Let's get fit!

stickywicket

OK folks, how about we start an online exercise class? Yes, we all have different joints that need it and we all do (or should do) different ones but, if we tell each other what we’re aiming to do then log in regularly to say what we actually are doing, we can encourage each other to keep it up.

Me? Every day I reckon to do quads (10 repetitions each), then I have a sort of exercise machine that mimics a horse’s gaits. I aim for a 20 min session, first on the ‘walk’ speed doing arm and neck exercises and ‘power walking’, then I have a ‘trot’ with more power walking. Later on I try to do another 10-15 mins just on trot. (Can’t do ‘canter’ as, at that speed, I can’t hit the button to turn it off!)

Today – missed the quads as we had a visitor. Just got first session in on my ‘horse’. Out pm but will try for another ‘ride’ later. Yesterday managed about ½ mile round our local tarn before I had to take to the wheelchair.

Come on, let’s get fit. OK - fitISH.

elnafinn

Hi stickywicket

You just reminded me on reading your thread that I had missed out my neck exercising so just done that, so ta! for reminding me

I do half an hour stretching exercises 6 days out of 7 which include standing, lying down on back and lying on stomach. Some I like to do more than others. I do 15 minutes hula hooping each day too; nothing fancy just round and round. Before I start to make the evening meal I do 10 minutes on the exercise bike and if I can do 3.5/3.6 km in less time then that is a bonus for me and a few minutes less to do on the bike! I have been out to the library today on my bicycle but that is only about 7 minutes each way.Oh just remembered I also hoovered the car out very well because we hope to be trading it in for another one, hopefully. That included a lot of bending and stretching - so done extra today!

Good luck with the exercising, it definitely helps, well, it does for me.

Luv
Elna x

dreamdaisy

Blimey. I am aghast. I can just about stick one foot in front of another, but even that is a struggle at the moment. I deeply, deeply envy those who can still walk, swim and cycle, it must be lovely. Never mind, eh? Some of us can and some of us can't - 'twas ever thus with the world. DD

stickywicket

I’m deeply impressed with your workout, elnafinn. I seem to remember from other posts that you have new knees? If so you’re a great advert for them. Keep it up.

Delboy & DD - I’m really sorry. I did intend this as a genuine thread, not a column for boasters. All I know is I’ve had pre-op periods where I was in the wheelchair all day every day and my husband had to practically carry me onto the bed or the loo. Without these exercises my muscles (if that’s not too grand a term for them) just wouldn’t hold me, or my new joints, up. I hate the quads, love the ‘horse’ because it takes my weight while I’m doing the exercises but I really need both.

julie47

Hi Stickywicket

I will sit in mi chair and egg you all on.
I think it is a great idea if you can excersise but unfortunately I can't so
are you ready

one two three stretch
one two three bend
(hows it going)

I'll go get some juice to rehydrate you all.

Juliepf x

katie5

this sounds great - only trouble is I don't do much anymore - I walk to work everyday which is quite a challenge especially in the bloody rain!

I have OA and would love some tips on what exercises I could do to help strengthen my muscles had several courses of physio but not any exercise plans given they more or less said "you've got OA - sort it out yourself".

so over to you guys

Katie x

[Deleted User]

Before exercising it is best to consult your health professional, any 'tips' given by members are what is good for them and may not work for you and may even have a contrary effect.

skezier

Hi Sticky,

Well done first of all for turning that huge corner! i had to once and know how hard it is to do.

I sort of try to fight back to regain the muscles I have lost but that's about it... I must try harder cus like Lynn i am turning into a blob.... well worse than that a cube!

I do know and have been told over and over muscles are your best friends with the exception f spasms but sometime exercising them can unlock that as well.

You keep doing what works for you flower. Cris xx

dreamdaisy

Muscles are indeed one's best friends (as ever, I prefer diamonds) and as long as you can keep whatever tone one has then that is undoubtedly a good thing. As I crash thro various pain barriers just moving round the house and doing ordinary every-day things I womanfully resist the temptation to feel more pain (and deal with the fall out) of exercise. I shall cheer the rest of you on from the discomfort of the sidelines. DD

stickywicket

delboy – well, I got that wrong, didn’t I? I think the scalpel must have nicked my facetious membrane last op. It only functions now on alternate days. However, I see the Mods clearly don’t want anyone abseiling off the Rotunda either. I hope you’ve managed to get some sleep now. (Saw your other thread.)

katie5 – If you’ve a nice GP ask him/her to arrange a one-off session with the physio. We’ve got a brilliant one at our surgery who’s always keen to help. I’ve occasionally tried private ones (for speed of access) but they just take one look at me and chicken out.

collywobble – I have, in the past, messed up too many good plans by getting ‘carried away’ with a little bit of progress. I’ve now learnt, with some resentment, to be sensible. We’re in this disease for the long haul not, alas, the quick fix. Welcome to the Cyber Gym.

skezier – thanks for your encouragement but I’m no hero. Not so much a corner as a temporary blip. Without exercises I’m OK for the muscles I use every day but then when I aim to use one I only need weekly I find it’s scarpered. So I have to keep them toeing the line too.

DD – if exercise is really painful it’s probably not good for you. As I said to skezier, I’m only aiming to take the lesser used ones on a daily outing to make sure the little darlings keep on board. I don’t do pain – not the voluntary kind anyway.

OK, done the quads earlier. Now off to my horse for the fun stuff.

skezier

Hi Sticky,

You just have to keep doing what is right for you flower. I think you did amazingly well from the post above so don't underestimate that one!

I know mine was some hard haul and without the hydro etc i could never have made it but that's when they first started on about muscles to me. I was still young and well it's easier then eh?

Enjoy your 'horse' i have no idea what it is but it sounds like fun? Cris x

Hey DD I know what you mean and never think my fight back doesn't have pain but i can't give up my way of life and that in its self keeps me going.

You getting the drinks then if your on the sidelines? I should like pink fizz without strawberries please xx

dreamdaisy

On its way! We can provide some raucous songs too, to spur everyone on! DD

skezier

..... am shocked you know any DD ((( ))) and does that bucket need kicking again?! I will do it any way xx

tillytop

Well done to Sticky and the other energetic ones! I am very impressed and I have this brilliant mental image of Sticky on the "mechanical horse" thingy! Me, I aim to go for a walk each day, but other than that, for now, I shall join the virtual cheerleaders on the sidelines (bagsy the pink pompoms!).

Seriously though, I think this is a really good thread Sticky, so please do keep us posted on progress.

Love Tilly xxx

stickywicket

Thanks for the encouragement tillytop, DD & skezier. I've just walked round the supermarket. That's about my limit so to all of you that can do more - more power to your elbows...and legs....and feet.

Sad thing is, I sometimes do the raucous song thing too while riding as long as no-one else is in the house. It's the only thing I can think of to exercise my lungs & get even slightly out of breath.

dreamdaisy

Oh tillytop, you've gorn and dun it now! I can envisage you, cantering about, pompoms bouncing wildly! There has to be a cheerleadery emoticon somewhere, pleeeeeeeeaaaaaaaassseeee (off to hunt!)





Hee-hee! DD

tillytop

Brilliant emoticon DD!

Well done for your walk round the supermarket Sticky! More than I have done today. I keep finding excuses but I really MUST go out for my walk in a min before it gets dark. OH will be home soon and I know he'll come out with me - always nicer to walk with someone else.

Meantime, altogether now:

"Give me a W"
"Give me an "A"
"Give me an "L" and a "K""

to be chanted whilst doing clever somersaulty, cheerleader-y type things

Tilly xxx

Bookseverywhere

I have several pages of exercises given me from the hospital, which help (when I remember to do them!).

However, due to medication and lack of mobility I have put on a lot of weight, so I am going to start walking regularly again, even if it is only a short walk every day.

Best wishes,
Kevin.

stlucia

Right I've got the bag of half time oranges here! and ill hold your coats whilst you get up a sweat. great idea to have a cyber gym...id never make it to a real one so I'm pleased I'm here!

dreamdaisy

"Four and twenty ladies of impeccable virtue,
Came down from a small conurbation in Scotland . . "

katie5

anyone got a walk they would recommend - not too long though can't walk too far!

Did the devil's kitchen Kitchen (Wales) last Summer which was lovely. Also did some walks round Keswick which we try to go to every year - adore The Lakes!

Will need to buy some new walk boots this years as I have developed a squeak in my right shoe - after 2hrs the family were ready to throw me off the hill! just thought hope it's the shoe and not my hip squeaking

Katie x

Airwave!

The call for exercise is I'm sure, given out with the best possible thoughts. We need to work our muscles/ligaments/tendons/hearts to good effect, no matter how little is done compared with others. If it is possible, it will all be of benefit.

In order to tackle my high blood pressure and lose weight, I opted for an electric bike and yes, it does hurt, but not as much as if I have an early stroke or heart attack because I'm unfit? I'm not much good at walking but cycled 20 miles yesterday, now that feels good! The bits that hurt, still hurt, but I do feel the better for doing this, which helps me to cope with the hurty bits! Life is a bit obtuse sometimes?

If anyone is interested, the effort I put into the pedals is rewarded by the electric motor, simples, eh! I now use the car less and do a lot of minor shopping trips by bike, much more fun.

8) Its a grin, honest!
P.S. My wife keeps laughing at my lycra shorts, any advice?

Airwave!

I think Scotsmen and gentlemen cyclists ought to have their secrets kept secret! Its not easy to dress on one side when the saddle gets in the way..........

Perhaps I should wear a dark black pair of lycra shorts? Don't want to overexcite any highly impressionable ladies with my pert shape!

8) It's a large grin, honest!

Airwave!

I jest, Levi's are my usual attire, it was my OH who started the lycra laugh, I wouldn't subject the world to a display of me in lycra! When it was minus 7 degrees here, I had my old ski salopettes, two fleeces, extra scarf, thick anorak, head scarf, helmet and old ski gloves and I still didn't get warm for a few miles.

It's quite amusing, overtaking other cyclists who haven't got any assistance, as for cars in traffic jams......... !

8) Its a grin, honest!

dreamdaisy

Oh airwave, I envy you and elna hugely. My left knee doesn't bend enough now to revolve the pedals, I reckon my right would struggle too. I used to love going for rides at dawn, it was absolutely the best time of the day to be out. I miss it, very much. Never mind, eh? It matters not. DD

Airwave!

Hi DD, well it does matter, I know what its like to give something up! At least you have some pleasant memories and maybe something to look forward to? Do you remember those old wicker bathchairs with the hand propelled cogs? Perhaps we should re-introduce them and stay fitter rather than be propelled around by electric motors?

8) Its a grin, honest!

Right, T then must do some morning jobs.