Dr. John Ratey Discusses Exercise and ADHD in New Book

GL,

Good for you! That's terrific! You walk every day?? I'm impressed.

Funny, I just read that report, too. I can't wait till this weather breaks here. I can't seem to get it together when it's so darn cold, though it really shouldn't be an excuse; there are ways to exercise in any weather.

Terry

Hey Terry,

I live in a community that has a Mall Walker program - (or once did). Each loop through the interior of the mall is 1 mile. In addition, there are quarter mile markers in the floor tile which helps to keep me motivated. I

I also time myself. I try to walk a 15 - 17 minute mile. This is the only type of exercise that I have been able to talk myself into doing in 25 years. I'm hoping if I stick with it long enough, I will be able to join Curves. Then perhaps from there I can work myself up to the level of a health club.

I also live in an area that has an extensive trail system throughout the city, two of which are along the bay. I walk there in the spring and summer. This is all thanks to our Parks and Recreation who had a vision more than 25 years ago to convert old, unused rail right of ways into trails. After that more trails were created by purchasing land for trails and green ways.

I learned the hard way that good walking shoes are important for those of us who are overwieght. Without them, problems develop over time, particularly if walking daily. That said, I was able to walk in my regular shoes for at least six weeks before my regular shoes bothered me. So you have time to establish the new habit before investing money. Don't worry about the shoes in the beginning, just get started! 

Grandma Lise

Grandma Lise,

It's great to see you're a walker.  That is such a healthy exercise.  My knees can't handle much of it, that's why I do the gentler oriental exercise arts.

Hey Stardust,

Sorry to hear you have arthritis. I think I'm beginning to get it in my hips. This is the part of getting older that I don't like. But then being young and inexperienced in the ways of the world has its downside too. I think I'd like to stay in my early 40's. Now if I could just figure out how to do that.

It's good that you're listening to what your body is telling you. What you're doing sounds like it's working well for you. That's where my Mom started. Years later, she's in her mid-70's now, she does aeorbics for seniors. Luckily she doesn't have arthritis.

Everytime I think about getting myself an exercise bicycle, I remind myself of how many friends I have with knee problems. It's tempting though because you can exercise and read at the same time!

Grandma Lise

Hi,

That is a terrific exercise regime- good for you!

We have loads of mall walkers out here, though I don't think there are any markers.

My problem is...I have been exercising during good weather for over 25 years but can't seem to handle the cold. We have a local church with a walking track that I sometimes use in the winter, but have never been successful sticking with it. I also have a (dusty) treadmill.

I simply love being outside. I know that once the weather breaks, I'll be outside again doing my sloooow jogging. Even when I was a young thing, I was never able to jog/run fast. And now that I'm older, I have to really be careful and only go every other day.

Your walk is about the speed of my jogs! But I know it doesn't matter, as long as we keep moving. What part of the country do you live in?

Terry

Hey Terry,

I live in the Pacific Northwest. You'd love the natural beauty here. We are bordered by a mountain, Puget Sound, and two international cities. We also enjoy the culture of a local University.

I come from a family of naturalists but am more of a city girl. That said, I love being able to walk out my back door onto miles and miles of trail encased by trees, birds, and deer.

Indoor spaces must feel sterile to you. As I ponder a possible solution for you, I'm giggling at the thought of you walking in the Mall while listening to recorded sounds of the forest. Wouldn't quite be the same experience, would it?

Grandma Lise

Sigh. I know it's beautiful out there. I presented at ADDA (or was it CHADD?) a number of years ago in Seattle and loved what little I saw of the city, but more so, was enchanted by the surrounding areas, driving through the mountains and smelling the incredibly fresh air. You are lucky!

Naw, I don't think I can handle malls with nature sounds piping through the headset. Soon I'll be outside again. But I definately need to figure out how to get through these awful winters.

Hey Terry,

I forgot to ask. Are you sensitive to light and noise? I am. Parties are the worst and conferences are very difficult. I cope by finding one person to talk to and focus on them.

This is why I rarely attend lectures at conferences. I typically find a comfortable place to sit in a common area and talk morning to night with anyone and everyone. The nice thing about ADD conferences is that everyone is so nice and looks for opportunities to talk.

What I like about our Mall is that the lighting is soft and the surfaces are neutral creams and taupes. It also helps that there are skylights at the entrances and hubs and that it's not too busy on weeknights. The other nice design feature is that the Mall entrance is a huge wall of windows that look out on the most beautiful treed hills. As the sun sets the sky above the hills is beautiful. Not all malls are as nice as ours. We're fortunate. I've often wondered who the architect was.

Grandma Lise

Hey Stardust,

It's good to know that you're exercising too. Way to go!

Grandma Lise

Stardust,

That is wonderful!

What is Qi Gong? And could you tell us more about how you feel and how this helps your symptoms? I know that when I jog in the summer, my mood improves significantly. Not to mention, being happy about losing the winter pounds.

Terry

Interesting. So you don't go to a studio- you do it at home. Is it also a cardiovascular workout?

I'm glad it works for you and your mood. Let us know if you have any tricks on making yourself "just do it."

Terry