Kicking LEs butt!! Exercise & Self Care Log
Comments
-
Tina, nice to know you are strong. feels good doesn't it.
I find when I am on vacation I get a bit lax and do things I shouldn't do or sometimes I get so involved in a project and I forget I have LE. Like my friend that got LE from moving her mom's boxes. So I don't want to spoil your vacation but I would like you to be forwarned, have fun but don't forget yourself and end up injured or swelled. Really glad to hear you did MLD. Keep it up.What does the rain do to you? I was thinking that the rain would be better for you than the humid, hot days. Does the air pressure make a difference?
Ohio, Sounds like you have good LE plans. Yes us LE girls do understand. My sister's are just the best but they would never be able to understand the emotions that LE'rs have. I'm always trying to hide my sleeve and my sis says don't bother it's no problem, just wear it and get on with life. But it is only us LE'rs that really understand what it is like to wear a evening gown and a ugly glove and sleeve and try to look feminine. I have often thought that I need a shrink to help me with this. Funny but I didn't need much head help with the deadly diagnosis of cancer but stupid LE bugs the heck out of me. Sorry for the rant. I know this is the exercise thread. I will do my little walk today and strectch out.
0 -
Hugz - I totally agree! I really struggled with why LE was so much more distressing than BC. I try to explain but people don't get it. I need to consider my ARM in everything I do and my day now consists of focusing on LE care, do I need MLD, donning sleeve, blah, blah. Yes - I am grateful to be 'cancer-free' but I'm left with this dang LE that is plain annoying and it is not going away. My one sister is really diving in to learn to about LE and assists with wrapping, etc. Past that she just knows I can't get past the LE! I even told the NP I would do another round of chemo if it would resolve LE - I know it won't, it's just that BC treatment was task oriented and LE is forever. Argh.
I could go on but you get the idea.
Okay - whew that felt good. Yeah! Another good reason to hang around this forum.
0 -
Hugz and Ohio, these feelings are part of the ups and downs of living with LE, and I think they belong here as much as anywhere else. I started this thread so I didn't feel like I was going to be gobbled up by the horrible LE monster. It is normal to have days when you're just sick of the whole regimen, which is why it is great we can help motivate and inspire each other here. It's true, all the steps with BC were task oriented with a beginning, middle and end. It makes something more tolerable to know it will end, and approximately when. LE is the opposite; it's random, chaotic, even when we try to figure out all the behaviors, diet, etc that impact it. Even with all the best self observation about what makes your LE worse or flare, there are times when we have no idea when swelling or a flare will occur. Or whether it will progress. Or if one will get cellulitis. I know life is filled with uncertainty, but this condition makes one aware of it everyday. It's frightening at times.
Ohio, the first year I had LE was the most difficult. Yes, it is a learning process about what you can and can't do, or how you need to modify an activity so you can continue to do it. I mourned each time I recognized yet another thing LE had taken from me. I cried a lot. It took me a while to wrap my head around it, but eventually I realized there are a million things to do in life. I saw that I could stay stuck in thinking about the things I could no longer do, or I could get busy and discover new things I can do. It's kind of refreshing when looked at that way - being pushed out of doing old favorite things and trying something different, learning a new skill, stretching myself in ways I never considered. But wearing LE garments when it's 90 degrees or a sleeve and glove with a formal gown, that's always going to suck.
By the way, Hugz, I definitely know better than to lift stuff without garments or lift things that are too heavy, and 97% of the time I live by those guidelines. Once in a while I just forget and do something stupid, but it usually is when I feel good and get caught up in the moment. Those things are dangerous, but I can't help but get a little thrill out of being able to do something - makes me realize I should eventually be able to start a weightlifting program and regain some strength.
Wanna hear something silly? After I moved the tables I realized there hasn't been any disfunction or spasm in my pectoral muscles since my implants were removed. My muscles move in the way they used to. So, I got curious and looked at my chest in the mirror. I can flex my pecs one at a time just like I used to years ago. It's kind of funny to watch the muscles jump independently. I guess it's more noticeable now without the breast tissue. I am so glad Dr. Massey reattached my muscles so they function normally again. So now you have a visual of how I briefly entertained myself this afternoon!0 -
I finished the weekend by logging 7200 steps today! That is really big! My knees are screaming - had to discontinue anti-inflammatories in preparation for port removal next week. Gonna be a tough week - but it's only for a short while.
Have upped my water to about 16 glasses a day. I love water - don't like juices or anything bubbling. Outside of morning coffee, water is my friend. With this heat, LE seems to like the added water - a good thing.
Hugz - you are so right. This past year (surgery was 7/11/11) has been an emotional roller-coaster. Got the big stuff behind me and I had lots of emotion over the LE. However, these past two weeks I began logging my steps, MLD, Flexi, water, heat, and my own LE staging. LOL - as long as I have a spreadsheet where I can track changes I feel like I have more control. I still freak over 'new' situations because of the unknown. I think I got out of an international trip - I was just stressed over the unknown. As I get better with the daily maintenance and exercise I hope I get better facing new challenges.
Never really liked to garden but it bugs me that I now have all the LE considerations out in the garden. Sat and Sun morning I was out in the garden - dang it - it's not getting the best of me. I can find a way to do my own chores - it may take me longer to get the work done but I will finish. Gonna get out there for another 20-30 minutes before work in the morning.
Oh well, today was a good day heat and all. Life is good.
0 -
Carol--I often would fall off the fitness routine but since LE have been faithful and hope it keeps me faithful forever. I do feel so much better.
I did weights and 2 mi of Sasone yesterday before driving back to TN from IN. I will do an hour of treadmill today then a teeth cleaning. Then repacking for a trip to FL on Wednesday. I will be at a beach some but right now am not too excited with the heat. May do more Sasone or beach walking early am. Then a reunion in Orlando which will be INDOORS and has a gym. It is so hard to be faithful to diet and exercise when traveling. I don't know how you do it continually Carol.
Just do one minute more today than you did yesterday. A trainer once said you can do anything for one minute (I could challenge him about that on some things!).
0 -
Hi,
Becky, I envy you. Florida, the beach.... I am freezing here. This morning the temperature was 12 degrees and so much fog you could not see the neighbour's house.
I have been seating at my computer too long, so I need to get moving now. My daughter is joining in for the L. Sansone 3 miles routine today. YEP, YEP! She started the BeFit in 90 days program saturday and did a Jillian Michaels yesterday.
PTdreamers, Tina, I think the YouTube/Befit web site is really great and offers videos for every mood and level of fitness. Before starting any workout, I would recommend to watch it entirely first to check if it is OK for you, get familiar with the moves and modify whenever needed. I don't do J. Michaels or any other bootcamp-type videos; Even though I have the strength and endurance to do these workouts, my LE usually does not respond very well to these rough trainings.
Carol, I bought a pedometer, but It seems to have a mind of its own and only counts steps when it wants.
I think I'll keep on counting miles with L. Sansone.0 -
Ok. I succumbed and bought a Leslie Sansone walking dvd. It was only 4.99 and has the 1 one and 2 mile ab workout. Not ready to do abs! Don't know when I will try it?
0 -
Hugz-- lol - I just received my Leslie Sansone 4 in 1 DVD. Amazon=$11.93.
Does looking at the DVD help? Or do I need to do something more?
Already took the wrapping off - gonna count that as my exercise for today.
Cracking myself up - I can do this, really I can, I know I can
0 -
Ohio. I'm smiling at your looking at it comment. Yah... I unwrapped mine and actually plopped myself on the bed and watched it.
As soon as I can get this dang hip figured out I will be doing the date with Leslie on the rainy days.If it helps...I am proud to say I was able to do 2, 15 minute walks
but I had to strectch out majorly aftereach walk. I just want to get better and walk againBecky, you beach queen. showing off your legs to all those cute buff boys on the beach. How brave you are showing off your new bod. And you should!
0 -
No Leslie Sansone for me today....I followed my granddaughter around all day! And I went to a huge grocery store to shop for the mob who will continue to trickle in over the next week. I looked at the pedometer when I walked in and when I got to my car with groceries: almost 4,000 steps! That plus running after the 15 month old, plus 20 minutes on a treadmill, got me to 14,110 steps today. And I swam for 20 minutes and I did my usual hour-long weight lifting at the gym. I'm exhausted typing all that movement. Call it nervous energy I was trying to work off, and now that my elderly parents are here, who need a lot of attention, I really don't imagine I'll get so much dedicated activity time in.
Ohio, you are really tearing up your personal records now. Good for you! And taking the wrapping off the DVD counts as exercise. Those little buggers are sometimes very hard to unwrap!
Hugz, just keep on stretching. What a difference that makes when coming back from injury.
Becky...I could get used to your kind of travel. My travel is mostly for work. B.O.R.I.N.G. and no B.E.A.C.H.E.S!
Nitocris, I suspect the secret to living in a cold climate is to keep moving!
Carol
0 -
Now that I have scaled back on the exercise, I have taken up a new dangerous activity. I just ate a bag of salty chips ....oops. How could I be so stupid and not to put the big bag down. Dumb or what! I bet I will pay for it in more than one way. Will check out the back of my pit in the morn and see if I swelled from it.
I really regret doing this stupid activity. I better go stretch again and deep breaths.Carol. Some times we get so caught up with the exercise routine that we forget running after kids, tidying up, etc IS EXERCISE. You did GOOOOOOD! Man your a go getter!
Tina, I loved your last post here. You are right on with everything you said. I am sure other LE'rs can relate too.
Also I am also overjoyed that you could see pec muscles moving. That Dr Massey sounds top of the world. I don't think we have any out my way like this.
0 -
Hugz! Chips happen! You will be okay. They happen to me too sometimes. I have to measure out what I am going to eat, then seal the bag, out it back in the cupboard and waaalllllkkkkk away! My favorite is salted sunflower seeds in the shell. Lymphedema has killed that for me and that was one of my favorite snack foods since I was a kid. Stupid lymphedema. Just remember to drink lots of water to flush that all through.
0 -
I feel like I am doing the minimum, but it's not so bad. MLD, node stim during day, lots of water, over 11,000 steps today just from doing errands. A friend came down from Tampa and we went out to dinner. I had a cocktail, appetizer, flank steak salad, and ginger flan for dessert. On the way home I could already feel the back of my armpit buzzy and burny. Crappity crap. Can't one have a nice fancy pants dinner without being reminded of LE? I'm surprised it didn't come on sooner, actually. If I eat something salty, I feel it within an hour. Things like olives I will feel right away, so I am always guzzling water when I eat out, especially if I have alcohol. That's a double whammy. Oh, and the flank steak had a pretty spicey hot rub that was delicious. Spicey stuff does it, too. I love it, so I find it all very frustrating.
Guess I need to get with the Leslie Sansone program. Carol, is there one you recommend trying first? The four in one DVD Ohio mentioned sounds like a bargain. Leaving for home tomorrow so I will have time to catch up on posts.0 -
Tina - I am the same way with salt...can tell within an hour. Wine is like that too.
0 -
Hugz-Kellog's makes a cracker chip in plain, sour cream and onion, or cheddar that tastes just like potato chips to me but have very low sodium. If I have a salt craving I eat some of those. You can have 27 for 110 calories. It looks like a cereal box and in some stores is with the cereal, others have it in chips. They even have boxes of it in 90 calorie bags.
Carol--Have fun with your family. I know company can stress so take it easy and keep chasing that little one for your exercise! Soon you will have two!! Even taking my Mom on these trips stresses me out because she is so slow now and her ankles were so swollen after last trip and she forgot to take her dieuretics. Yet she won't let me check what she has packed to see if she has everything. But I do cherish each day with her. My 3 yr old great nephew is going with us so I will be running around with a little one too. He loves running at the rest stops we make.
Hope to get off to FL tomorrow but may have to wait a day due to storm. I am repacking and will do a mix of treadmill and elliptical. Sasone will probably be my partner at the beach.
0 -
Tina, I have several Sansone DVDs, and one I like a lot is 5-mile fat burning walk-- you can do each mile separately as a stand-alone, or do multiple miles, as you like and have time for.
Watch out for her DVDs that include stretchy bands. One is 'Walk Away the Pounds Ultimate Collection' I has a 1-mile, a 2-mile, a 3-mile and a 4-mile walk. So you can start out with shorter distances, see how your LE tolerates, and then move upward. But-the stretch band is a big part of some of the walks included, and that means trouble for us LE -ers, because it's not possible to know how much resistance they give, nor to increase the resistance in small, gradual increments. I sometimes do her DVDs that use the bands, only without the bands, so of course it's possible to work around them. But I find that without using the bands, the footwork is not active enough to keep the heart rate up, so for best cardio results, either use a non-stretch band workout, or just know you will have to modify the moves to do more with your legs as she is working with the resistance bands.
Carol
0 -
I use the 5 mile fat burning DVD also. You do work up a sweat but can do it in one mile increments if you do not have time.
0 -
All aboard the Jogging Express from Tampa to Phila!!! Woooowooooooooo!!! Pedometer getting on train registered 5411 steps. We'll see what I can do between now and midnight, however bed will be turned down at 10:30. That makes it impossible to jog, but perhaps there's room for walking in place??? LOL
Thanks, guys, for the Sansone DVD suggestions. Will have a look. I definitely need something I can do when it is too hot or rainy.
Dawne, for me it's fermented liquids such as, wine, beer, vinegar, soy sauce (which is a salt landmine). I cheat with the soy because I love sushi, and occasionally I will have vinegar on salad. Beer and wine I gave up, so now I just hit the hard stuff occasionally!0 -
Bed was turned down at 10:30, and my pedometer reads 12,084 steps!! Let's see, that's 6,673 steps since my last post!!!! Busy hydrating and doing some deep breathing, MLD in a while. If I cool down enough, I'll wear my night vest.
Whew!
Edited to add: Decided not to walk with the bed down. I think it would have been easy to mash my face into the side of the top bunk. LOL! There was one point when I was jogging and the train did a serious weave when I was airborne, and I almost landed against the window. Oops!0 -
Tina, that is amazing! And you got some balance work in, to boot!
I managed 9,996 steps today and 23 flights of stairs...all of that running around doing preparations for company. Some are already here, most start arriving tomorrow. Did some brief swimming, too, mostly just treading water and playing with my granddaughter, a real water baby.
I declare that making beds is a cardio vascular exercise.
Carol
0 -
Hi,
Had an interesting experience with sports today. Did not have time to exercise this morning; went straight to Helsinki to start a 4-day volunteer work at the European Athletics Championships. Spent the day around these cute and soooooo hot athletes. Broad shoulders, killer abs, buns of steel, thighs to die for... okay, okay, okay.... Depressing?.. Oh NO .... Watch out Leslie Sansone, here I come!
0 -
Running errands is a great way to add steps. Enjoy your company, especially after scrubbing all that spider poo! :-)
0 -
Nitocris, how inspiring! Sounds like fun. Do you get to watch any of the games?
0 -
Hi Tina, during day time, I am "working", but will definitely watch some of the competitions this week-end.
0 -
Is it mainly track and field events? Those are awesome.
0 -
Yes. Race walking and marathon are not part of the Championships because it is Olympic year. Weather is OK so far, temperatures between 16-20 degrees celcius. Good conditions for the athletes. Some really "good adrenaline" moments ahead!
0 -
Nitocris, you are amazing. On so many levels. Enjoy and report back.
Kira
0 -
Nitocris, what fun! I agree-please do report back!
I got just under 10,000 steps in again, not sure how, except being in constant motion with people big and small. Kids are fun and a lot of work. The best kind.
Carol
0 -
Becky, thanks for the suggestion on kellogs crackers. 27 for 110 calories can really keep me happy and my mouth chawing.
Went for a super slow beach walk for 40 min. I was OK but still am having hip problems. Went to chiro and he suggested a xray. I think I will do that. Of course I won't get in for a while, First have to make doc appointment for him to script me.
I found my old yamuna body rolling ball and have been releasing muscles in my lower back and upper legs. This gives me temporary relief. I think I will keep that up.
Outlaws..... inlaws.... or however you view them, they are arriving tomorrow one day early. Good thing I am on vacation and am almost done the housework. Now for the cooking. Did I mention... I declared that I quit cooking the minute my girl graduated.
I have practically forgot how to cook!
I would really have to think hard how to cook a turkey and making gravy would be a real headscratcher! If... I only would have realized... that I would be cooking for the relatives and now the extended family of theirs I certainly would have kept up my skills. Good thing they like to help! My plan of attack is: I'll throw out a few dinner ideas and then I'll let them suggest what we should cook and we will go from there! LOLOutlaws
0 -
Got sidetracked the last few days - Dad is in the hospital but should be coming home today. He is high risk for fall so we girls stay with him 24/7 when admitted. It's just easier then having dad aggravated or fall and break a bone. But it is tiring - just when I think my energy is almost back to normal this comes along and whoops me.
Also waiting on thyroid results - that radiation played a game on my thyroid. Had to change my meds post rad tx and I think it's unstable again. It's hot outside and I'm wrapped in blankets and hoodies, I'm weepy, could be contributing to tiredness. What a mess.
I still averaged 4800 steps daily - I made dad walk the halls and I used the restrooms at the far end of the hall. Got my water in - MLD each night. Stayed with mom at night so no Flexi or wrapping but the arm seems happy so all is well.
Wondering - - should I name my arm? Since this appendage has taken on a life of it's own it seems like it should have a name instead of 'my arm'. I mean, I have a name for my car and my GPS, why not my arm?
0
