Big Fitness Achievement for Me
 

I use an app called Map My Walk to track my walks around the neighborhood.

Today, I hit a big milestone: 1 mile. Well, actually 1.05 miles.

I have been slowly working up to this distance for months now, and I am very proud of my progress so far.

When I first started my post-concussion walks, I couldn't even do a .25 of a mile without getting dizzy and nauseous, plus experiencing tons of head pressure and intense headaches. I'd feel extremely fatigued when I finished, as if I had just run a marathon or something.

Walking also caused a major sensory overload for me - the cars, the people, the curves of the road, the noise - it was all too much for me. I have found that wearing sunglasses and walking during times when my neighbors are at work/school (so very little traffic or noise) helps a lot.

I pulled some of my stats off of Map My Walk today. A few months ago, I walked half a mile, and it took me almost 40 minutes. Today I walked 1 mile, and it only took me 20 minutes and 12 seconds.

Prior to the concussion, I walked at least 2 miles a day, and it was not uncommon for me to do 5-7 miles in one day if I had nothing else going on. Growing up, I ran cross country and track. Being athletic was a big part of my life.

I was terrified that I'd never have the ability to walk for more than 5 or 10 minutes again, so I am so thankful that things are getting easier on me physically. I see the light at the end of the tunnel.

I hope to be able to do a 5K again one day, and I'm starting to believe that it might actually happen. Thanks for letting me share.

I am so happy for you!! That is huge!

I was working out about 2 hours a day before my accident... right now, 10 minutes is about all I can do... it is very depression! and I feel very defeated!

I am just over the moon happy for you! hopefully we can all get back to what we love one day in the sooner than later future...

I'm also very happy for you! that's an achievement!

I couldn't walk anywhere last year, also used to walk/hike a lot but still have to be careful, always walk in quiet places, too hard with many people/noises around.

Very happy for you and I hope you continue to improve, don't do too much too soon though!! :)

yay!!!!!!!
 

Walking is my fav. exercise, and it helped me a lot with recovery too. 1.5 is a great mile stone.

Keep it all going gently in that direction.

Take care

poetrymom

Wonderful! Keep progressing!!!

Nice PoetryMom! How liberating it must feel to get out there and go!

I take short walks as of now. It doesn't get the blood going though. I bought two walking sticks to use when I walk to get my arms going and get some cardio. Haven't tried it yet but hoping it works.

Target sells them in a two pack for $20. Good quality.

There's a lot online about walking with walking sticks.

Keep it up! :You-Rock:

Great job! :winner_first_h4h:

That's great progress, good for you! It's always nice to be able to look back and see how far you've come.

Congratulations!!!!

That's good to hear, walking helped me a lot, a couple of times in the early days I felt awful while on a walk, foggy headed and anxious but persevered and always felt much better afterwards. I hear it stimulates brain blood flow which concussion negatively affects. I'm sure you'll build it up further bit by bit and walking will no longer be an issue.