Exercise and Stretch Thread Nov. 2016

[Sunshine]

Let's see if there is interest in reviving this tradition from BT

This can range from bed exercises, to stretching, yoga, swimming, surfing, pulling weeds, you name it.
The infusion grounded me today but tomorrow is a surfing day. Today I maybe walked 100 yards doing LIFE errands and work. And 5 flights of stairs.

What do you do to keep as active as the MS allows for?

[agate]

I check my pedometer at the end of every day. I've been averaging 1450 steps a month. I do an average at the end of every month so I'll know if I'm slacking off or doing better.

And I'm keeping up with the exercises from the latest PT course which was last spring. Lifting several pounds on tops of my feet 40 times in a day isn't fun but I no longer have to do that every day. Just MWF. There are several other routines I go through--some standing and some while lying on my back or side in bed.

The really good thing is that I hardly ever get the feeling of wobbly legs that I was having for months after the last fall. It's there sometimes but isn't nearly as bad.

I like to think that the PT exercises have been helping.

[Sunshine]

I bet it does. By exercising those muscles that support legs, ankles and feet, you then "only" have balance problems due to MS and not also due to lack of muscle usage. Or at least that's been my experience....

[Lazarus]

Now that the farming season has ended I need to keep up the physical work that strengthened my legs, arms and general movements. I can work in the greenhouse but it is too easy to put movement off 'to the next day'....and then time has gone by and I will have slid back. So I have to keep my mind strong.

Agate,
What you said about lifting weights with your legs was really interesting. That wobbly feeling is a problem for me as well as John. What did you mean by 40 times a day?

[SalpalSally]

I do my bed exercises every day of I can.

[Howie]

I just do the things of living. Go to the store about twice a week, take my garbage to the dump, usually when I make my store trip. Take care of the cats, vacuum now and then, do dishes, laundry, etc.

When I feel especially energetic, I've been working on the garage, and Pinky.

[agate]

Now that the farming season has ended I need to keep up the physical work that strengthened my legs, arms and general movements. I can work in the greenhouse but it is too easy to put movement off 'to the next day'....and then time has gone by and I will have slid back. So I have to keep my mind strong.

Agate,
What you said about lifting weights with your legs was really interesting. That wobbly feeling is a problem for me as well as John. What did you mean by 40 times a day?

Linda, it's an exercise where you put weights on top of your feet and lift your feet up. Some people use 1-lb. cans or bags of beans weighing 1 or 2 lbs. but I found that those kept slipping off and having to put them back on was a nuisance. The PT suggested getting the weighted ankle cuffs and wrapping them around my feet, for the same effect.

I'm supposed to do 20 sets of these foot lifts twice a day--and often it's easy enough to do 40 of them at one time now that I've been doing them a while.

The weighted cuffs have removable quarter-pound weights. I'm doing 1.25 lbs. now. They do slip off now and then but nearly as much as the cans or bags of beans.

[Sunshine]

I do my bed exercises every day of I can.

That's good Sally! Move each time you read a thread :)

I hit the waves today. CONDITIONS were not great. And I stood on beach an extra hour which I regret. One of the crew had a birthday so got caught up in the celebrating. Resting now. Hoping to not get the spasms. Ugh.

Did get one floaty and bumpy waist high ride.

[Sunshine]

I just do the things of living. Go to the store about twice a week, take my garbage to the dump, usually when I make my store trip. Take care of the cats, vacuum now and then, do dishes, laundry, etc.

When I feel especially energetic, I've been working on the garage, and Pinky.

That's good activity! Keep on keeping on.

[Sunshine]

Today I skipped surfing due to 7' waves and 25 mph wind. Plus yesterday it took six hours of lying down to recover from surfing. I believe I spent too much time standing on the beach socializing with my crew and also the dudes. Today also, public pool is closed for a meet.

But I did go to the grocery store and shopped walking and standing for 30 minutes, so that def counts. And it's the second time this week no need for a scooter.

What did you do today for moving or stretching or exercising? Howie, petting the cat counts :)

[agate]

I did a load of laundry! I've already racked up 600 steps for today, and it's stillonly midday.

Anything weight-bearing is probably good, at least for anyone with a tendency toward the bone-thinning disorder of osteopenia/osteoporosis.

That's what doctors have been telling me, anyway.

[Sunshine]

That's great Agate! It does help bones.

I will miss stairs when we build a one story. I must do at least 6 flights most days going up, as it's a 4 story house. I figure it's good for bone building. It's nice to get my stair climbing back from the present attack.

[Lazarus]

I took Moxie to the great dog park here. It is a park that has a paved surface that surrounds the grass area where the pups run. I parked my car so that John, who came with us, could sit and watch us. It was just the perfect activity. There were a dozen small dogs on our side and they were all happily racing around chasing balls.

[stillstANNding]

Was there snow, Linda? I heard you got 4 inches.
ANN

[Lazarus]

Was there snow, Linda? I heard you got 4 inches.
ANN

Not a flake. I am very stressed since the guy who has been plowing for us has given up his plow truck. John is not well enough to use our plow. I made contact with a company that promised they would plow us but I am so scared. We need to have pathways to the greenhouses plowed so I can get there....and the guys I hired have not come to survey the farm and see the paths that need plowing. I am so tired of being worried about somethin every second of every day.

I am sure it will all work out. Or not. It will be one or the other!