Kicking LEs butt!! Exercise & Self Care Log
Comments
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hugz, a half walk is better than no walk! I'm glad you did not wrap your sleeve around that pole. I did a half hour on a recumbent bike in the gym a couple of days ago, and it was booooooorrrrrring! I had a hard time getting my heart rate up, too, because the orthopedic surgeon admonished me to keep the resistance really light. So I'm still looking for a cardio method. I can walk a good two miles or so, at a moderate pace, without causing pain or swelling now, but any more than that and I have problems. But that's an improvement; much better since I had the injection to the knew.
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Hi all,
I follow this thread, but I haven't posted before. I don't currently LE, but had a ALND and rads to the underarm area (just finished treatment last week) so I know I'm at very high risk for LE. I wear a sleeve when I exercise and garden etc. because my arm feels better with it on and because I want to prevent permanent LE if possible. Anyway, I have a question. I've been reading about using walking poles when walking. It's supposed to be helpful with LE. Here's a link about it. My question is: has anyone tried using them? If so, what do you think? Do they help make walking more comfortable with LE? It seems like they would be nice and I would be willing to get them, I just don't want to waste money (and space in my home) on something that's not really useful. Thanks.
Kay
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Kay, I love my poles! I find that they do support my arm, but at the same time, using the arms adds to the cardio effect--I feel like I'm working harder. I think hugz4u uses them too (she inspired me to try it), so I'll bet she'll comment when she sees your post. I got poles that have built-in shock absorbers, which I imagine helps with the LE.
My poles are buried where I can't get them for the moment (big garage project underway so things have been shelved in all kinds of not-so-reachable places), and I cannot remember the model, but the brand is Leki. I'm pretty sure these things come in a range of prices, so you should be able to find a pair that works without breaking the bank. DH bought me mine at an REI sale and I don't know what he paid, but he said he got a good bargain.
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Water exercise Tuesday, Lebed Weds, short walk Thurs, swimming today!!!!!!!
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an hour and A half floating on noodles in the deep end, moving stretching and visiting with my daughter! Perfect exercise, pain less, but time for a nap😑
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Last week I was on vacation in Cancun, so I spend every day at least 3-4 hours in the water, swimming or walking in the pool. I never felt better in my life. I was worried that swimming my aggrevate my LE arm but in reality I was doing pretty good. Just wanted to share this great experience. I will join a gym with a pool so I can swim. Swimming did trigger any problems for me, while lifting two small dumbells (2 pounds) bothers my arm.
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wrap it around a telephone pole and post a sign that said FREE but my grown up side said to stop being a sissy and forget about it.
Oh c'mon hugz... who would take it ?! LOL :>)
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simplelife
I have not tried the poles so Carol's remarks are best, but if you want to know more about le, pls check out
Good luck to you!
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I don't remember who recommended the swell spots on this forum but a BIG thank you for the advice. They have helped my truncal LE SO much! It takes a few minutes to get it all adjusted in the bra but once it's done, it is definitely doing the job.
Take that, LE!!!
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Can anyone tell me how to order the DVD?
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Kay, Yes I am the pole walker although I haven't lifted my poles much this year. When I do I often wonder why I don't walk with them all the time during my exercise. They are fantastic for keeping your arm elevated at a 90 degree angle so your arms don't dangle down creating swell. My poles are extra light made with no straps and they do stay on your hands. They have cute little rubber boots on the ends for absorbing shock and give you a great push off. They are telescopical.They are called Exerstrider. You can google them.
With poles you can give your fist a squeeze while walking for exercising the arm muscles. When you first start you may find that your arms and lats, shoulders tiremaybe after 5 min so just go thru the arm motion without putting the squeeze and muscle into it. Once your lats and arm muscles are built up you will burn major calories and have a toned upper body. Whats not to like about that.
You can always carry them under your arm if you feel pooped out from using them. You can use them for stability for hiking by changing the booties. Mine also came with "ski like" baskets years ago. I took the instructor course just for knowledge and know how to use them properly. I have my arms outstretched like I am going to shaking hands with a person and never bend my elbow when walking with them. All the action comes from the upper body when planting the poles and pushing off with them.Carol is right, you burn many more calories and tone your whole body better. Its a no brainer so I might get mine going again. Go on Exerstriders web site and watch a demo. Exerstriders are created a bit different that nordic poles and I love the fact you don't need to strap them on.
If you have no poles, then hold your arms like a jogger does at a 90 angle so your arms don't dangle down to the ground. Helps with the swell problem. Every so often, stick your arm straight up in the air and pump your fist 25 times slowly to drive the fluid up the arm. Do some deep belly breaths. I like to saw away with my lats occasionally with the 90 degree arm angle as I find it takes that pinchy truncal feeling out from the back of my pit. But don't overdo that sawing motion unless you are use to it.
Carol, Try your poles and see if it takes a bit of weight off the knee. I am trying to remember if they do that. It may distribute your weight more evenly. Let me know if you have success. I think if you are walking 2 miles then you are doing amazing. So happy to hear your report.
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Got a 50 min walk in today.
Joannc. If you are talking about the lebed exercise dvd go to the Lebed Method website.
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Hugz, thanks for the info. The Exerstrider poles are the exact ones I had been thinking of getting. I'm glad to hear that you like them so much.
Kay
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Carol I just looked up my exerstrider nordic poles and they say that it takes stress of hips and knees. You may want to dig them out and give it a go. Just be aware of what your body is saying.
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hugz, what a great idea! It's stinkin' hot here now, but when it drops a few degrees I'll get the poles out and see how they treat my knee. You are brilliant!
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Ok, Just did the walk and I really liked it because it was cloudy. I really tore up the pavement for 45 minutes. I can't seem to make myself go further though. Its like I will do the 45 and thats all I have to offer.
Hey where is everyone. Come on.......Strap on those sneakers and give it all you got!
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I strapped on my pool shoes and worked out in the pool for an hour. Back at it again tomorrow. My husband is unemployed currently and the Y just gave me three free months of membership! So happy.
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Thanks for the nudge Hugz. Only thirty minutes for me cause it was late and I want to be able to fall asleep later but enough excuses, really Hugz, without your example I wouldn't have bothered, so again thank you.
And wow the banks of rhododendrons up at the golf course were so gorgeous, who knew, and the trees so green after the rain and here it was 9 o'clock and still daylight...
Kathy
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An hour in the pool, 3.5 mile walk, light weight work. I'm looking forward to being able to doing that without feeling completely exhausted afterwards....One of my new friends in the pool is a recent endometrial cancer survivor who has been recently diagnosed with LE in her leg. Her ankle/foot are swollen and she doesn't have compression yet---yikes!
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Leben was all I could manage today. Really got to get in gear here.0 -
Thoroughly enjoyed outdoor high school graduation last week for my youngest, followed by a grad party at our home. It is such a blessing to be here and healthy for this event. Now closing out the school year and packing up to work summer camp at Bay Cliff Health Camp way up in the U.P. of Michigan. I will get to walk along the Lake Superior bay when I have a free moment. As there is no Wifi at camp, will be out of communication this summer, but not off the exercise path. See you all again in August. Keep choosing to challenge yourselves in whatever you pursue this summer.
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OOOOO, the UP !! A place that I want to go one day!! I want to see that shipwreck museum and cruise on Lake Superior. Have a great summer!0 -
Hello all,
I am not a stranger to those boards, but I have not been here before. I have a question for all you well informed ladies.
I went to see an LE specialist before my DIEP reconstruction. It's been over a year since my double BMX, but all of a sudden this spring after doing some heavy gardening I started having some issues with my right arm, and pain in one finger. The LE specialist compared arms and said she thought they were very close in size, and since it was my right arm that was slightly bigger it might just be from being the dominant arm. She suggested wearing a sleeve when I exercise, do house work, garden, etc. I just came across a posting about the danger's of not wearing a glove when you are wearing a sleeve. What is your educated opinion on this. If you are wearing a sleeve, are you all wearing a glove too?
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I wear both when I fly as a precaution. Most of my LE is truncal and very little arm involvement. So I wear a sleeve, without glove, when I'm gardening etc. but I think it you have it mostly in arm that a glove would be a good idea.
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Thanks, Glennie. I appreciate the input. I really dislike the sleeve I got. The silicone edge has little bumps in it, and when I take the sleeve off I have little round dots on my upper arm for a while. I am so paranoid I have been wearing the sleeve when I am in the house, and doing stuff, but when I go out I take it off, but my arm looks funny with the silly dots...lol. I guess I will try to get a glove since I am hoping to fly soon. The problem I am having with one finger came on very suddenly. I was standing holding on to a garden rake while I talked to my neighbor for over a hour, and when I let go of the rake my finger was hurting and hasn't stopped since. If I rub it the pain will go away, but comes back once I start using it. I can still wear my ring on that finger, etc. so who knows? Maybe it's just another lovely old age issue.
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Goldie, hello!
You might think about taking the ring off until you figure out what's going on with the finger. Maybe wear it on a necklace? Other hand? Whatever--swelling can vacillate for awhile and then get "serious", and some of our gals have had issues with trying to get their rings off. Just a thought.
Be well!
Binney0 -
Thanks Binney. I don't wear my jewelry unless I go out, so the ring is off most of the time. I think is might be some arthritis, or nerve thing. I was doing a lot of gardening that week. I measure myself daily, and the LE woman did to. I am watching "compulsively" as my husband would tell you...
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I got 6 miles of walking in today, including airport concourse walking. Not as speedy as I like, but I am still protecting my newly bum knee.
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Go Carol !! Man,, I need to get motivated for exercise. Just sooo not motivated.I did get a massage today, and that really helped with my shoulder problem. Let's see how I feel tomorrow!
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Today I walked 4.6 miles outdoors in a hot city. I did it in 3 spurts, to and from a work assignment. The heat bugged my arm, but I'm still glad I got in some exercise.
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