Walking back to Happiness: "The US Surgeon... - CLL Support

CLL Support

22,325 members38,394 posts

Walking back to Happiness

AussieNeil profile image
AussieNeilAdministrator
18 Replies

"The US Surgeon General last week issued another call to action to get his nation walking. Faced with the fact that 50% of the US adult population (a statistic replicated in other western countries) suffers from chronic disease or cancer, he has argued that any increase in activity is going to bring significant public health benefits." Particularly challenging is that "28% or men and 32% of women reported that they had not done any physical activity that lasted more than 10 minutes in the previous week of being asked."

But even if we do walk to improve our health, based on research cited in the article referenced below, it seems that we need to walk at sufficiently fast pace for walking to be beneficial. I'm not convinced about that and suggest we need more research in this area. I know walking was a major factor in helping me to recover from severe illness courtesy of my CLL impaired immune system. There's also growing evidence that walking can help us overcome or at least reduce fatigue that can often accompany CLL.

David Glance, (who works in the area of promoting activity using wearables and also owns shares in Fitbit) and is the Director of UWA Centre for Software Practice at University of Western Australia, has this to say about the benefits of walking:

theconversation.com/why-wal...

Perhaps I should leave my camera at home occasionally and go for a brisk walk?

Neil

PS If you know where the inspiration for my title came from - Congratulations! :D For those still guessing; "I'm not responsible" might give you a clue in addition to perhaps being part of the answer as to why some people don't consider exercise important for their health.

Written by
AussieNeil profile image
AussieNeil
Administrator
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
18 Replies
Cllcanada profile image
CllcanadaTop Poster CURE Hero

CLL is a long and winding road...walking a good bit of it has been extremely beneficial for me...

Never leave your camera at home... Neil... your shots are wonderful! .. the pictures you miss are the one's you will regret... I speak from a lifetime of... 'oh sh*t' where is my camera...

;-)

~chris

PE1234 profile image
PE1234

I find taking a walk really helps me overcome fatigue .I can feel quite tired but once I have a walk I come back refreshed .Must say though I only stroll .

What a great picture .I enjoy both yours and Chris's photos .

Brenda

Psmithuk profile image
Psmithuk

Please don't stop taking photos, they are so lovely and atmospheric, and like Cllcanada I've never got my camera with me whenever I see something worth snapping.

'Walking back to happiness' was, as far as I remember, a song by Sandie Shaw, the barefoot singer, many years ago (she was the same age as my sister, who I hasten to add is 18 months older than me!). I don't know any other connections, perhaps someone will enlighten me?.

saintjohn profile image
saintjohn

I thought it was Helen Shapiro that sang that......could be wrong though

Kwenda profile image
Kwenda in reply to saintjohn

Helen it is..

youtu.be/QWWDyCkpsiw

metrolyrics.com/walking-bac...

Dick

PE1234 profile image
PE1234 in reply to saintjohn

You are right John

keepfit123 profile image
keepfit123 in reply to saintjohn

It was Helen Shapiro

Psmithuk profile image
Psmithuk in reply to saintjohn

yes, of course! Senior moment or CLL dusty brain?

Kwenda profile image
Kwenda

Walking is of course good…

But frankly ANYTHING that raises the heart rate and moves some muscles in the legs or arms will do the trick..

My preference is for cycling as this is easier on the knees than walking on hard tarmac, but also swimming is especially good in this regard.

Don’t forget that your neutrophils are prone to stick to the blood vessel walls and not circulate with the blood. Thus to gain the immune system benefits obtainable from your neutrophils you need to exercise some muscles and thus move the neutrophils around the body.

Dick

Peggy4 profile image
Peggy4

I think we should combine your two posts Neil. I shall be combining a (small) walk followed by a (large) glass of wine for best effect :-) Peggy.

Ansll profile image
Ansll

Thanks, Neil for your post and always appropriate photo! Walking has been my life saver this year despite exhaustion at times and new goals had to be set to regain fitness. Staying positive and making it a part of my social life boosted my energy after many physical relapses. I am rogaining (like orienteering ) again on Sunday! We are defending our Women's title from last year....mmm. To make a chance we will need to do 30+km in 6 hours, see how we go. I am so happy just to participate again and having fun (also not getting lost!!!) Ansll

meemsdream profile image
meemsdream

My husband and I are walking every nite. We both groan and moan before we go but are so glad we did by the time we get home. When we started this spring we were walking a block! Now we are up to a mile. Our walk is not brisk but we don't care. We are both proud of ourselves. It really helps if you have someone to walk with. Maria

sun_flower profile image
sun_flower

I play lots of bowls so love walking,I felt tired this morning and went for a stroll around the Marina and felt better after,I try not to give in to this awfull fatigue,Neil your photos are lovely

wroxham-gb profile image
wroxham-gb

The road to where? Very thought provoking. Brilliant photo.

Walking is something most of us can do, not sure about the speed bit though. I enjoy walking its good for body and mind.

Sue

AussieNeil profile image
AussieNeilAdministrator

It was indeed Helen Shapiro's hit song that came to mind when I was searching for a suitable title. Interesting to note that Helen Shapiro also covered the hit 'Walk on by', but thanks to those who provided appreciative feedback and encouragement, I will continue to take my camera with me on my walks and not walk on by photo opportunities :) .

Chrisgranny, I'll have to see if I can find a topic for one of Sandie's hits, though hopefully not 'Puppet on a String' or you have to push it to 'Make it go'. ;)

Neil

Psmithuk profile image
Psmithuk in reply to AussieNeil

Go for it, Neil, I'll probably get that one wrong as well! Glad to hear your photos (and Chris's) will continue to cheer me up. How about a calendar in aid of CLL research?

AussieNeil profile image
AussieNeilAdministrator in reply to Psmithuk

There was talk of a fund raising calendar or book and suggestions that it be discussed at the Niagara Falls Patient Education meeting, but I think everyone had too much fun catching up with each other. :) I'm certain that we'd have no trouble finding sufficient content for a book, let alone a calendar, but I wouldn't want to be involved in working out which photos to include!!

Neil

Cleanliver profile image
Cleanliver

A nice walk everyday is helping with my fatigue and my oncologist said I shouldn’t feel any fatigue since I’ve been at stage o for 7 years. And I agree any walking is better than no walking and getting out in the air is good for you. I was a baby in the 50 s and born in October and my mom said she used to put me outside in the cold to sleep. Something you wouldn’t t do today. Too dangerous.

You may also like...

Sleep walking into trouble

autoimmune haemolytic anaemia as a complication of CLL for three years, with two relapses after a...

We asked five experts: is walking enough exercise?

com/the-faster-you-walk-the-better-for-long-term-health-especially-as-you-age-97175 Neil

Bring back the old site

we were told that the new site would bring more benefits. Well it doesn't seem that way to me. As...

Post-inactivity muscle pain when walking.

a worker at my gym. My problem is that I can't walk more than a few steps without pain in my...

Happy 2018... Choose your Pooh Bear Character!

out of Owls book.. Wise.. Do a bit of research and learn about Cll but don't become all absorbed by...