Self care stories
#LifethisWeek with Denyse, has the optional prompt of sharing Self Care stories...with that in mind I’m sharing something I’ve found to be fun, as well as good for me, in the virtual world.
Virtual challenges
I’ve discovered the fun of cycling the world while cycling around my local area.
There are a few apps around that allow you to join a virtual challenge, either on your own or in a group, and charts your progress on your selected route, anywhere in the world.
I was made aware of these challenges by some blogging buddies and I loved the idea. You can use a variety of activities, my main ones are cycling and walking.
So far I have cycled from Split to Dubrovnik in Croatia, while cycling on my local rail trail and never actually leaving my neighbourhood (it’s a bit hard to leave Australia at the moment).
Some of these apps are free and others you pay a fee to join. Of course the free challenges don’t give the amount of detail, such as detailed maps, coffee stops, places of interest, postcards and planting of real trees along the way.
So far I have started with the free app, Myles, and am happy with it for the moment. It is a simple matter of my Strava app automatically adding my kilometres cycled (or walked) towards my selected challenge. I then check on my progress and look longingly at the map!
Other blogging friends have talked about these types of challenges and were the main reason I started looking at them. Donna wrote about her experiences here – Parallel Landscapes and Erica has written about her hike around Iceland here in her post The Honeymoon Period. It is a great way of ‘seeing’ the world, wouldn’t you agree?
I’ve now moved onto cycling the UK Coast to Coast and every kilometre I cycle here in Tumbarumba, adds to my journey across England. I’ve still got a way to go!
Here’s a photo from my ‘actual’ ride along the Tumbarumba to Rosewood Rail Trail earlier this week. The weather was a bit different to the UK I can assure you!
Fit Fab Feb
Sue from Women Living Well After 50, (I like to call her my personal trainer) has a February challenge happening on her blog and Facebook group, called FitFabFeb (but I get mixed up and call it FitFatFeb). So far we’ve been working on increasing our minutes of intentional movement and adding more vegetables into every meal. Week 3 is all about stretching our minds.
It’s great to have encouragement, support and accountability and many of us are joining in sharing our efforts and recipes. It’s helping to keep me on track.
Do you have any thoughts to share?
These types of challenges help me stay active, mentally and physically, so I see them as a great tool to have in my self care toolkit!
What are your favourite ways of looking after your self care?
Have a great week ahead and thanks Denyse for another great prompt that got me thinking and sharing!
Becoming bold in 2021 and taking control of my self care.
Deb xx
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Everyone has a story to tell!
Deb is a young-at-heart & active 60+ blogger/retiree, after being made redundant from her 22-year career managing education programs in a men’s correctional centre (jail). She now spends her time reading, blogging, riding her ebike and travelling. Deb was awarded a Bravery Award from the Queen when she was 17 after a tragic accident – a definite life changing moment! She is married with 3 grown-up daughters & has 4 grandchildren. You can read more of Deb’s story here
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Oh Deb I love the idea of those virtual cycling tours. I’ve seen some virtual walking challenges as well – setting a goal of walking some famous trek and then contributing to it each day / week. I guess it’s nice to have a goal and then the sense of achievement….
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Yes virtual walking and cycling challenges seem to be all the rage at the moment Deb, it’s something a bit different as we can’t actually travel to these places. The sense of achievement is real believe me!
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I love the way you have connected the real world and virtual world Deb. I admit my self care has improved somewhat thanks to Sue’s reminder about veggies and moving more. Very helpful to have a group in which to be supported.
Thank you so much for linking up for #lifethisweek. Next week, the optional prompt is
8/51 Explore. 22 Feb. I hope to see you there and I wish you well for the week ahead. Denyse. #lifethisweek #linkup #Mondays https://www.denysewhelan.com.au
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Yes Denyse, connecting the real world to the virtual world has been a fun thing to do recently. I love the feeling of achievement and the fun aspect of it all. Sue’s challenges have been a great reminder as you say, and so much support to everyone involved. She’s a real champion!
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I’ve seen these virtual challenges doing the rounds of the interwebs. If I was a cyclist or runner or swimmer, I’d probably take it up but seeing as most of what I do is strength-based training, there’s nothing like this out there. That said, cycling from Split to Dubrovnik would be a trek! 😀 Hope you have a lovely week, Deb!
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Yes I can see the drawback in certain types of exercise, as you say. Not sure how a virtual challenge could include strength training but there’s a market opening if you hit on the right idea Sanch!
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I am excited to read more about your virtual challenge, Deb. It looks like you still have some good graphics/photos with your app. I am surprised how motivating it is to be part of this challenge. You are doing amazing. I am at approximately 300km which is 25% of my walking Iceland route. Lots of snow here the past couple of days and tough slogging away, yet, one foot in front of the other. It is nice to feel we are walking as a group, although in different parts of the world. Thank you for the shout out. I look forward to connecting soon.xx
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Thanks Erica, you were the inspiration behind this post as you started me thinking of the Iceland trip! It’s a great way to stay motivated. Cycling seems to chew up the kilometres much quicker than walking, and you are going great with your efforts, especially in snow! I also like the idea of us walking together despite being on opposite sides of the world. Always love chatting with you xx
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We inspire each other, Deb. xx
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Those virtual challenges sound a fun way of seeing somewhere new, when you can’t see somewhere new!
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My thoughts exactly Deb! One day soon we may be able to see somewhere new!
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Hi Deb – I love your virtual cycling adventures – it’s a great way to keep pushing those pedals around, and you’re very fortunate to have that wonderful rail trail on your doorstep.
Now my calf is almost back to normal, I’m back to walking and aiming for my 10,000 steps each day. I’d like to do more, but it’s SO hot here atm that I just can’t bring myself to go out into the heat any more than I’m doing for now – maybe when Autumn sets in I’ll up my count a little more.
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Hi Leanne, the rail trail has been so good for us to get out and about on. The challenges are a fun way to stay motivated I find. I’m glad your calf is almost back to normal, it can be so debilitating and annoying when you can’t do the exercise you usually do! Our mornings are starting to get cooler, so autumn isn’t too far away for us. Stay cool!
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Hi Deb FitFatFeb made me laugh! I have taken part in similar walking challenges on my Fitbit App. It’s a trail through a mountainous area in the US. I must take a look at the one you suggest. I do challenges on Fitbit with other people, to get the highest step count. It all helps with motivation. Daily exercise is definitely one of my self care activities, as well as yoga, journalling and colouring in. Regards, Christina
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Thanks Christina, it’s been good to be involved in Sue’s FitFabFeb challenge, she is so generous and supportive. Anything that helps keep us motivated is a winner in my eyes, so well done on your Fitbit challenges.
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What a fabulous idea! It would be so motivating! I had a good chuckle over the Fit Fat Fab too LOL I’ve just found a new Pilates class. It’s run by Physiotherapists so I can claim on my private health which makes it more affordable than other options. So that’s my latest contribution to my self-care. I’m going twice a week and really enjoying it so far. The next self care on the agenda is a 6 night holiday at the Gold Cast later this week. Much needed. Hoping it doesn’t rain the entire time we’re there though! Have a great week Deb. xo
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Your Pilates class sounds good Min, great find! Enjoy your trip to the Gold Coast, we’re off to Brisbane to see our daughter and grandson who is turning 1, next week! Fingers crossed no border closures! Thanks for your visit 🙂
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I have seen several virtual challenges on line and have been intrigued. Now you have got me thinking I should try one 🙂 Thanks for the inspiration 🙂
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Yes i’d recommend them Laura, especially the free ones to start with. It can help with motivation and they’re fun too!
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Thanks!
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Those cycling challenges are so cool! I love that you can try some of them out for free. At the beginning of the pandemic, I did some virtual races (some of them for free). I liked the free ones – I don’t really need the medals or T-shirts that most races give out as premiums. FitFabFeb (or FitFatFeb) sounds awesome!
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Thanks Laurie, the free apps work for me at the moment, as I don’t need the tshirts or medals either. It seems we really are all living in a virtual world at times.
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I always say ‘ You can’t pour from an empty cup’ or like on the aeroplanes (remember those??) ‘Fix your own oxygen mask before helping others with there’ – bottom l;ine is, you need to be your best in order to be able to support everyone else. And for women, there seems to be no escaping that role…so make sure you look after yourself! Def not selfish at all, just essential! (and here’s hoping you get to do some of those rides in the real world soon!)
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Yes that’s so true Lydia, no escaping the role at all. It’s not selfish at all to take care of number 1! I can’t wait to get back out there in the ‘real’ world!
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Hi Deb the virtual challenges have been a highlight for me too. I’m loving the Iceland challenge. I’m looking forward to doing one on the bike 🚲 when my arm is ready for it #lifethisweek
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Thanks Jen, I hope you can get back on the bike soon. I find cycling much easier for knocking off the kilometres than walking (obviously) and love the challenges. You are a champion at them in real life and virtually.
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Hi, Deb – You’ve made awesome progress on your cycling, as well as on your #FitFabFeb initiative! Challenges, like the ones that you have mentioned here, can give us that extra bit of motivation, especially during these trying times. After all, who doesn’t like that extra gold star…or that kick in the pants, depending on how we are wired?!
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Hi Donna, my cycling is going really well and I’m feeling good as a result. You’ve been an inspiration too!
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Hi Deb, congratulations on your Walking/Cycling challenge and I think the UK one will be next on my list. I’m surprised how long it is taking me to complete my Iceland loop so I will need to up my distances during the week to add to my long Saturday runs. Thanks so much for the shout out and of course I’m your personal trainer! I love doing the annual #FitFabFeb although laughed when I saw you thought it was #FitFatFeb! I’ve appreciated your joining in and participating it certainly encourages me to do more for my readers and the group. Take care and loved the quote at the beginning! #lifethisweek
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Thanks for the inspiration and support Sue! The Iceland loop is huge, so I’m not surprised it’s taking a while.
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