Kicking LEs butt!! Exercise & Self Care Log
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So, our team was small today due to the weather and vacations...I did 4.5 miles of swimming, oh I mean walking, in the downpouring rain. Didn't even need a shower when I was done
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Laural - Congratulations!
I did the 5k Color Run in Racine in May with a dear college friend of mine. It was 45 degrees!
Never had so much fun freezing to death! 
Congrats on the finish!
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Thanks, Dawne-Hope, but our race is not until October. I am doing the Columbus Half Marathon, others are doing the Cleveland Rock N Roll, Marine Corp Marathon in Washington DC, and the Cincinnati Half. We just train together twice a week until then.
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Laural - Oh, ok I get it. Good for you for getting out in the rain!
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Mariasnow, it sounds like you might need some major support energy from all directions, so I'll start by sending you some from Michigan. LE really is the epitome of adding insult to injury, and if you feel like it's taking too much from you, well you're right, and it's just not fair. But you'll figure out how to manage it, it's just that the figuring out takes time and lots of trial and error. I'm so glad to read that you're headed for that event anyway, and wow....honoring your late dad for a lifetime of charitable work? That's amazing and you must be incredibly proud (and miss him too...this will be bittersweet, no?).
Nibbana, I've missed some weight sessions too, nursing a hip injury, and just when I went back, the holiday week appeared, and my trainer is out for a well deserved vacation. So when I start again in earnest on Monday, it will be the same kind of resigned-to-starting-over (well not quite) that you're feeling. We will both be back where we want to be, soon
Laural...oh my gosh! You're making me feel like such a slacker! How wonderful to read what you're training for, and how you're training, and I'm totally jealous that you're walking with a team.
I have a huge amount of family visiting this week, with tons of kids so it's loud but fabulous chaos. I'm not even trying to get any cardio in, but I am getting lots of steps in because of all the running around I'm doing.
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Did 20 miles on my bike today. All due to a Surly Pacer and a Brooks saddle. Took a rail-to-trail and got very turned around. I got a small GPS that was supposed to be for bike rides and urban navigation, but left it at home. Doh!
Coming back, got turned around again, on a trail that winds around a river. So I moved over to the north-south trail and got back home.
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nibbana - whew! That's one way to make sure you get lots of miles!
Glad you made it back safely.
I've struggled this summer getting to the gym. Lost my LiveStrong trainer to graduation, the trainer I'm working with at Gold's just doesn't get it. It's been a frustrating few weeks. Went to the gym tonight to relax...did lots of time on treadmill and elliptical...worked on my legs with weights.
My fingers look as good tonight as they've looked in about six weeks. Cardio really helps me. Simple reminder tonight than when I can do litte else, time on the bike/treadmill/elliptical really pays off. I've been in a pretty serious LE funk (is it just the summer and hot weather?) but I'm feeling much better about things tonight. I'm starting with a new LiveStrong trainer on Tuesday. Time to break in another one...0 -
Dawne-Hope, it sounds like you're doing your level best to stay on top of that LE funk. Sticking with your cardio and doing lower-body weights sure shows that you're committed to your fitness program. Best of luck with the new trainer tomorrow!
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morning, did the gym all 4 days off and do believe that my balance is improving. Got long way to go but it is better. Someone I work with just called in to say he needs to fly to India as his mom broke her hip and the family needs help. That is the sort of thing that scares the pants off of me so gonna keep up.
Hat it when you have to change trainers, worse than getting a new hairdresser! Good luck and hope the new trainer will get it!
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Sounds like you had a productive week at the gym, proudtospin. The exercise sure does help to get the body balanced and back in alignment. It will pay off in so many ways for you.
Got in 3.1 miles this morning before the heat started rising. It was hill day today, so down to the river and back up 3 times as part of the route. Yesterday I did Tony Horton's 30 Minute Buns tape...ouch, but in a good sort of way.
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Hey gang,
I really need to look for a personal trainer now. What should I look for in a trainer? I'm not putting out any hope for anyone who knows PAL or how to work with a lymphedema sufferer. Allready gave up on that. There's no Livestrong program at my local YMCA either. Would a regular gym-rat trainer work, as long as I educated him/her on LE?
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nibbana - Lots to say but three things that immediately come to mind are 1) Willingness to listen. 2) Willingness to learn 3) personality compatibility. There are some people who just don't get it, think they're know it alls and won't listen. I've learned there are some things that I just can't do and if they are pushy, I'm done with them. I'm sure Carol will come along soon but give them the handout that she helped put together. You'll learn a lot about a trainer by how they react to something like that.
Proud- It really is like getting a new stylist.
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I would check out the gyms first, the type of client at a gym may give you and idea if they will be receptive to you asking specifics
and really, like interviewing a hair dresser...tell them what you need!Carol's handout will be great
this is not the time for a body pumping/steroid matcho gym. My gym is connected with a hospital and at least in NJ that is becoming more and more common. It offers PT and there are a number of stroke patients and such in recovery. That might be a place to check first to see if your cancer center recomends someone
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Nibbana - does your BC cancer center offer any exercise classes? Mine does and trainers also does schedule client times...check it out. Good Luck!
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Nibbana, my trainer is 100% gym rat! He's a world record holder in a powerlifting federation, a pure muscle guy and a wonderful, wonderful human being. To help him with his LE knowledge and how to adapt fitness work, I arranged to bring a workshop called PALS for Life to his gym. We opened it to area personal trainers and LE therapists and had a great group for a full Saturday. Two area hospitals and one large company helped defray expenses and we charged a nominal tuition; my local community foundation agreed to be the charity of record and collect funds and supervise disbursement, so the hospital and corporate foundations could be sure that all was on the up and up. It took some doing to convince some of the gyms to send a trainer, but they all agreed it was well worth their time.
If you are feeling energetic, you could do the same--the woman who puts on the workshop (she was the lead personal trainer in the PAL Trial) will travel anywhere--she does need to get paid, and travel reimbursed, but it was all do-able with very nominal tuition to the trainers here. A link to her is at www.cancersurvivorfitness.com.
When I first mentioned this to Todd, my trainer, his response was 'limfawhata?' but now he is full on board and my best LE ally --a better LE care partner than any of my docs or even my LE therapist. As the others have said, a willingness to learn and a caring heart are the most important qualifications. I think that if a trainer is willing to read and discuss with you the SUSO handout (http://stepup-speakout.org/Trainer%20doc%20for%20SUSO-040113.pdf), then you are off to a good start. I do agree that a cancer-center-affiliated or recommended gym is the optimal place to look, but there are lots of places where that does not exist. I'd have to drive 45 minutes to the nearest hospital-affiliated fitness facility. Having a place 8 minutes away to work out, with a trainer who understands my needs, is priceless.
I returned to the gym today after a few days off (holiday and a huge family week at my house!). All the merry making (too much food!) meant I had to do some serious cardio/penance so I did 4 treadmill miles at a speedy clip and a serious grade, to get my heart going, followed by an hour of weight lifting with the trainer. Hopefully, now I'm back in my regular routine; the last of family leave in a couple more days.
Carol
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Thanks for all your help again Carol. I knew of the handout you made for trainiers, but the search function wasn't working optimally yesterday. I will print them out and start interviewing personal trainiers.
I did my arm and shoulder workout today also. I didn't like feeling flabby. That's what I felt like with two weeks and no exercise, flabby! Time to get a hardbody again!
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First day with my new LiveStrong trainer and I loved her! It couldn't have gone better! Nothing like some getting your butt kicked endorphins released to make one feel better!
Had a horrible day yesterday trying to get my sleeve dilemma worked out (ordered sleeves and received them and they were wayyyyy big???). Cried some tears of frustration over that one ... But feel much better today.0 -
Dawne-Hope, that's a great report!
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great that the new trainer is a match for you! huge relief I am sure, enjoy learning the new persons "tricks" is what I call them but they of course have dif names for the movements and such!
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Reporting in:
Did my leg workout today. I swear, squats have to be one of the best exercises in the world.
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Nibbana - Hear that!
Had session #2 with new trainer today. Found out that she is the 'butt and gut' instructor at my local university student rec center. Yep, that pretty well tells you everything you need to know.
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Dawn, funny name for the trainer but who cares if she helps you! Trainers are golden! Now I know why studying PT is such a popular major for college folks today, course not sure it equats to a large salary
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Today was a butt-and-gut day for me with my trainer at the gym, too. If I could give one gift to everyone who has LE, it would be the opportunity to work with a trainer, every single week. I am totally blessed to have found a trainer who has a giant heart (and owns the gym, so he does what he wants) and charges me a pittance for his time; otherwise I would never be able to meet with him so often. My profession is consulting on topics he can benefit from, so I help out, and it's kind of a barter, but really I get the better end of the deal. Nibbana, you're amazing for being so focused in working solo with your home weight equipment--I'm not so sure I would have the drive, without someone else waiting for me at the gym!
I started my day in the wee hours with 30 minutes of hard cardio, and then after nine hours of computer work loosened up by doing my hour in the gym (weights, abs, flexibility) with emphasis on lower body. I'm about fully recovered from a glitch in my hip a few weeks ago, so the trainer is determined to work on building up surrounding muscle so it hopefully does not happen again. Arm got the usual workout, too!
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I just did my back and chest workout. I have to say, if I had to go to a trainer, I would've stayed home. The convienience factor wins out by working out from home. Wish I could go for a bike ride, but I was horrendously busy today, and I'm wiped now. Tomorrow I have to go to an all day class. There goes the weekend!
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I guess we're all different in what motivates us!
Today I did a 3 mile jog/walk combo to get my heart going, and then I was able to spend an hour paddling around in a pool. Mostly I was working my legs and wanted to just enjoy getting my arm and shoulder into the water, which was nice and warm so really pleasant. I did some in-water stretches: wonderful!
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Carol, I often wish I had closer access to a pool. Swimming is such a great exercise and for me helps with the LE. I just broke down and bought some swim forms. I have been very successfully using the bath pouf homemade swim forms mentioned on another thread in the forum. I like how lightweight and quick drying they are and as I sewed them into my regular suit, they never slip or move out of place. I will have to experiment with the new forms.
I got in 15.6 miles of walking this week over 4 days, along with 2 days of P90 Circuit Strength Training. I enjoyed using the River Trail in Louisville where we went for the North American Christian Convention. It was a great week of worship and learning with Christians from all over the country. The cooler weather this weekend has also helped motivate moving. Hope all of you have a great start to the new week today.
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Laural, P90 circuit training can be brutal! What an accomplishment! One of it's foundations is muscle confusion, I think. How are you making sure that despite the change-up of exercise, you're not risking too much, too soon on your LE body part? I tend to stick with just a few exercises that recruit my arm, adding weight in line with the conservative PAL guidelines. I'm lifting pretty heavy weights now, but still I'd worry about the P90 and 'Insanity' approaches that have you doing lots of bodyweight work in lots of different ways. You are a very experienced athlete, so I'm confident you're doing this smartly. For others investigating P90 or similar circuit routines, can you share your strategy for protecting against LE problems?
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me, back from gym and trainer. Happy to report that my balance is improving! He said I did not fall on him once today and did well on the TRX strength training! (sort of a joke but I was very unsteady when we started some of the stuff.) Considering how awful I was just a few months ago, glad for the improvement to be noticeable.
P90....sounds a bit more than I could do for sure! But glad I got my time in this weekend
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proudtospin, I have a TRX but no longer use it, because it depends 100% on bodyweight for resistance. That's a real eyebrow-raiser for me, that the trainer has you using a TRX. Are you sure you want to go that route? We cannot know the amount of weight/resistance against an arm on a TRX or using resistance bands, and we cannot know the extent to which we are adding resistance when we modify position. Sorry to be such a downer on that, but I think it's contrary to what's known about the best way to build muscle strength when we have LE.
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I have talked to the trainer about my LE and this machine, and feel it is working for me and not harming my arm and it is definitely helping my balance issues
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