Exercise and Stretch Thread: December 2016

[agate]

Forgot the pedometer on the day you JUST happened to take the fewest steps......how convenient.

Howie, it does look suspicious. I'll try not to make that mistake again. How's your pedometer doing?

[Sunshine]

I walked around a dollar store, a Target and a large grocery store today. No formal exercises.

ANN

That's amazing. No way I could do it. I would be too scared I would collapse.

Yesterday I swam 750 yards, worked a half day, and regular daily living of cooking, going upstairs.

Agate and Virginia, this dreadful disease takes away so much of our physical ability. Don't let it also rob you of your ability to take pride in what you DID accomplish. While what we did would be considered lazy if we were Michael Phelps, Kelly Slater etc, it is considered heroic and awesome to anyone who is laid low with MS.

[Sunshine]

I walked around a dollar store, a Target and a large grocery store today. No formal exercises.

ANN

That's amazing. No way I could do it. I would be too scared I would collapse.

Yesterday I swam 750 yards, worked a half day, and regular daily living of cooking, going upstairs.

Agate and Virginia, this dreadful disease takes away so much of our physical ability. Don't let it also rob you of your ability to take pride in what you DID accomplish. While what we did would be considered lazy if we were Michael Phelps, Kelly Slater etc, it is considered heroic and awesome to anyone who is laid low with MS.

[Sunshine]

I swam a half mile today, which is 900 yards. Legs are tingling. Maybe I will cut back to 750 yards next time.

[Virginia]

Good going Ann and BBS! Agate, you are doing well with your routine also.

[Sunshine]

I headed for the public pool with tingling legs. Almost turned back but thought, Damn it, I am not going to give it up today, the worst that could happen is spasticity and having to cancel work.

So, I swam 750 yards and the legs are no worse so far. It was a psychological victory. Did skip gas station and store to compensate.

[Virginia]

BBS, good for you - a little perseverance is what it took.

[Sunshine]

I faced my fear today. This time, it worked out ok.

[Sunshine]

I had my tenth infusion today, so I decided it isn't a good idea to exercise infusion day. Just doing daily living.

[agate]

"Daily living" as in "activities of daily living" or ADL?

That can be quite a bit of exercise, as I find out when I compare a day when I do laundry with a day when I don't. I take far more steps on a laundry day.

[Howie]

Daily living is my ONLY form of exercise. I had a treadmill, and it did help me after a long time of doing nothing, but they are so boring to use. I sold that one, and do still have a rowing machine, but it's the same, boring.

I wish I could have a place to swim like you BBS. I would love swimming again. It's a perfect way for PWMS to exercise. Low impact, it works everything at once, and it's FUN!

[agate]

I've never tried a treadmill but isn't it possible to watch TV while on it? Or to listen to music with headphones?

[Howie]

Yes, you can watch and listen to anything while on a treadmill. I always had music playing, and it does help to distract you from the fact that you are in the same place you were when you started.

[SalpalSally]

Exercising is so hard when you are laying flat but I try my best.

[Sunshine]

I often think of you when I exercise and wonder what I would do if bedridden. I guess I would move around as much as possible, roll side to side, swing arms, and stuff like that. What works for you?