Keep on Moving Club: February 2018

[Sunshine]

I do weight lifting, but it doesn’t elevate my heart rate.
Swimming does. Can’t walk or run, so that is out.

Wonder how else we could raise heart rate? Maybe swinging arms while sitting? With very light 1 lb or less weights? But gotta watch repetitive injury with that.

[stillstANNding]

Stairs would work for some people but not most of us.

Every year the NMSS has a climb to the top of what was the Hancock Tower in Boston. It ticks me off. They fail to connect the important info that "those w MS can not do this." It also excludes us. :-(

[Sunshine]

That’s what I always feel about the MS fundraisers

[agate]

I've been wondering about that too. They probably feel they have to pick an event that is fun and somewhat dramatic--for better publicity. What could most of us do that would raise funds effectively? Maybe we could cold-call a list of people and ask them to donate, or some of us could. Or we could stuff envelopes and send them to people asking them to donate. Those who do crafts could have a crafts bazaar, maybe? With the proceeds going to the NMSS or some other MS organization? Maybe a bake sale?

The trouble with those types of events is that they would probably need to be organized on a local level only. It would be hard to coordinate them nationwide.

Just about anything they do to raise funds is going to provoke criticism from some people. And yet they do feel obliged to raise funds, which I assume are desperately needed.

Maybe the idea behind the marathon runs and other events like the stairclimb is for those who can do such things to do them for the benefit of those who can no longer do them? It's one way of looking at it without getting too sad, anyway.

I've tried to become tolerant about these fundraisers. Years ago the MS Society ran an U.G.L.Y. bartender contest:

Only registered and activated users can see links., Click Here To Register...

U.G.L.Y. stood for understanding/generous/lovable/you. This was an event not connected with our physical ability but I often wondered if it was a very effective fundraiser.

One MS organization sells holiday cards made by people with MS, and that seems like a nice idea. I have to admit I've never bought the cards because I don't want to remind people I have MS when I send them a holiday card.

[stillstANNding]

Agate, the "U" is for "understanding."

ANN

[Sunshine]

Idea:
At the marathons, have a booth with an empathy kit. Strap weights on legs and arms of the attendee, then smear Vaseline on their glasses. Spin them around and around and ask them to walk.

That would help drive home the seriousness of the disease.

My friends compare bedridden MS neighbor to me, thinking they’re just not trying hard. I educate them that it all depends on where the lesions are and how much inflammation there is. With my recent deterioration, maybe they think I am nit trying hard?!

I lifted 8lb weights. Will try to swim tomorrow.

[agate]

Agate, the "U" is for "understanding."

ANN

Oops! That was a bad mistake. My "mind" must have been elsewhere when I typed that.

January pedometer readings averaged only 1090 steps/day, based on 29 days. December's average was 1145, November--1105. There's no excuse for this decline.

[Virginia]

Agate, doesn't seem like much of a decline to me. I think you do great.

Good for you Sunshine - lifting 8lb weights. I could probably pick them up if I tried real hard, but that is all.

I went to grocery store today, then to get hair done and then got gas in car. I stopped and picked up some soup and sandwich at Panera so I would not have to do anything else tonight. No exercise in all this.

[stillstANNding]

There is walking, stairs and in and out of the car. Plus, being sociable w the stylist can use up energy especially since you have been feeling off.

Today is payback for spending the weekend like a non-MSer. I am just so very tired. I wrote one check, made one trip to the cellar and ran the dish washer. Most of the day was on the couch. Now in bed early.

ANN

[Howie]

I thought the U was for '"uninformed".

I blew a circuit breaker for this room. And it won't reset, so tomorrow, I will swap it for one that's hooked to a room I never use, until I can go someplace that sells them.

So tonight, I am running the computer and TV from an extension cord hooked into the socket in the bathroom. For light, I have those TAC Lights, so I can see to type. Roughing it!

[Virginia]

Be careful how you hook all these gadgets together. You are really roughing it, but just don't let the heat go out. Then I can testify as to how much you would be roughing it. LOL

[alex44]

Beautiful Black Kitty - we used to have two - they have gone to Kitty heaven although they will cross or probably have crossed the Rainbow Bridge to be with my precious Cynthia, Keeping up the house is PLENTY of exercise and I also walk around the block.
Thank You
Blessings
Alex44
Skypilot

[Sunshine]

Nice job on keep on Moving to Agate, Virginia and Ann!

Agate, could the pedometer be messing up?

[agate]

Sunshine, I think it could be a pedometer problem too. I hate to buy a third pedometer but there's a really inexpensive one (it costs a dollar) in my cart at Amazon.

Sometimes the least expensive version of something is the one that works the best.

Howie, that electrical situation doesn't sound good....

[Sunshine]

Go for it! Each day test it, walk 30steps and see what Peddie says.

Swam 20 minutes today 600 Yards.