Me and the Personal Trainer.

dreamdaisy

I haven't seen her for a few weeks due to a nasty cold (nor done any exercise or unaided walks) but she came last Thursday for an hour. I was worried about the amount of ground I thought I might have lost but I was wrong, everything worked as well as before with the exception of walking: one unaided 20 minute walk was enough whereas I was up to two of that length: I managed a second but only for 7 minutes.

In between the walks we do stretches, I crumple elegantly to the sitting room floor then swear like a docker for the duration whilst she counts and lies by saying 'We'll do that (WE?) three more times . . . well done, twice more . . . and another three . . . The final one involved me, flat on my back with my arms outstretched to shoulder level then raising both legs to 90 degrees, bending my knees to 90 degrees and then rolling them gently from side to side, aiming to get my right knee to touch the floor on the right hand side then the left to the left. My shoulders are not to leave the floor (and they don't). The first two attempts are not easy but things gradually loosen and by the fifth I was able, for the first time, to touch the carpet on both sides. She complimented me on the flexibility in my hips which led me to wonder why this was so.

After much thought I have come to a conclusion.

Some of you will know that I have never shied away from using walking aids. My way of thinking has always been if they help me to do more with less stress and distress to my joints then that can only be a good thing: they have also helped me to maintain a reasonably good posture which I think important. I am not saying for one moment that it's been easy to move around because it hasn't but I am wondering whether this has enabled me to keep a greater ROM in my hips than could have been the case. She's returning on Tuesday and I hope to be able to do the second walk for a longer period of time. Wish me luck! DD

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mig

I realise how difficult it must have been for you BUT I'm not surprised how well you are doing,you are an inspiration to all.OH YES YOU ARE. mig (((())))

palo

Yes, definitely an inspiration...

barbara12

Good for you DD..it just goes to show that exercise is crucial to keeping us moving..

dreamdaisy

Thank you Mig, Palo and Barbara, your words are very kind indeed and appreciated (with some embarrassment). :oops:

As I mentioned she is returning tomorrow morning at 9am and I am not looking forward to it one little bit: my toes, ankles and knees are far from happy and my attempts at hover-walking are not going well Hey-ho, a slow-release trammy at around 6am should be kicking in by 9 . . . . DD

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dreamdaisy

It's Tuesday morning and things have worsened overnight. Having resumed the PsA meds because things were better the cold has resurfaced so my head is like a block of concrete and my ears ache. My joints are foul and I'm feeling each and every one of my youthful 58 years. I'm telling myself that I will both feel and move better after my energetics. If I don't well, that's the norm with arthritis, isn't it? We do what we can and it grinds on regardless . . . . . as do we. Onwards and more than slightly sideways! DD

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stickywicket

Anyone can exercise when it's easy. Exercising when it's difficult takes guts and determination and, rightly, brings more rewards. Keep plugging away, DD. There will be high days and low days but ploughing on will be worth it and deservedly so. christmas02

dreamdaisy

Well, things didn't go as well as they have in the past but I did the best I could; although the pain levels are increased my movement is a little improved so that has to be satisfaction enough, yes?

I wish it was.

DD

dibdab

Keep on keeping on, you are doing an amazing job at taking back control as best you can and not letting the multiple meanness of all the arthritis attacks win!!!!! oh, and keep taking the pain relief :oops: .

Deb x

dreamdaisy

Thank you, dibdab, you are very kind to post and encourage me. Today has begun better - we had a full day out planned but, as I am doing other things tomorrow and Friday, I'm hoping Mr DD will agree to an abbreviated day today.

I have not let yesterday's low spirits get the better of me, in fact I have booked an appointment with her for Thursday week at 11am in that chamber of horrors known as THE GYM. :shock: The bend in my knees has improved to such an extent that we are both hopeful that riding an exercise bike will help matters positively develop in a different way. I shall also try a cross-trainer (which she becomes if I don't try properly ) Afterwards I will head downstairs to Byron Burger: need I say more? 8) DD

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stickywicket

Wow! DD's going to be a gym bunny

I tried a gym, briefly, before my knee revision. Every machine had to be lowered to its absolute minimum for me

Just be a little careful of the cross trainer at first. I tried my son's once (with one of my 6'2" blokes either side for support). I found that (a)it shot off as soon as I had one foot on it and (b)because the RA has foreshortened all my arm and finger joints, I could hang on to the stick things while 'walking'. In fact, I could only push the stick things so little, the cruel machine refused to acknowledge my steps as steps. I think it felt it was demeaning for it that my son should allow me on

I wish you better success and have every confidence you will achieve it.

(Will it be a leotard or total lycra, then christmas04 )

GraceB

DD, I'm really pleased to hear you are enjoying your time at the gym. Good for you even attempting to do this.

I used to have gym membership, but stopped it a couple of years ago as I could only get there once or twice a month so it wasn't financially worth it. That's still the case so I try to keep moving as much as I can in other ways.

And I'll be intrigued to know what your gym wear consists of. I do hope it's specialist, expensive and classy gym wear. I can't quite imagine you in cheap lycra!

GraceB

dreamdaisy

Hello and welcome back, Grace! This will be my first visit to the gym since I went to the one at the hospital waaaaaay back in 2002. To-date my PT has been coming to the house which has been ideal, it means I can work in privacy and not be intimidated by others who seem to be doing far, far better than me because they are far, far younger and far, far healthier. I despise them. 8)

Gym wear? I shall leave the diamond-encrusted leggings, Tshirt and hooded fleece made with the finest cashmere behind for fear of dazzling those around me and turn to two, small independent local suppliers of astonishingly well-designed clothing. If I tell you who, swear you'll keep the secret? Yes? OK. Primark and Tu @ Sainsbury's. Shhhhhhhhhh. DD

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mig

LYCRA now thats something I haven't thought about in a while. :shock:

Slosh

You are amazing DD! Your determination and perserverance is a lesson to us all.
I like the new Tu leisure wear range, mind you mine are my new "work wear" for days when I'm spending time in what I now grandly call my "studio" where the main exercise is for my brain!

dreamdaisy

Today is the day I 'hit' the gym. :shock: I am meeting my PT outside that prestigious environment at 11am and am hoping to last an hour but with limited times on the exercise bike and cross-trainer (I hope she won't be a cross trainer). I am nervously excited but greatly encouraged by the presence of a Byron Burger bar below, offering the promise of an after-session chicken burger with a side order of onion rings. And possibly a lager. :oops:

For the fashion-minded amongst you, today's attire will be: two pairs of leggings (Tu black thermal under Primark grey lightweight), cream Joules cotton vest, long-sleeved grey/cream striped Tu thermal top and a blue/white Joules batwing sweatshirt. Hotter trainers complete the ensemble. I am also taking a small hand towel for the inevitable sweaty wipe-downs. V classy. :roll: DD

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[Deleted User]

Hope your gym trip went well DD
Best Wishes
Sharon

dibdab

Hope it went well DD. Keep up the good work!

Deb xx

dreamdaisy

Thank you, Sharon and dibdab, I am pleased to report that it went stonkingly well! I managed the exercise bike (a higher version of a recumbent so easier on the knees), did lots of walking around the gym then five minutes on the cross-trainer: I could have done much more on that but was wary of doing too much too soon. At one point during a walk I broke into a very slow jog. :shock: The burger followed but not the lager, instead I over-sugared with elderflower presse.

The afternoon has passed with my decorating a second Christmas tree: we popped into Wilkos and I saw a beautiful grey 6 footer which is now in the kitchen: it has ice white lights, glass decorations and not a Santa in sight. I am beginning to feel the after-effects of the day's activities but haven't taken any pain relief since 11am: not bad going, yes? DD

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[Deleted User]

Brilliant news DD and well done. Must be time to put your feet up
Best Wishes
Sharon

stickywicket

Thank you for making me smile. That is such good news, not just for you but for all of us. We really can achieve more if we are determimed. Well done!

GraceB

DD you are doing so well. I'm pleased to hear you left the "bling" at home. After all, you really wouldn't want to put the teenagers to shame would you? They could end up feeling rather inadequate!

Just take it easy. Better to gradually increase things rather than overdo it and end up not being able to do anything. And the eatery attached sounds lovely - I hope you enjoyed someone else preparing the food and clearing away. Makes it even more tastier in my view!

GraceB

dibdab

That sounds like a real achievement DD, well done, hope the payback hasn't been too bad. I'm pondering trying a gym with hubby post Christmas, we both need to lose some weight and I figure if I stick to a treadmill(going slowly) and an exercise bike I should be able to make some progress. Reading of your progress is encouraging me to take the plunge- but it will have to wait till post Christmas as hubby is a vicar and this time of year is ridiculously busy :? .

Keep on keeping on.

Deb x

dreamdaisy

There were no youngsters there, Grace, just a bunch of tattooed, muscly and silent blokes. Minimum diamondage was sported but the lights in there were so good I will wear more so I can distract myself with by firing rainbows all over the shop.

I enjoyed it, dibdab, and I am very pleased that I gradually built up to the point that I could go with some confidence not only my abilities but in Ren's too. Roll on next week! :shock: DD

dreamdaisy

OUCH. DD

Slosh

Sorry it's taken me a while to catch up but I am very impressed with your achievements, as well as your gym fashion tips (!). Hope the payback wasn't too long lasting.