Keep On Moving thread - September

[agate]

From Sunshine2, who originated this thread some years ago:

MS creates some real challenges to keep on moving. It helps to inspire each other on how to find ways to move.

Did you stretch in your bed, swing your arms, roll side to side today? Or perhaps you did housework? Or exercised in a pool? Tracked your count of steps? Chased your cat around the home? Pushed the wheelchair wheels with your arms at the store? Post them here and we can support and egg each other on.

REMEMBER: This a keep on moving thread, not keep on exercising! Any moving is important it doesn't have to be exercise! Even Science proves that.

I don't have my August step count yet (stay tuned) but hope to be less busy soon.

Today the neurologist stressed the importance of exercise. I told her that I'm never unable to stand on one leg for more than a fraction of a second. She thought that my brain wasn't making the necessary connection but when I asked her if I should give up on trying that exercise, she recommended continuing with it anyway.

[Virginia]

I stopped because it didn't seem to be doing me any good. So, I try to use that little bit of time to do some other exercise that I feel maybe does help. When my PCP showed me that exercise he was doing it to take the place of the standing I would ordinarily do. I did find out I was not doing the standing on my toes right. I am trying to correct that.

Glad your Neuro believes in exercise.

[agate]

(Drum roll)
My August average step count: 2,022 steps/day (based on 30 days)

That is almost a record for me. In 2020 (July) my average was 2,095.

[Virginia]

And a very good record

[agate]

As it happened I absolutely had to take lots of extra steps during the month because of some situations here in the building--a neighbor with a stuck bathroom door on a Sunday morning when no staff person was available to help her, for instance. She was very nearly trapped in her bathroom but at least she was able to squeeze her way out but was slightly injured in the process. It's a "pocket door" that slides into the wall if you know what those are. When the maintenance man finally came to her aid on Monday, he wasn't able to fix the door either without a lot of help. He said the doors are old enough to develop problems sliding off their tracks.

I was up there a few times that day because I was trying to help her, and she was clear across the building, which is a long building. It's amazing how steps can add up when you have to do something. I was also making extra trips to the laundry room because of the new system there. I had my doubts about how well it would work or even if it would work.

And I tried to take my trash out to the dumpster more often during the hot weather.

Little tasks that oblige a person can walk can be helpful in a way. Of course I was more tired but like to think that the extra walking helped me.

The neurologist said the other day, "If you don't exercise, you'll go downhill fast." She's not what you'd call a ray of sunshine but then MS isn't either.

[Virginia]

No MS is not a ray of sunshine, and I think it is good that she doesn't try to sugar coat it. We don't have to go around constantly bemoaning the fact that we are stuck with this disease for life, but I think we need to be realistic about the possibilities for a real bright future.

I think it is great that you are still able to help others. I think it is good for the psychic when we are able to feel useful. So, good for you on that front.

I am so tired today I had decided to skip exercise, but I guess I need to do at least part of my routine.

[agate]

She suggested that I come back on "one or two years" but I chose one year. Getting reminders from her once a year or so about just how relentless MS is helps to keep me from trying to do more than I'm up to.