ..but at least i know i am doing a little something to help myself ..i also find it better to walk at night
{ a little bit of something is better than nothing}
STRAKER

I would rather do 1 long walk 2 mi. or so. It's hard enough getting the motivation to go once. but since the surgery, the long walks, or more like a hike (I live in the mountains) aren't possible. and the Dr. wants me to do 4 shorter 20 min. walks.
That's 4 times I have to reach down and find the motivation to go! Needless to say, I don't always get the 4 in! But I do feel better if I go. And to meet a goal is a mental boost.
Good luck, Jim

I did go out today twice! So that's a real achievement for me especially since my hour long subway ride yesterday to the Doctor's office. I'm going to try and make it out everyday now. I have to move it move it and just do it. Good for you Jim and everyone a little bit at a time. Take care. Charry

I found the best way to combat the desire to just stay in, is to create a daily routine or schedule and stick to it. For instance here's a rough idea of what I mean.

AM
-Get up, shower and put on fresh clothes
-coffee and breakfast (healthy breakfast)
-relax, muddle around house
-get out for a walk
-relax, muddle around house

Midday
-lunch
-get out for a walk
-relax, muddle around house
-get out for a walk

PM
-eat small healthy dinner
-relax, watch some TV or read
-short walk
-sleep

I like your style!
Jim

as i mentioned before, i have the desire but the ability to walk is another issue. if anyone works, maybe you also have this problem. after working with high school students and insensitive administrators who don't give a hecky darn about my physical problems for a week, i am so exhausted after 5 days that it is hard to get motivated to get out. just to get up and take a shower and get dressed is a major deal. if i can do that, it is easier for me to get out but as i said, i can only walk for a while before the pain and exhaustion forces me to sit down and rest.
rest=motivation and motivation=getting out=pain=rest=walking again.
jon

Does it have to be walking, though?

I wonder if anyone has a recumbent bicycle? I always think they look like something I could do if I didn't have my riding. But walking is tough.

It's just that moving in whatever way you can, and getting outside, is so important.

Yes I have a stationary recumbent bicycle I have used during the winter and especially while taking Lyrica I had such swelling in my leg and foot. It was a good investment and now they're even cheaper to buy at $149! I paid $249. for my bike. My husband uses it everyday for an hour and he even had knee surgery and he ices afterwards. I found it was great for my sore back the seat is comfortable. Best to let your Dr. know you're using any exercise equipment though. Take easy. Charry

No, I want a real recumbent bicycle to take outside! The getting out and doing something fun is as important as the exercise!

http://prescriptiongiant.com/medico-product.php?%20%20cPath=742_751&prod...

http://www.jazzygearsports.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=TRI-5011R&...

Doesn't it look like it would be easier than walking?

I have been looking at the outdoor tricycle recumbant bikes for several weeks.

They are sooooo cool!

I'm trying to find a gently used one, as the one I like is beaucoup $$$$. I need one that sits up higher off of the ground, as my fusion won't let me sit flat on the ground.

I can picture Charry now... just cycling away with two checker board flags attached to the back of it.

Super cute!

Tammy

I wouldn't mind the first one...I'll look for a gently used one also. We'll see... Thanks.. Charry

Hi all I got me a treadmill to walk on but my little dog seems to like it more than i do, she gets on and walks and looks at me like she is doing something big
I have posted a link to her little pictures I put together, might make someone smile and we need all those we can get, this little dog has helped me so much with my deppression
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JetIDVAkC0Y

If it were not for my little dog it would be hard for me to get out and walk but she MAKES me go out twice a day. She gets soooo excited when I pick up her lead and harness. Yes, it makes my foot and leg pain worse but she needs her walks.
When we had so much snow I could not walk her and the first day I was able to take her out she refused to come back in until she got good and ready.
Happy to hear you forced yourself to go out. It is good to get out in the fresh air.
Cheers
Patsy W

Here's what gets me out and about

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x182/estarianne/smokey%20SJC/P1000333...

I am feeling good after the injections and might have overdone it yesterday! I had my lesson in the AM, and then went back to the barn and walked with my daughter and her horse for quite a while. Then I was so horrified by my latest pics that I did a bunch of exercises

I used have a horse almost identical in colour, but no where near as well cared for that's for sure.
Do you do competitions? Looks like dressage comps to me.
I love horses, my 6 year old wants to start having lessons and when we can afford it i'll certainly be encouraging her.
How many horses do you have?
Kylie

Yes, that was my first show, last year. I have 2 horses, wish I could have more but it's too expensive!

They are both in dressage training

p.s. Before you look at the pictures and assume that the fact that I'm out there means that I'm not hurting as much as you are, please know that although riding itself is rarely painful, the huge responsibility of caring for my horses often is painful and exhausting.

I am out there because I really just want it that bad. Riding has become a sort of line in the sand between me and disability.

And although I'm sure physically we're all capable of different levels of activity, and we should always follow our doctors' advice, I think we all need to draw that line and push disability back behind it. Whether it's walking your dog around the block or riding in a dressage show, or even just taking a shower every day for a week, those are what pushes total disability away and keeps us able.

it just makes an a$$ out of u and me
I'm actually in awe that you push yourself that hard.
By the way how did you know I didn't shower yesterday???

You look great and nice horse! I think you should do what you can and it's true certain things can force you to get yourself out and taking care of horses is a big responsibility. Also walking the dog like Patsy or Kylie and all getting the kids ready for school is also a tough job. I don't have children or anything really to get me outside.
I just have the hope that I can someday get back to work and help others. But if it's to be it will happen. All I can do is take it one day at a time and do what I'm able including pushing myself to go out and get the walking exercise. This fatigue seems to be getting to me and don't know where it's coming from but I know the warm weather is coming and that seems to lift my spirits. Thanks for the support and get outside Everyone. Charry

Charry, before my accident I was already fighting a disorder that caused really debilitation fatigue. The horses were actually supposed to be the line in the sand between me and the fatigue- I wasn't supposed to fall off and break my back and have to draw new lines everywhere

Is there anything you love? Do you love nature? Most local sanctuaries or preservation areas have hosted walks, groups, etc. Do you love art? Maybe an annual pass to an art museum? Maybe it could even encourage you to buy some supplies and go outside and try to create some landscapes!

You need to let what you love rule your life instead of the pain. I'm really sure about that, more sure than I've ever been about anything.

Yes I love nature! I'm hoping the poppies are going to grow in my side garden this year. My neighbor has lovely red poppies and cut and planted them for me in the garden so looking forward too those coming up. I also have a beautiful front garden with a walnut tree and the tigerlilies I have come out twice earlier than other flowers. But my garden is lovely and my backyard has lilies that line the back fence and I get lovely fragrant yard.

I'm feeling a lot better since my injections and hopefully next months inj's will have me feeling even better.I'm dragging my feet filling out my pension papers hoping I will get back to work. That's my goal but if not I will accept the fact that I worked for over 20 years at a job I loved and just hope for the best. I'm in my 50th year so I have 10 years to go working to get a decent pension. I have my nieces that I love like my own and my cousin's daughter she left behind(she died and was like a sister to me she was 45 and OD'd) with my older Aunt by marriage and looking forward to being more active in her life as time goes by...
So I don't have children but these children are my future. My husband worked with thoroughbred horses at the race track and I know the hard work involved with looking after horses. So know it's hard work for you. Thanks for your support. Charry

Kygirl,
what a cute video and excellent song!! I too have doggies that require I get out and walk with them. Some days are longer walks than others, due to my current pain levels.

Best to all,
Traci

I quoted 2 things happyHBmom said. I could not have said this any better. The number 1 thing is focusing on something you love and doing it. I've never been more sure either. If you let the pain rule you, that is all your life is. It's not acceptable to me.

I also agree that we have different levels of pain and mobility. So doing SOMETHING, ANYTHING, is better than NOTHING.

My love is road racing. My car is mostly built towards that. I was going to several race tracks with 2-6 hour drive from my house. I stopped doing it because it just go so painful to prep the car and be in it. I do all my own work on the car. You can't be out on track pumped up full of meds either. You become a danger to everyone else. So I would take no meds from Friday morning until Sunday night after I got home. I'd be driving home in tears sometimes.

Now after surgery I still have some pain. I'm starting to work on my car and get it ready. As soon as the surgeon clears me in 2 months I'm out there. To help motivate me my wife took a picture of me on track. Had it blown up into a 4ftx6ft poster and mounted. It is on the wall in my office. I see it everyday at work. I have my goal and my motivation.

Everyone has to define a Quality of Live for themselves. Then work towards that goal. That is what drove me to surgery and what drives me to recovery.

It isn't easy. I get pain daily. I do my exercises, PT, walk, take muscle relaxer and/or pain killer as needed (less is more for me). I'm working full time again because I have too. Some days just plain suck! You have to push past those and keep focused on the goal. That is why you have to have goals. Humans are typically a goal oriented breed of animal

So sit down. Write down what you can do, want to do, and dream of doing. Then start writing the steps to get there. Then execute! Small steps is better than no steps.

Graham

I would love to say that I agree with you 100%, but some of us have a disease, such as Arachnoiditis, that just takes control of your life no matter what you do. I'm at odds with this disease on a daily basis. Most of the time I win but the losses are starting to rack up more than I like. I can no longer put pain in the background. It's always there, 24x7. Currently, I have found focusing on making it through the day works best for me and let tomorrow worry about itself. Some people don't get better, don't level off, they just progressively gets worse.

Dave

I understand what you are saying. There is no 100% in life, other than death and taxes,..

That said. Many on here do not have things like Arachnoiditis, or MS. or something of that nature. Many have back or neck pain and like Charry said in the thread title. They have to force themselves to get started. That loss of motivation that pain creates is a fight to overcome.

My point was simply that I agree with what HB said. You need some thing you love to do that will help motivate you. Some goal to achieve. That is what has helped me. At one point all I worried about was getting through today. Now I have goals and things I want to focus on. The things I used to do that I am going to resume. I could just quit and dwell on the fact that my back hurts, surgery hurts, etc... but I'm not interested in that as my focus. Those things I love to do are my focus.

I'm sure you would love to be hitting the links right now. I know you are not a quitter. So I understand what you are saying. There are still things you can do beyond just getting through today Dave. I hope there is something else out there for you.

Graham

I still have a lot of life to live. I have every intention of playing golf this spring. Like I said, I take each day as it comes. I try not to look any further than today for the most part.

Dave