Kicking LEs butt!! Exercise & Self Care Log
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I MUST get that 'silly' Lebed tape out. Maybe if I wrap a scarf around my neck I'll be more inclined to use it again.
I wish I could 'photoshop' that man out. :P0 -
I agree with dawnhope. I didnt start walking for several months after my lx then i gradually added a little at a time.
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The tortoise has been my totem; the expression "slow and steady wins the race" my mantra throughout my time with chronic pain, recon failure, and learning to live with LE. This idea of small increments, of inches, seems to have resonated with me, and I use it to stay in the present and motivated. It helps ward off feeling sorry for myself and languishing, or from getting too far ahead of myself, thinking about where I want to be in the future. Being a member of these forums has shown me the power of staying in the present and dealing with the issues I have today. I started this thread because over time, some of us are up and others are down, that is the way of life with LE. However, it keeps me on track with exercise and self care when I know I am surrounded by others who are committed to using these tools to live a better life. It allows me to see the big picture. Sometimes I am down with a flare or struggle with motivation. At others, my LE is stable and I am able to increase my aerobic conditioning. By staying present as part of the group whether I'm up or down, I am able to support others when they are down and celebrate the accomplishments of others when they are up. In return, I receive the support of all of you . . You urge me to keep going when it's tough, and cheer me on as I move forward. I love this group. No competition or judgment, just kindness and a place to be in the present.
The tortoise isn't my only motivation. Here are a couple others that keep me going, staying in the present and from not doing too much when my body needs rest, or from beating myself up when I slack. They're for you, Gma, Kira, and anyone needing support. Perhaps later I will post a favorite poem. Guess I am feeling particularly gooey today! :-)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myyWXKeBsNk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2m0LewjkO4s 0 -
Aw, Tina, the Garden Song--so lovely!
Thanks!
Binney0 -
Thanks, Tina!
Dawn0 -
Tina, your consistent presence here is very motivating to me. The links are a bonus!
Today was a travel day for me. Tomorrow I teach a seminar all day, followed by dinner with friends, so I have no illusions about tomorrow being a good exercise day. So today I jogged 2 miles very early, and then got my usual airport walking in, for a total of 7.6 miles, including a nice long walk to dinner this evening. I will not worry so much about exercise tomorrow!0 -
Tina - I haven't seen that movie where the 'inch by inch' speech was given. I got teary listening to both that and the song. Thank you!
Quick check in:
On Monday after the race I was walking like an elderly woman. When I got home that night, I went to the gym where I did 10 minutes of easy cardio on both the elliptical and then the bike. I felt much better when I got home and I felt good enough on Tuesday that I met with my trainer. He was easy on me ... but it was good to work out the soreness.
The only lingering effects of the run is that my right knee is a little cranky. I worked out again with my trainer today and it feels good right now.
I've found stretching is a key for me with my knees (as it is too with the LE). So, while I miss my yoga class, I'm learning good stretching exercises that are good for my knees ... so now with the crazy Lebed lymphatic opening ... I have about 15 more minutes of stretching for my bottom half.
It really does help with the soreness and the knee crankiness. Oh, I almost forgot ... I was a cross country runner in high school and college. One of my very favorite things to do when I could run was to run through a forest. I love everything about it ... the quietness, the smell, the sounds ... I had a dream last night that I did just that.
I haven't had that dream in over 20 years. It's made me whole day. 0 -
Girls I am still here. I have be walking about 3 times a week for a total of about 30-45 min. I don't want to say this incase I jinx myself but I think my back/hip is settling down a bit!
Although I believe it will never be the same.Welcome to any newcomers and just keep moving!
I scanned thru the some of the posts and see that all you are doing amazing. Been busy and haven't kept up with the thread and now I feel I have lost contact with my exercise buddies. I hope you are all managing OK with this stinkin LE.
Becky I think you did a run didn't you? You show them girl!
Tina, I know someone that lost 40lb just dancing in their livingroom every night. I would say if you can jog on a train you must be the person voted that can exercise anywhere including a women's bathroom stall!
Dawne, Haven't read what's up with you but it sounds like a bit of trouble. If it is... I just want you to put your nose in the air and push forward. That said I will have to see what is going on unless you fill me in. A kiss for you if you feel lousy!
Carol, Do you have energizer batteries attached inside your runners? Let me in on your exercise secret of success!
Binney if you are reading. Thanks for your PM and I will respond. Sorry for the delay.
Everyone else I missed....JUST SHAKE A LEG.. OR DEEP BREATHE...OR PUMP YOU FISTS. ANYTHING TO SAY YOU HAVE MADE A SMALLL IMPROVEMENT TO YOUR LIFE TODAY. COME ON...LET'S GO!
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Dawne. You must have been posting as I was composing. Was it you or Becky that ran a race? Yes I found out that stretching is benefical. Must do! I have been lax with lebed and now that summer is over and not such a distraction I will have to break open my DVD cupboard!
I am glad you remembered your early running days. Feels good to remember like that!
Gotta run out of the office. Will try to check in late tonight.
Are you OK Dawne? You can PM if you wish.
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Good news - my cholesterol was down from last time - no statins.. Doc said keep on exercising and eating right LOL what the PCP doesn't know is that I've watched what I eat and you ladies know - no exercise for me yet....
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You aware all encouraging me. I love the positive reinforcement. GMA, it is a great thing to get your cholesterol down!
Dawne, I wish I were a runner. I have been working on the elyptical for about six months, and really see the improvements I have made. I was a little slower today because I did an hour, but did 5.5 miles. I keep trying to do the tread mill, but I am not making any headway. The best I have been able to do is a mile in 12 minutes, but then I can't do anymore. I am not sure why the endurance i've built up on the elyptical hasn't translated into the tread mill?
Keep it up everyone!0 -
LoveToCook - I learned to run outside. And so I HATE running on a treadmill. Hate it. I had to this summer in the gym because it's the hottest we've had since the Dust Bowl in the 20's. So I know what you're talking about. It sounds like you're doing great ... 3 miles in 30 minutes is 10 minute miles and if you did 5.5 miles in an hour ... your speed had to be 5.5 mph ... that's fast! I wouldn't be discouraged about not training much on a treadmill ... if you're doing the ellipitical ... you're good. Save your knees for the road!
Also ... try interval training ... hard core for about 30-45 seconds, crank it down, then go up in intensity again ... do that for about 10 minutes ... it's the best cardio training I've ever done and it's really saved my knees and cranked up my metabolism.hugz4u - I'll PM you later. But I'm good. Just stressful things with family. Moving mom's stuff over to my place. *Sigh* But I'm doing ok.
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Hugz, it is good to hear from you!
Today was a moderate exercise day; not much opportunity. I got just under 7000 steps in and feel great about that. Of course, then I canceled it out with a lovely dinner out with friends! And do not regret that one bit.0 -
15350 steps. Gotta walk. We've entered the birthday zone. Lunch at Olive garden for a friends birthday. Dinner tomorrow at Red Lobster for yet another friends birthday. Oink.
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Cindyl - Yum!
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15350 steps Cindy. That would be about 1 and 1/2 hour walk or so. That is really great.
Carol. I love how you don't beat yourself up with guilt for having the lovely dinner out and I love how you just dig your heels and and walk it off at the airport! So there is something good about a airport huh! Honestly, If you didn't walk and you just waited for your plane, I bet you would go nuts! So you smarty pants you are killing two birds with one stone. Or should I say killing LE with 2 legs!
Our weather here is a bizarre comfy 75 degrees and it is so enjoyable to get out. We never ever get this warm at this time of the year. Last time was Expo1986.The leaves are turning gold now and walking is so beautiful. I love to take a deep breath an smell the leaves or rub pine needles between my fingers and smell. LOVE IT! Bonus, my truncal LE seems to behave with a gentle walk to!
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Hi--No it is not Becky that did a run. It was Dawne. I do jog when on treadmill or outside but not consistent running.
Yesterday was a good day. Went to dam with temps in mid 50s and did six miles--two of them jogging off and on. Then home and completed strength training. It took an hour and a half to complete with the warm up, core exerecises, weights, and cool down. Lost two lbs on scale today!
Have two meetings so will not be able to get much done today. Hope to do elliptical this evening.
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I feel like I should just post "ditto" because my walking and self care have been pretty consistent lately. I am visiting friends this weekend and will have to make an effort to stay on track again, but I do have access to that treadmill. Sorry for my limited checking in, but I will check in more regularly soon. Sept is a busy month for me. I am behind on reading so many threads. Have a beautiful day, ladies!!
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I am resting after an ER visit last night - I sprung a leak in my 6 week old scar.... they did nothing except tell me to "let it leak".. Well there definitely was swelling in the breast LOL - no doubt about the LE at this point... Wish I was laughing but it scared the heck out of me when it happened...
Tried to go to work at the fabric store - they got someone to cover for me and sent me home...
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GmaFoley - Good! At home and resting is where you need to be and what you need to be doing. You're body is screaming, "Take it easy and REST."
Listen to it, dear one.0 -
GMA, do we need to rassle up a gang to tie you down for a rest? REST lady! you will get better faster if rested~~
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No
I will rest until its time to see the surgeon this afternoon.I don't think I will ever play dominos again... I call what has happened to me this last year and a half a domino effect...
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Tina started this thread to be an LE self-care motivator, to include exercise, MLD, wearing our compression, staying hydrated....etc. Lots of us find it to be really helpful to stay excited about exercise by reporting what we manage to do, and we should all be proud of doing our best. So we tend to stress exercise in here, but ditto for those calling for gma to rest! Because LE care includes taking care of yourself in every way.
I am traveling home today and am enduring sigh...more delays. No one should travel with me...I am a jinx! But I do already have 4.3 miles in today, just in airports. Sitting on a tarmac now, waiting for a maintenance issue to be fixed. Too bad the seatbelt sign is on or I would walk the aisle!0 -
carol57 - I've said this before but the most stressful times I've had prior to BC and LE were airport related. You handle it superbly. You are my hero when it comes to flying. If and when I ever get the courage to fly again, I'm going to put you on speed dial.
Hopefully you'll get off the Tarmac soon. 
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I spent the afternoon in my favorite forest. I hiked, walked and ran the last mile. I had forgotten what it felt like to run x-country but it all came flooding back when I wanted to vomit at the end. Lol. But, ohhhhhhh how good it felt to do something like that again. It was awesome. My knees feel good. We'll see how they feel tomorrow but right now I feel exhilarated!
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Oh, Dawne-Hope, we should talk! Air travel is just not what it used to be. I am in my 23rd year of teaching seminars, and what I would not give for the good old days when air travel was ummm...more civilized! Delays are the rule instead of the exception now, and I do find that it's easier to cope when I can use a delay to get my day's activity in, so multi-task in a sense. And for sure, physical activity helps manage stress. Walking nonstop for an hour or so keeps me from sitting and eating nonstop. That was the old me! When the delays happen while already captive in an airplane, I don't handle it as well. Today I had two delays; one before boarding and another when the plane had to return to a departure gate. I was not a happy camper during the second delay. But I arrived home eventually and DH had made a wonderful, wonderful dinner, which is not really his preferred activity, so I appreciated it all the more. All's well that ends well. Step count for the day is a bit more than 12,000 so I feel like I accomplished something today.
By the way, this week two people asked me about the sleeve, very politely--both were young women who said they knew what it was because their mothers wear them when flying, too.
We live in the woods on a lake, and there are many, many forests and recreation areas quite nearby. I love walking in the woods, too. Dawne, your post makes me think I should make a special effort to do that this weekend. That would help immunize me from more frustrating walks I know I'll be taking when I leave again for more air travel on Monday.
By the way, congratulations on the cross-country running. What a great youth-recapture strategy!
Carol
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Carol57 - I had a dream a couple of nights ago about running in the woods and today I just couldn't resist.
It's gorgeous here. And after being locked up in a house all summer because of the stifling heat...it just feels good to get outside. I'm wiped out tonight but it's the good kind of wiped out...exhausted because you've worked hard and breathed good air...I love the smell of trees. Everything died because of the heat this summer. The recent rains from the hurricane have brought things back to life. Fall is my favorite time of year. I should sleep well tonight.
Do you have bags when you travel? I always had carry-ons and I couldn't do the walking you do with carry on luggage. I always had a back pack too but now I won't be able to carry one. Do you pack one big bag and check it? My big question for you is...what do you do with your stuff? Even the trips I've taken since LE, not flying, where I seem to get in trouble is in the carrying of luggage. I break it down in small pieces but it still adds up. How do you do it?
Do you wear compression shirts or just a sleeve and glove?
It's the 75th anniversary of the publication of J.R.R.Tolkien's, "The Hobbit." He is one of my favs. Running in the woods today I thought of Ents and Rivendell and Tom Bombadill. I'm going to read some Tolkien and go to bed early. xo0 -
Sheesh, lost my post and got to retype it.
Dawne and Carol. I was going to say it is nice to meet some tree huggers! I went for my first woods walk in a long time at lunch and picked up a maple leaf that was turning color. It was so beautiful. I put it in my pocket to show my workmates but forgot about it until I read your posts about forest. I just pulled it out of my hoody pocket now and it is smelling up the computer room. Just delightful. I almost like trees better than flowers if you can believe that.
Dawne, Good thing you are running fast because Nordy is right behind you. LOOK OUT! Here she comes!
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Gosh, I hope I can work some outdoor walking into the weekend! Looks like rain in the forecast, so maybe..maybe not! Plus, this morning I'll head off to watch my trainer compete in a run, which is a fundraiser for the Special Olympics. One of his kids has Down Syndrome. The little guy is too young to participate yet, but that day will come. For now, his parents are already working on ways to make sure he stays active as he grows. They figure it's a good time to get involved with Special Olympics, and lots of us in town agree, so we'll be cheering, and the fundraising has been pretty successful. (I'll stand in the rain to egg my beloved trainer on, but I probably won't go out walking or jogging in it myself--am I too wimpy?)
Dawne-Hope, my approach with the baggage is to minimize it and to roll it. When I travel for my business, generally I need just one or two days of professional attire, and for that I subscribe to the Barbie Doll Mix 'n Match Method, or BDM3. So, one pair of pants and two tops and a scarf. For three days or more, I throw in a super lightweight jacket but stick with just one pair of pants and two tops. I pack one pair of shoes, a pair of very comfortable and supportive flats (but cute as heck), to wear in my classroom. I also pack a night shirt plus a pair of workout shorts and a workout t-shirt, both in a wicking material so I can wear them more than once while walking, using a hotel treadmill, or doing Leslie Sansone in my room. I bring a small pouch with jewelry and I have my toiletries down to about ten items--tiny bottle of Hibiclens, toothpaste, lotion, some makeup, mirror, brush, toothbrush, floss, neosporin, bandaids, just-in-case Keflex. So I rely on the hotel for shampoo/conditioner. When I approach five nights away, I take a bit more with me, but these few items are usually all I need for short trips. Oh, and I have a little pouch with a spoon and several packets of instant, high-fiber oatmeal, and a little plastic container with cocoa powder. I use the hotel coffee maker to heat water for breakfast oatmeal, into which I also stir a big spoonful of the cocoa powder, because a morning started with chocolate is a morning well started! That way I am not tempted to eat the donuts and bagels my clients usually put in their training rooms.
On travel days, I am in a pair of very comfortable casual pants, such as lightweight jeans, with a shell or a t-shirt that's made of wicking material. I wear a very lightweight sweater or pretty hoodie over that. I wear good walking shoes (use a Propet shoe that is extremely light weight does not look entirely like a clunky athletic shoe). I am very fortunate that it takes a lot, lot of elevated-heart-rate work to make me sweat heavily, so I am able to do my crazy airport walking at a high speed without getting soaked (well, as fast as you can go when pulling a rolling case and dodging and weaving around casual walkers on the concourses). When walking, I take off the sweater or jacket, and I usually find I need that item once in the airplane, which is often quite cool.
I often check a bag with my clothing and toiletries, and that can add to travel annoyance, because of the wait for the bag on landing, and of course, once in a while it does not arrive when I do. (And I make sure that the light jeans/sweater/hoodie I am traveling in is decent looking enough that with appropriate explanations, I would not be mortified if I had to wear them for work the next day. But that has never happened...always got my case in time.) My checking suitcase is very small, so I can also opt to carry on if I like. It is made by Antler, weight less than 5 pounds empty, 22" tall. But I usually like to carry with me a very small wheeled brief case that will fit under any airplace seat, and I have my laptop, Kindle, and my teaching materials there, also stick my purse in there when I'm walking. That bag is lightweight and good quality, so it rolls without a hitch. When I'm doing my airport walking, I pull it with my non-affected arm, but it's so lightweight I think I would be fine pulling it with my LE arm, too. I put a nylon bag (the kind we buy to avoid using plastic grocery bags) and when I take off my sweater/jacket to walk, it goes into the nylon bag, which I hook over the rolling case. I also travel with a filter bottle that I refill constantly (can't stomach paying for bottled water, but cannot abide the taste of chlorine in water). This is attached by carabiner to the rolling case.
Too much detail? Sorry--but the point is, I've decided that it is worth the wait for bags to be able to off-load my clothing, etc. and lighten what I have on me while en route. I am no longer sensitive to what I perceive others may think of my functional, but perhaps not highly fashionable professional attire. And if I wear the same top twice in a week--I wash it out if necessary, using a dab of shampoo in sink water--well, so be it.
I guess I forgot to include sleeves...I'm usually in the sleeve only on flight days and when lifting weights; sometimes when doing cardio, such as if I do Leslie Sansone and a lot of arm pumping. So I bring enough sleeves for changing them as needed. That's an easy part of this travel affair for me, but I know that those who are using Jovi or Solaris night garments have a bigger challenge for packing light. I feel so fortunate that I'm at a (seemingly) stable stage 0 with my LE.
Those are all my air travel secrets. Nothing exceptional-just keep it light and roll-able.
Carol
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Yeah Dawne, I roomed with Carol at NLN and was amazed at how much she had for six days in two little bags. It was like Mary Poppins!! And she always looked great.
I have to check stuff in due to jovipak, solaris breast spot, camis, etc. but do have a roll case for taking on flight. So if I walk around airport it rolls with me.
The students at the college where I teach took the day today to go into the community to help various places with work such as gardening, storing, painting, etc. We call it Operation Inasmuch. We brought our Best Buddies (mentally challenged adults from community) on our team and worked our tails off today. No more for me. A cool day tomorrow so I will walk/run at dam and do weights in the afternoon.
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