Kicking LEs butt!! Exercise & Self Care Log
Comments
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Carol, I think the 2-week LE spa/camp is an excellent idea. I vote for holding it on a Greek island
Like you, I worked out with (light) weights before surgery to have optimal blood flow etc. I figured it could only help.
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Tina, so jealous that you got to see the Vinny show. Hope you had a fabulous time on the trip.
As for the rash, my dh is prone to skin rashes and they always go away if he uses only PH-balanced shower gel. Aveeno is also PH-balanced, I think. You could try it. We swear by it.
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I was just in the US, got back yesterday, and while there went sleeve shopping. I now have sleeves that stay up and separate gauntlets. Yeah! Before I had a 2-in-1 sleeve and gauntlet and it was driving me nuts. First of all it kept sliding down and secondly it really chafed where the thumb meets the hand, so that it was chronically painful to wear. The separate gauntlet also hurts every so often, but nowhere near as much.
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That sounds great Tina!
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I am paying for playing... Lol! 100 miles on my bike today with 4800' of climbing. Arm is up, hand is up - about 1/2 to 1 cm all over. About to wrap and then go on the flexi tomorrow morning. Was it worth it? You bet! So fun in a painful sort of way!
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nordy - Thanks for the cool down tips, always a good reminder! I like chocolate almond milk as a cool down drink.
Odwalla and Naked juices are my favorite juices. I like "Green Machine" ... can't remember, though if that is Odwalla or Naked. 
Paying for playing ... is the best kind of playing!
Love your attitude, girl! I need some of what you got! 
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While this is more like un-exercise, I just arrived home from a 2 day car drive, with 2 dogs, from chicago to Dallas. My LE did surprisingly well. My abdomen and most of my back is kinesiotaped almost like a mummy, and that really helped. I stopped about every 2 hours and did a lot of movement. I also did a few random detours through Missouri to find buried relatives from long ago, which added to the drive time, but increased the fun factor a lot.
Yay, kinesiotape.0 -
Kc- i am so glad the kinesio tape works for you. I did not have as much success with it! But it is so good to hear you do!
Dawne- you are very welcome! I like the chocolate almond drinks too! Whatever is available- I am not too picky!0 -
PS - on the flexi right now - not easy to type w/one hand. But armis nearly back to baseline after wrapping and elevation! Woohoo!
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Back on thread girls, had a slight detour with momzie landing herself in hospital with a cast on her foot. I only exercised once in the last few days due to Momzie's condition brought on by over-gardening. We are talking about a girl that is in her high eighties. So I will try my best to squeeze in my exercise and be the good little servant daughter at the same time. Good thing I am in the habit of walking on my lunch hour and doing the dreaded steps at work. Unfortunately the heat has kicked up here!
Tina and rest doing Eldercare. You all deserve huge hugz repeatedly! Big job huh?
I skimmed some off the posts and will try and catch up with everyone.
KS1, Tthanks for the white pimple in web info. Amazing, I thought it might be a callus but it is just so pimple like. I still want to scratch it off but won't. I will print out your post and show my mld girl,
Nordy, Thanks for all the hints on exercise. That is really great. Thanks for being the exercise guru. Love it.
Ok, so it was 85 today and I just wanted to rip my sleeve off and strangle anything that walked by. Funny, because I never have these kinds of thoughts but this sleeve stuff just drives me crazy! Don't worry I won't come near you but just let me near the "docs in denial"!
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I agree that this sleeve is a bummer in the heat. I was melting when I walked yesterday. Mine is black. I just ordered tan for the summer but wonder if it will be any cooler.
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I find the silverwave to be cooler in the heat. But I have heard some people say the opposite. For me it has a cooling effect. Although, it is not enough compression when I am riding. I think trying to make sure you stay hydrated is key. Otherwise I have no tips - use lots of sunscreen!
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Rash is freakin' kicking my butt!!! Gaaaahhhhhhh!!! I will have to wrap tonight, as I think my arm and hand are a little up. I am going to wear sleeve today, eff you, rash!
Nordy, you are awesome, and like I always say, such an inspiration to us all. I have yet to take my bike out. It is calling to me, but without proper compression on my arm, I fear big problems. I don't know, you seem to just do and then deal, and I wouldn't be doing anything near a hundred miles. Maybe a short ride without compression would be better than no ride? I can hear my therapist yelling at me on that thought, as it goes against all exercise instructions with LE! I am leaving for FL, and while there I will have access to my 1968 women's Schwinn, 3 speeds, upright handlebars. Perhaps I can take a little cruise on that?
Hugz, hope your mom is feeling better. At least with a cast on her foot she will have to refrain from climbing ladders to dust! Sounds like she has a lot of will, which is great, but knowing when to stop is something she is going to have to consider. My aunt was just telling me she was exhausted from having family visit with her for a couple of weeks. They were going nonstop. Her doc said she needs to understand it takes longer to bounce back, things will tire her more in her mid-80s. Still, it must be hard to hear that or have to scale back expectations.
KC, sounds like you had a fun trip. Love the kinesiotape, but haven't used in a while. Glad it worked for you.
Still fiddling' with Pinterest. Have to initially hook up account through Facebook of twitter but then can remove connection. Don't want to connect to my personal FB account or use private email, so I am creating another personal account using different address since it is temporary thing. Will keep you posted. Doesn't sound that difficult.0 -
Hey girls! I did, I did, I did, get my walk in today! Well only 40 minutes. Going to MLD girl tomorrow and going to show her my wrap job. Seeing if all that practice is paid off.
I am envious that you girls have swimming pools outdoors. But I am not envious that you have over 80 degree weather! If I lived in a hot climate you would have to fish me out of the pool!
How is the damm walker. Saw she was busy with Grad and sch. I got to admit that girl is determined to exercise.
Tina. You always floor me when you do all those steps. I found out the dreaded hill that I tried last month is a 16 degree grade. That is steep for me!
All the rest of you. I am so proud of you kicking LE in the butt. Keep it up!
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Tina! I would not ride without compression! I pay for it regardless, but only when I am riding really long distances - and of course it is always worse when it is hot! I don't know... Florida = heat, sun, humidity... And to ride with no compression... I don't think I would do it. And you all know how I liketo push the envelope. No all those things, but with compression? Yes, I would do it. But right now you need to let your rash fade away. Do they not want you in compression with the rash? I have had hives a couple of tmes (not the same as contact dermatitis but itchy just the same) and I have always just continued to wrap and wear my sleeve. I did NOT when I had cellulitis. Hmmm, figuring out what is best is really hard isn't it? Hang in there!
Hugz - I am with you on the heat thing! I prefer cooler temps, although I do like the sun!0 -
Hi All, Papers are graded, grades are posted, and graduation ceremonies are over. I am free for the summer to focus on our LE support group! I am going up to Philadelphia at the end of the month and hope to meet up with Tina to walk her killer hill! Tina I guess you are packing now. I do hope the rash is better.
I have been getting all of my exercise in--an hour on either treadmill or elliptical. It has been raining too much or too hot to go to the dam. Yesterday after 30 minutes on the elliptical I decided I could not do another minute. So I moved to the treadmill for 30 minutes at the highest incline. Seemed to make time go faster so will do it again today.
Hope all have a good day with lots of movement!
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I fell off the exercise wagon, although I have been gardening.
With the whole upheaval in my professional/personal life, my MLD slacked, and I noticed the difference, so it's back on the schedule.
I did this frantic, I'll interview for ANY job routine, and yesterday a very promising situation presented itself, so I'm going to cancel all the ridiculous interviews I had set up and actually chill for a while.
Traveling to Vermont to speak at the Vodder recertification this weekend: It's called "Dilemmas in Diagnosis: Denying our Reality"
Now, to get back to exercising. It's getting warm, but we put in central A/C last week. And after 4 years on tamoxifen, I'm doing the nighttime hot flashes like there's no tomorrow.
And, my mother's feet and leg swelled, and I had my father put on compression stockings, which worked wonders--she was getting a bed sore from laying in bed with her leg up on pillows and ice, and then my sister found they were folding them over just below the knee....My father is complaining about how difficult they are, and I had them get the one's that are more like sports socks. And they get some PT and home care services. And no one addressed the swelling, except to immobilize her.
Should this be in the grrrrr thread?
Kira
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Sounds like everyone is focused on exercise and LE care, with a side order of challenge of one sort or another. Heat, rashes, and just plain having the rest of life put a claim on our time. I think it's great that Tina started this thread, because it's an ever-present but gentle reminder to take care of ourselves.
I am having a hard time getting enough exercise in these days. Last week, I managed to get plenty of walks in, during airport connections and while working in Denver, although I chose to slow down the pace in Denver out of respect for the higher altitide. The weekend was a near total loss for exercise. I flew to where my family all live, instead of flying home, to spend Mothers Day together. DH met me there, and 18 hours after arrival Saturday afternoon, we drove the 6 hours home, and then repacked prior to leaving very early Monday for work on the west coast. Here, seminars to teach but moving from city to city by train each night, and I do not predict much free time to get that desired cardio hour. Even yesterday's flight schedule gave me little time for my usual airport speedy walks. I call all of this frustrating! Last night I could have walked, but chose to have dinner with a much loved nephew instead. I did manage to get the MLD in yesterday; that's something at least.
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Hugz, glad you got your workout in. I have to remind myself that the steps do count, but I know it is less effort than my 3 mi walk in the hilly neighborhood near me.
Kira you're not the only one who's been a little off track. Heh, heh, Ms. Becky thinks she's going for a fun walk up the monster hill, little does she know she will be pulling me along in the exercise wagon while I hold on for my dear life!!
Nordy, thanks for the firm reminder that I need to wear compression when I go biking. Will do. Rash was on my upper arm, and the friction/tightness of sleeve was bothering me. I did wear sleeve the other day and it didn't make it worse. Last night I received my new custom beige sleeve and glove, so I am going to try on today and check fit. So glad it arrived in time for travel!!
Carol, ya know, I was doing all that preachy talk about dealing with the ups and downs of LE, but in my head I wasn't thinking the downs would last this long! I'm working on patience and being kind to myself. I know this is an unusual phase. By the way, I have finally created a board on Pinterest and plan to make you my first victim, I mean, test invitee. I will send you an email, and we will see how this works. I am not sure, but I hope others will not have to register the way I did to access and post on board I started.0 -
Carol, I just sent you an email from a different account. I think you will recognize me when you receive. Let me know if there's a problem.
Tina
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My class is finally over and I've been kind of a bum ... not drinking enough water, not exercising, no stretching and no MLD. I finally pried myself off the couch and got myself to the gym tonight. Did MLD before donning my sleeve and glove, did super sets with 5 minute elliptical, bike and treadmill in between. My arm feels a lot better. I've really got to work on my water consumption.
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Dawne-Hope, Me too--I have a hard time remembering to drink water. I'll bet lots of us are in that boat.
Tina--saw your message and looking forward to seeing what you did with Pinterest. For those who haven't read all the posts, Tina is working on a way we can have a community Pinterest account, so when we find interesting products that relate to LE care, we can post them there...in addition to talking about and linking to them in our various LE threads. That way they won't get lost as the threads move forward.
Today I was indoors in a classroom all day, but I managed to walk 3.6 miles, mostly after my train ride to tonight's destination. And...I did not drink enough water!!! (Why does that simple task feel like it is so hard to accomplish?) Dawne-Hope, if you come up with any ideas to help do better on this, I'm all ears.
Carol
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Carol - my gym is across the street from Wal-Mart and I headed over there and bought some Perrier water. When I'm way behind on my consumption, drinking Perrier or any kind of sparkling water helps me. I get so tired of drinking plain water. So...that is my only tip at this point.
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I am horrible at drinking water too! I think I am perpetually dehydrated. In fact the only time I think I get enough water is when I am riding. Maybe because I know I won't make it without. All other times I just forget!
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I went on a 10-day trip to the US, got back late last week. Because I was traveling and eating out all the time, my diet went seriously downhill. On the other hand, I got lots of walking in, especially in NY. Nothing I love more than walking up and down Manhattan.
I also managed to buy new sleeves while there, since the selection here is miserable.
I did notice, after coming home, that going back to my good veggie diet made the arm improve.
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It is 7:00 am here and I am getting ready for a long walk out at the dam while it is still cool. I guess I better keep up a steady schedule since I will soon be pulling Tina up the monster hill!
We will have to post a picture of that!!! Tina--Have a good trip-it is tomorrow right? Hope there is no swelling.
Carol and others--I have a hard time hydrating while in a class or conference because then I have to go to the bathroom so much. I don't mind drinking a lot of water but only when I can go. I am probably waterlogged some days as much as I go.
Binney--I have on a short sleeve shirt!---and LOTS of sunscreen and Off.
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Maybe it's with the update, but I know we've put them in before, maybe pm the mods with the URL
Thanks for all your wonderful information
Kira
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I think I got it right now. So, here are a few links to bring diversity and fun to your training programs.
For cardio: A 40mn "Dance off the inches" video. I already have two DVDs from the same series that I ordered from amazon.com, but ordering from the States turns out a bit expensive as the shipping sometimes costs more than the DVD itself! This video is available for free on Youtube. Tried it this morning and loved it. This one really gets you going!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUieo6Mc9EA&feature=related - "Tummy tone-party zone"
For relaxation: AI CHI (Tai Chi in the water). Two videos from the Italian Ai Chi Association with Japanese Master Jun Konno. Good quality videos and relaxing music. Moves are simple and very soothing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wje4Y4E1CXA&feature=relmfu - Part I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anplxTKNIHI&feature=BFa&list=ULWje4Y4E1CXA&lf=mfu_in_order -Part II
Ai chi postures can be found on the following web sites:
ATRI - Aquatic Therapy and Rehab Institute: at the end of the following article about meridians
http://www.atri.org/articles/Meridians1.pdf
The National Center on Physical Activity and Disability:
http://www.ncpad.org/videos/fact_sheet.php?sheet=425&view=all&print=yes
First, I rehearsed all the moves at home to learn them. Then, I tried Ai Chi twice at the local pool (therapy pool) and I noticed that I definitely get better results in terms of limb reduction when doing these smooth moves (compared to aquatic exercises) and also in terms of body/mind relaxation. Definitely, something I will keep on doing regularly., just by myself.
If you have your own pool, it is even better. Enjoy the quietness....
Have fun
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Nitocris, thanks for the links. Going to have a look since I will have access to a pool in the next few days.
I haven't worn a bathing suit since I reconstructed and then developed truncal LE. Let's see, that's 2009. I did go through my suits last summer after deconstructing - I have a number of them since I used to love the beach and pool - and I may be able to find one that works. If not, I will just wear an old tank top. There's no one around I would worry about seeing my flat chest because: I. don't. care. Now, looking at my saggy butt and thighs will bother ME more than anything!! I may be thin, but I have lost my tone. Oh, and I have a lovely rash!! I think I will have to ban the use of a mirror . .
I always forget to drink water, too, which is why I created my colorful sign. Here it is again:
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