Kicking LEs butt!! Exercise & Self Care Log
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Rained today, no walk outside. Foot was slightly achey, so it was just as well. Only news to report is finding a replacement for my sad bathing suit with the empty cups. Going to beach with husband on Sunday, and it will be nice to have something decent to wear. Interesting self observation, while I might feel self conscious wearing a bathing suit with no prosthetics, I am more aware of and bothered by other parts of my body that have lost muscle. Hmm, now if I can only practice the same kindness to the rest of my body that I have directed toward my chest over the past year. I feel like I am in "opposite world"!
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Way to go Carol. I am off to dam right now to meet up with friend. Great to get back into the routine. Tina--you will get that muscle back. Just relax and enjoy the new suit.
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Today I almost got to 10,000 steps--just under at 9,981! It was a two-flight day, and I had only an hour between flights, and was hungry. So I did my concourse speed walking for 30 minutes, wolfed down some salad and fruit for ten minutes and boarded the second flight. Then tonight, DH and I walked a bit in an adorable town nearby, where we went for dinner. Tomorrow my day is jam packed with work and LE volunteer work, so I don't foresee a long cardio session, but I'll see what I can work in. I have a longtime friend visiting for the weekend, and she arrives tomorrow night, so if only yakking counted as exercise, I'd be all set. She does love to stay active, so I'm sure we won't be sitting around. But the temp is going to get into the 90s, so no outdoor marathon walking---probably some paddling intead.
Tina, that muscle will return, but if you rush it, you'll overdo and aggravate your LE issues, so be patient. Which is what I believe you have told me in the past!!
Carol
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Carol, I appreciate the reminder and will not rush it. I am being good, trying to keep up with the LE self care even though I haven't been moving much during the day. Went to a show tonight and got to dance a bit, which was a lot of fun. Tomorrow and Friday morning I have appts with the LE therapist for MLD. My arm is feeling a little better, but now my trunk is bothering me. Think it was the bathing suit testing. Walking is definitely on the agenda for tomorrow.
I love your tales of airport walking, as it is such a great example that free time is always a chance for exercise! Sounds like you are going to be busy and have fun. Enjoy catching up with your friend.0 -
I listen to music while I exercise, and I notice my pace is definitely affected by what I listen to. Any siggestions on up Kicking LE butt (i.e., up tempo) music? I'm not a heavy metal kind of gal ... more folk/country (Dixie Chicks, Nancy Griffith, Irish/Scotish, Bill Morrisey etc.), Beatles, Paul Simon, etc. K
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KS1--We definitely have different tastes in music. I listen to classical, Charlotte Church, solitudes. Even if slow it seems to invigorate me. I do like Dolly Parton's heartsongs. If you want a fast pace get John Phillips Sousa. One of his marches came on my radio one day and I was flying-lol.
I did three times around dam yesterday am but the heat is just getting to me so I am moving it indoors. I am going to the community center to do the walking/running track later. I have been doing a minute on elliptical every 30 minutes while I do other sedentary work. I had planned to do treadmill at home but decided I need to get out at least for a few minutes.
I need to move to a colder climate!
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K, I've really been into Eilen Jewell the last couple of years. I guess she would be considered Americana, but her songs and albums are diverse in style. Her band did a Loretta Lynn tribute album, and she will take on a variety of cover songs and make them her own. However, she is also a terrific songwriter, has a love of honkytonk, rockabilly, and her tunes waft in and out of jazz, blues and country. I just adore her voice and enthusiasm. Her newest album is Queen of the Minor Key. Oh, and she and the members of her band are also part of a larger band, the Sacred Shakers, that performs gospel songs that rock out. My own taste in music is all over the map. I really enjoy an assortment of music styles depending on my mood. I am a rock 'n roll gal at heart but love Americana music and how it melds a variety of styles and creates something new and fun.
Becky, it must be very hot and humid by now, even in the early morning. What has allergy season been like this year?0 -
Becky, Michigan is waiting for you....
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I may consider Michigan someday. When I did my sabbatical at Michigan State I do remember a cool summer but a coooold winter!
Tina-We have had a fairly bad allergy season so far but better recently when we had some rain. We have not had a spring and last summer was bad too. We broke a record last summer with more days 90+ on record but we may beat that this summer. I am fortunate the community center is one mile away. I can also use the gym, pool, and walking track at the college where I teach and it is only a mile away too. Plus I have the elliptical, treadmill, and recumbent bike here at home so I should not be complaining. My sister just retired and we are planning some hikes in the Smokies when it gets cool in the fall. I can't wait.
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Becky - is that Loudon Dam you walk around? I have been down the way to visit friends. Nice area.
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Becky, Michigan is STILL waiting for you, even if you don't enjoy our winters!
Today I lifted weights at the gym, did some cardio there on the treadmill, did about 14 flights' worth of stairs, and managed about 8,900 steps during my day. So nothing spectacular, but I also had way too much time at my desk, so I feel like the day's activity was some kind of victory!
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Hey all you Le butter kickers. You sure are doing a wonderful job kicking LE in the butt.
I can''t believe I am going to say this, but I miss my walks. They are so beneficial for us. I love the fact that a walk can be meditative or motivating or a time for reflecting or energizing. A walk serves many purposes and we can steer it into any direction we feel like. Have done really slow 10 minute walks but I have not had too much improvement. I get hip grind if I even do 5 steps. grrrrr. Am off to chiropractor to get stretched out tomorrow. It provides relief but I seize up so quickly again. Oh well, I am just going to forge ahead and keep exercise in my mind and at the top of the list so as not to get out of the mood.
I understand you are all exercising in the heat so drink lots of water and keep up the tunes cause any kind of music is good for the soul.
Tina, we need you to post your water picture again! Hope your ankle smartens up. Dang ankle anyways!
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Carol, lift those weights for me, please! Sounds like you had a great day even though your desk tried to hold you hostage.
Saw my therapist today, and all I can say is ahhhhh!!! Looking forward to tomorrow's session. Therapist told me today I should skip the July PAL program because she doesn't want me to risk making anything worse. Thought I might want to wait until fall, that the program wasn't going anywhere. I think she was concerned I might be upset by this news, but I said I had kind of figured July might be out. August is, well, August, and that's just a toss up when it comes to flares, so I may indeed be looking at fall to start. I will just focus on my cardio, stretching and some ab and lower body toning, which will be fine. We will video the wrapping when I return, as well as take measurements for the night sleeve. More MLD sessions, I am sure. Taking it day by day.
Not much to report for activity today. On the lookout for an exercise compression tank I can wear by itself now that it's heating up. All these layers are too much already! It's hard enough to find an undergarment that fits well, but I will report back what I find. I had originally thought if I was successful in finding something like this I could even skip the formal bathing suit and go for a more casual or atheletic look. I want comfort, good fit for LE, and something that flatters. Is it too much to ask? I am so tired of seeing only racerback exercise tops.0 -
Hugz, I dawdled so long composing, I missed your post. I sure hope you get some relief from your hip grind. Your thoughts on walking are right on. I can sense your frustration and sadness. It just isn't fair to be deprived of something so basic. I felt that way with my foot injury, even though I knew it was temporary. Speaking of that foot, I think it is pretty much 100%, and I need to stop worrying and give it a whirl. Does bicycling hurt your hip the same way walking does? The legs are moving, but perhaps it's smoother and less jarring to hip? I know we have mentioned swimming, but bicycling can provide a similar meditative quality as walking. Feel better - hugs to you, Hugz.
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Tina--I walk at Cherokee Dam. It is in Jefferson County. Sometimes I go to Panther Creek Park in Hamblen County. The trails there are more rugged than Cherokee but not as scenic. Yes, Loudon Dam is pretty. There is also Douglas Dam. Really looking forward to your visit.
Hugz--I do hope that hip gets better soon. I know it is frustrating cheerleading from the sidelines.
I have an appt with oncologist today. Ugh. So no morning walking. When I get home I will do weights and probably go to community center to walk.
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Hugz! Grinding of the hip does NOT sound good. Is it bone on bone? What is going on? I agree, the pool is great for non weight bearing activities... So is the bike, but since it is a consistent repetetive movement, I wonder if it will hurt you as well? Is this an arthritis issue?
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Just got back from the dam walking with my friend before it got too hot-7 Miles.I am getting ready to do weights then clean house some. Haven't done MLD or MLD exercises yet either. I gotta get cracking when I would rather read a good book!
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I've been busy having fun with an old friend, so not online much in the past few days. Yesterday we hopped on the stand-up paddle boards for about an hour, and then did 45 minutes in a kayak that you move by pushing your feet--not in full circles like a bicycle, but more back-and-forth like some stair steppers. It was great exercise, but my arm was a bit achey today, and I wondered if it was the paddling or was it the barometric pressure change that brought a huge thunder/lightening storm this afternoon? I wore a sleeve and glove while paddling, but still there's a good amount of arm work. I'll be doing more paddling tomorrow and will pay close attention to cause/effect. It's a lot of fun, so I sure hope my arm can make peace with the activity.
Today was a walking day--about 7.5 miles, but not all at once, and not at a very speedy pace, as my friend is quite fit, but not a speedy walker. And I got 15 flights of stairs into the day. So a pretty good day overall. MLD coming up next before I nod off.
Carol
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Okay - my steps slowed down but I have been keeping up with regular MLD, adding some Lebed and the occasional Flexi-touch (pneumatic) massage. I feel pretty confident I can almost manage my LE at home or in the US. Still need to master wrapping. International travel scares me - maybe I won't know until I complete a multi-flight, long-hours journey.
I do need to focus on the steps - I have extra pounds that need to go. I think my thyroid is out of whack - did fine for many years but radiation changed that. I'm wearing hoodies when the outside temp is 90+ and inside is 77. Fingers, nose and toes are cold. Having labs drawn this week.
This is just a new way of life that I struggle to embrace. I don't really like routine, I like to make up my day as I go. I'm more of a get it done/get it behind me than a long term project person - yep, LE is a long term project. hmmm....
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Nordy. No I don't think I am bone on bone but I feel a grinding sensation. Yes I have arthritis and I thought there could be a posibility of it in my hip starting up. My accupunturist thinks it may be bursitis.I really think that it is my medius in my back that ends over the hip area is the cause and the constant gardening for hours brought it on. The chiro is doing active release therapy which loosens the muscles up and this has been the most help. I am trying a bit of everything.
Have five finger toe runners on order comming. Going to try those out to see what my hip thinks. I did try them last summer but I kept stubbing my toe. I wonder if it was because I was nordic pole walking when I used them? Anyone else using them or having this problem. Nordy do you run in them? I don't think I should try biking yet. I may have to start deep water running, etc. but I hate public pools so much?
Tina, Talking about compression camis and getting hot. Yah... how do we cool off? I am really feeling restricted in all this elastic stuff. I hate it with a vengence. It makes me 20 degrees hotter. I am the kind of person that would discard clothing if I could get away with it. Unfortunately my body would scare, cats, dogs, children and full grown men!
Myself too!I walked my sis Goldendoodle today really slow and it was so nice to be out after yesterday's torrential rain storm. Yes ,I could feel it in my hip.
Carol, That kayak paddling with feet sounds interesting.
I think your arm may be sore due to SUP. It sucks when we love to do something, then we get carried away in the activity and then pay for it later. Watch it for a few days. You sure had a good exercise day Carol.
Ohio, Sounds like you are kicking LE in the Butt from every angle possible. Yah go for it.
Being cold is a symptom for thyroid problems. Unfortunately I just had to have mine xrayed last week as Emergency was looking for a caught up fish bone in my throat. Make sure when you are at the dentist to ask for a thyroid guard to cover it up when being xrayed. Like we haven't had enough radiation from BC. I am sure we all are glowing up the sky by now.Becky, you are so inspiring. I just know you are on the right path to health.
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Hugz, aaaaaaugh! Did you get the fish bone out okay!
Good grief! Finish the story, please!
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Oh yah, The bone must have went down with some bread and milk I used to wash it down with, (a restaurant servers trick that works.) But I wasn't sure as I felt a sensation like I had a pill stuck in my throat. Checked it out to be sure. No problem........... The real problem was the lady that came in after me and swolled a sewing needle.
Now that was bad. Did I mention I had to wait the same amount of time that the sewing needle lady had to wait. 3 1/2 hours to be served. Welcome to Health Canada! Could I could waiting in the emerg room as mental exercise in patience?0 -
Nordy -your are my hero! Such an inspiration!
I've been down and out ladies. In preparation for leaving for a business trip, I mopped my floors and vacuumed my house, cleaned out litter boxes all on same day. Not.good. Then, spent the next day driving for five hours, then arriving later than expected and late...carried my stuff up to my room only to find out my key wasn't activated properly and had to carry it back down.....grrrrrrrr! Too much. Way too much. It was almost two weeks ago and I'm still paying for it. I know better...but grrrrrrr. Swelling was better today than since I started the overload. My arm still hurts, though. I've done nothing with weights since then, only cardio and it hasnt seemed to help.
I'm scheduled to teach at a youth camp this week, no air conditioning, hottest week of year thus far....I can't get ahead. I am going to hit the pool this week, though.
How do you all keep up with housework? I think I'm going to have to hire a housekeeper. I can't do it anymore. I live by myself. No one to help. I feel so handicapped.
Ugh. You all are an inspiration. I'm still training for a 6k in September. So far my knees are holding up. Doing a lot of interval and cross training. So...that is some good stuff. Thanks for letting me vent. I need to do more MLD. I so hate doing it, though.0 -
Oh and you all can appreciate this! Probably belongs on the grrrrrr thread...but...on Friday, it was blazing hot, I'd been out too long running errands, had my glove and sleeve on but I could feel my arm and fingers swelling up, it hurt...I parked in a handicapped place close to door, left my car running, walked twenty feet to put my videos in the return slot and some lady was pointing at my car, shaking her head and said, "You shouldn't have parked here!" and she kept on yelling, Any other day I would have let it go and I probably should have that day as well...but I was so fed up with LE, with the pain, with the heat, with the swelling I walked up to her and said, "What is your problem?" She then started yelling and screaming at me for parking in a handicapped parking place...really? I was there for ten seconds...there were other handicapped spaces...at one point I raised up my arms to show her my gloves and sleeves and said, "What does this look like?" ugh. I lost it. Totally had a "Towanda" moment. When we're flaring they should lock us away, far, far away.
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Dawne-Hope - I have a housekeeper that comes in once a month - started that long before the BC journey. Best money spent. A real blessing now. I live alone, built a bigger house than I probably needed so there is more space than I live in but it still gets dusty. I do my own everyday chores and keep everything in it's place but she does the repetitive stuff. I love it - it makes me feel like I'm being pampered.
Since she does all the routine work - I do the furniture moving, cleaning out closets, etc but that is 'as tolerated' which means whenever I feel like it.
Get a housekeeper
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Hi All--Hugz you really have some sagas!
I did not do any cardio yesterday but a lot of MLD. My arm is fine but I am having trouble in the heat with my trunk. I am moving my cardio indoors for awhile as I have no problem in the ac. So goodby dam. Luckily I have my machines at home or I can go to community center. Think I will do treadmill today as I need to do weights.
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Becky - this heat really is playing the LE card. Up and down - I think I need to retire and work full time at LE and exercise. My goal today is to get on the treadmill for a few 10 minutes intervals. It will be a nice break from work, will be knee friendly, and make me feel like I'm doing something for myself.
I read your posts and wonder how you fit in all the exercise - amazing.
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Yesterday was a good exercise day for me. I did a cardio Leslie Sansone DVD for 45 minutes, and later went back out on the SUP board. Wow was it windy! Standing on the board makes your body a sail, so sometimes I was paddling hard and going nowhere. And I fell in once, after getting unbalanced while trying to dig into the water for more power. It was really hot, so the water felt great. And at bedtime, I took extra long for MLD, hoping to ward off aches. This morning, no unusual arm aches or issues, so all seems well. The SUP lesson I took stressed the importance of using abs instead of arms to power the board. I worked on that, but must refine that technique.
It is storming big time today. I am in my car, waiting for a ferry to arrive, as I am crossing Lake Michigan to work near Milwaukee tomorrow. I was hoping to get an afternoon of walking in, on arrival, but if this weather continues on the other side of the lake, it will be hotel treadmill for me...bah!
Oddly, the barometric pressure does not seem to be causing LE ache this morning. I will never figure this thing out!
Have a great LE care day, everyone!
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Carol - that storm front came through Ohio yesterday and looks to continue today. Agree about not figuring out LE aches. I didn't have any aches with change in weather this weekend but had a more swelling. Just when I think I am onto something I can predict things change.
I think we could fill a book on what we cannot figure out/predict rather than what we know. I think I can predict that sitting in church (with arm down) increases swelling. But nothing much to do about that - I can't sit there waving my arms during service. I may need to move to the back row - - - but that is already full! LOL - may need to get there earlier for a back row seat.
I can confirm that LE has changed my life. The exercise is a good change. The unpredictability is annoying, the tools to manage are good.
Okay - I'm not getting any work done when I open this website during the day.
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Dawne-Hope, goodness!
That entire saga about your trip was like dominoes falling one after the other--aaaugh! The extra trip up and down the stairs with luggage just made me cringe. As for the camp teaching--stay in that pool!Let us know how it goes. And be well!
Binney0
