62 • South Australia
Bushwalk and camping with Outdoor buddies/Angels
6 months
Bushwalking regularly again with friends.
Local daily walks
Follow Heart Foundation Six Week walking plan - walking every day for at least half an hour
Practice physio exercises
Floss & stretching Nerves exercises everyday
Spine/Neck/Pelvic/Sitting posture exercises every day
Balance exercises every day
Muscle strengthening excercises
See podiatrist to sort out shoes
Make an appointment!
Hi Julie, Good luck with your Bushwalking goal,
I was a keen bush walker/hiker having backpacked in New Zealand, Tasmania, Nepal, and in the Himalayas in Northern India.
After my stroke at 66, I practised balance , core and strength exercises for about an hour each day for about 2 years. I had been an exercise junkie prior to my stroke. And it paid off. Now I bushwalk and hope to do a couple days on th Routeburn track in New Zealand with my daughter when I visit her.
All the best
Ian
Hi Ian, we really miss the bush when we cant get there don't we, for the last 18 months I thought that I would never get out there again. Since I could move around I have basically only been doing short walks in my local area but I started proper physio for balance, core strength, neuro pain etc a few months ago and it's amazing how much I have improved. Of course your right, practicing every single day is the key. I went for my first proper bush walk a few days ago, I could only manage half an hour but I was out there and smiling. I feel more confident and know I will be able to do more in the future. Thanks and all the best to you too.
Toni - My best investment for bush walking was a pair of Black Diamond Women's Distance FLZ Trekking Poles. They're lightweight and telescopic so don't take up much space. They have enabled me to walk places that otherwise would have been inaccessible.
Toni is also part of a research study called i-Rebound which could also help you in your goal Julie. Click here to read more.
Hi Toni, I was thinking about trekking poles, I'll look into them now. I went to a coastal information day recently in which we had to walk over rocks, I didn't get very far and had to hang around on the flat sand feeling a bit glum. Things like trekking poles will open up my world a bit more. I have looked at the i-Rebound and applied, thanks for the info :)
Hey Julie,
I have let Toni know that you've commented. You can message her directly here.
Here are some more comments for you too.
Nicholas Martin - here is his blog.
I also have some trekking poles and they really helped me too. Mountain Warehouse also have some great walking gear at reasonable prices.
Another vote for trekking poles. I bought a pair of light telescopic Mountain Designs Stride poles. Small shock absorber tips and adjustable hand straps. Invaluable for maintaining balance on slopy and rough terrain. Nearly 18 months post stroke and I rarely use them now. My goal is to unndertake a hard 8km walk in a nearby national park. I can handle walks round 6km and slopes and some orugh ground, so it will be a good milestone on my recovery.