Random Acts of "Kindness"

Posts tagged ‘Exercise’

REWIND

I can’t count the number of times that I have started over . Weight up — new diet. Some with success for a short time but the weight came back — again and again. The problem is that for the most part I eat a healthy diet. Because of sodium restrictions I don’t eat a lot of processed foods. I don’t drink pop — regular or diet. I don’t eat a lot of bread or cookies or candy. In other words I don’t have a lot of food to give up in order to quickly lose weight. I learned that limiting meat doesn’t work for my body so vegetarian isn’t an option. I’ve been reading that some people have been successful by increasing their vegetable intake and decreasing the amount of protein. Still open to new ideas but treading cautiously. I prefer chicken thighs to chicken breasts. A recent article mentioned that chicken drumsticks and thighs were packed with vitamin K-2, a tough to find nutrient that blocks plaque buildup inside arteries.

I acquired an Instant Pot in the Fall. My plans to use it more often hasn’t worked out as I had planned. I have enough cookbooks. I just haven’t taken the time to develop enough recipes. I also have an older pressure cooker. I have used it for years when I’m cooking dried beans. Recently I used it to make turkey bone broth. A recipe in a new instant pot cookbook suggested it cook for an hour and a half. One and one made two. I realized I could use my older pressure cooker for the purpose. I was comfortable using it, and an hour and a half on the stove — adding heat to the house, seemed worthwhile. The result was fantastic. I’ve also learned that chicken feet are available for purchase at Wal-Mart, an ingredient mentioned for bone broth.

Because of the weather — January, February — I have limited my walking outside. We have a treadmill but I don’t like to use it. When we had our daughter’s dogs as guests, I stopped exercising. All three wanted to help me and I must admit, their help wasn’t needed. When the dogs left, I continued to be lazy. Any benefit I had gotten from exercise was soon lost. My neck became more stiff, hurt to turn when driving. Although I had continued with bone broth, my knees were rebelling. Lack of exercise, weight or weather — it is hard to tell.

I decided that I was going to increase the number of steps I walked each day. I wasn’t going to settle with 2,000. I aimed for 5,000. It is easy to get that number of steps when I’m shopping or walking outside. It is harder to get them when I’m restricted inside. Still stretching– I’m trying to increase the number of steps to 6,000.

Weight is down slightly, not enough to jump up and down and rave about, but my wrist is smaller. I’ve had to tighten the band on my watch. I’m hoping that reduced weight and increased steps will improve not only my weight but my walking ability. `

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THWARTED

This word WAS NOT part of my vocabulary. It wandered into my mind. After checking to confirm that is was a word, I decided it was an excellent title for a thought ramble. Especially after the happenings in my life in January and February. Thwarted: “Block or Hinder. To keep from doing.”

Perhaps I should explain. In January I received an invitation to join Deepak Chopra for a 4 week meditation. I have tried to do his three week meditations in the past and although I still have trouble meditating, I thought I should keep trying. My schedule was clear — I thought I would be able to do it for four weeks. The first day, I connected to the meditation. That was the end of my success. Communication with the HELP desk didn’t help. From experience I knew I was being BLOCKED. WHY? No answer.

At the end of January the reason became apparent. Our 9 year old granddaughter’s migraines and thunder boomers had increased to such an extent that her mother took her to Diamond Clinic at St. Joseph hospital in Chicago. Her brother and their two dogs, one a black lab 4 month old puppy, stayed with us. When her father and brother returned home, I suggested the dogs stay with us. The puppy was excellent, just a puppy, forever hungry and wanting to play. All of Robin’s toys, in various states of togetherness, occupied the whole house. I quickly decided that exercise was NOT an option.

I was surprised at the number of states that the patients at St. Joseph came from. Diamond clinic must be very well known and we are blessed to have it in Chicago. Patients came from as far away as California and Georgia. Tennessee, Ohio and Missouri were also represented. Sadly the treatment didn’t get rid of my granddaughters headaches, although they might be better. I must admit that the house was quiet when the dogs left.

Our life returned to normal, right? WRONG! I’m still trying to catch up on sleep. Our winter weather mix is still continuing. Last Sunday was the first Sunday I attended Mass since Christmas. I don’t wander out when it is icy, nor do I drive. Watching the weather systems and shopping between them describes both January and February.

Shopping has presented its own challenges. I recently returned from Wal-Mart without half of my groceries. One bag was missing. Checking my receipt to get the phone number, I noticed that the items missing were not charged. ?? If there is an explanation, I don’t know what it is.

Sadly, I don’t keep good notes. I don’t write down the number of frustrations that are in each day. I read recently that I should note the co-incidences that occur in my life. I laughed. Co-incidences — DAILY? I don’t write down the number of times my brain doesn’t remember stuff. In other words, I don’t remember all of the times that thwarted fit the day. I’m sure it was a lot!

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STILL SHRINKING

I thought I had the perfect title for a thought ramble, until I looked to see if it was used. YEP! Sadly the date wasn’t listed on the file. Great idea, I just didn’t think of doing it until now. Just for giggles, I read the thought ramble. Everything listed is still true. In fact, I was amazed at the writing. I know for a fact, that I am the one who puts down thoughts in these rambles. So often, I’m pleased with what I have written. I don’t feel the need to take out a red pen and revise. Of course, I will admit that I have unseen editors who influence what prints. If “they” don’t like it, it either disappears or won’t save until it is fixed.

This thought is not what inspired the title. Of course searching for a title is becoming harder and harder. When a thought ramble shares the same title, I might add a number. Shrinking #2. There are many different ways that shrinking is used. As time passes, a loan might shrink. Days pass, a vacation is nearer or the ending of the school year. The number of classes that is required to graduate or get a degree also becomes less. I wouldn’t might if my shrinking referred to my weight. Sadly I keep reading about people who have lost 20, 30 or 100 pounds. Sadly I’m not one of them. I used to try each new diet, hoping for a GREAT result. Even if I stuck to the diet without cheating, if I lost ONE POUND, it was a miracle. I have finally reached the conclusion that it doesn’t matter how much my height decreases, my weight will remain the same. Now if I added diet or regular soda to my eating, or cakes, cookies, candy, and then gave them up I might see a difference. I don’t need to gain extra pounds in order to lose extra weight. For the most part, I eat a healthy diet.

I decided to increase my exercise. I have restarted Jane Fonda Fit and Strong. I was hesitant to do so. I remembered the various exercises that was in the second part and didn’t think I would be able to do it. I had forgotten how many GOOD exercises were in the first part. The first part fits my body better right now. Many of them are seated. I will admit that many times my knees don’t like what I have done. Jane says that the exercises will get easier. I’m waiting impatiently. Thinking back, I’ve tried to remember when my neck lost its flexibility. I don’t remember having trouble turning my neck, Suddenly, I do. Are the exercises helping? I don’t know but in order to drive, I have to be able to turn my neck.

I can’t stop my height from shrinking, but hopefully I will be able to regain my muscles. I want to have strength to open a can, lift a pot. I’ll gladly leave the heavy lifting to those who have muscles, just so I can do the things that are important to me.

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ALARM CLOCK

A week doesn’t go by before someone in our household mentions how unique, Robin, our dog is. We took her for training when she first joined our household. She is too smart. She listens when she wants to. We are the ones who became trained.

We have had many dogs before Robin. I tried counting them a while back — eleven or twelve, not counting Tammy’s puppies that only lived with us until they found new homes. We have had many different breeds — most of them mixed. Parentage undetermined. All of them were special.

We still have our large home. My husband would like to sell our house and move into a smaller place in the country. We still have a bedroom for guests. Or should I say that Robin has her own room. She prefers to sleep by herself. Many of our previous dogs slept with us, on our bed or on the couch on the first floor. If we are in the country she sleeps either on the couch or one of the chairs or under our bed. She likes her bed to have the covers in place, so she can rearrange them to her liking. If the beds are unmade, she remains on the floor. Our son said she is imitating us. We curl up under the covers when it is chilly.

Robin doesn’t wear a watch. But she tells time. She knows when it is time for her supper. Her tummy is probably empty. She knows when it is time for our son to come home from work. Alert, she maintains a post on the radiator, watching the outside sidewalk. She also knows when it is time for our supper. She pesters our son until he comes down stairs to eat.

She is not old. We got her as a rescue when she was a puppy. She is probably five or six years old. But she lives with senior citizens. Our son isn’t a senior but he isn’t a young kid either. She still runs fast, but she doesn’t run as long. Nor does she play as long as when she was young. She loves her new toys but she often pulls out one of her beloved, chewed relics.

She LOVES to go for walks. Check out the neighborhood. Squirrel hunt with our son. She will do her business in the back yard in the wee hours of the morning if necessary, but otherwise, she has to be out walking. She knows the time for her walks. Early in the morning, unless she went out in the wee hours, then she has TO SLEEP IN! She will come down with my husband in the nine or ten o’clock hour. She has to go out around noon, after she has her supper, after we have our supper, around eight or nine o’clock and then before midnight. Most of those times is not to do anything of purpose, just to check on the neighborhood.

By now you must be wondering why I’m writing about her. The main reason is that she made me laugh the other night. She pestered and pestered our son until he came downstairs. She didn’t have to go out. She wanted our son to have his cereal before bed. So she could have his milk.

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IN TRAINING

I have to admit that I really don’t like writing things at the last minute. I’m really tempted to skip a week or two, maybe a month. Experience has taught me that not writing is not in my best interest. I like to have a couple of thought rambles scheduled so I don’t feel pressure to write. Hopefully that will happen soon. Right now I seem to be chasing my tail — not enough time in the day to get things done. Of course it doesn’t help that we spent most of the summer in the country. Lady of leisure — I cooked, I read, I watched sunrises and sunsets. Since I had a sore hamstring — I didn’t push myself to exercise and I’m still paying the price.

I shared with one of my daughters my frustration with the day. I should have gone back to bed and stayed there. NOTHING WORKED! I could NOT access the internet from the table in our dining room. I Could Not access my cell phone. I COULD NOT zipper my coat, actually looking at the coats in my closet, I wasn’t sure which was my new coat and ended up pulling out one which was a few years old. The first morning it zippered, the next day it did not. I went searching for a coat that had a zipper that would work! The coat fit, the zipper worked and I realized it was a coat that I bought a few years ago that fit when I tried it on but was too small the next day. It still is a bit tight, but it FIT and it was very warm! Of course, the zipper on the first coat worked. Now I have located the coat that was extremely comfortable last year. Its zipper works.

My daughter asked why I was having so many problems. I replied that the “blocks were on”. But I didn’t know why. This morning it dawned on me. “There are students in training.” Two of my cousins have recently arrived on the other side. I wouldn’t put it past my father and others to take them under their wing and give them suggestions on how to “help” their family here on earth.

I’m hopeful that having learned some of the ways to “help”, they will use their new found knowledge to “help” their other family members who are still on earth. I have no idea how many members are part of “my team”, but I’m sure it is more than three and some dogs and cats might be members too. I often end up at the right place, at the right time to help either a two footed human or a four footed.

Recently I attended a Chi Gong session at the hospital. I totally enjoyed it and made plans to attend on a more regular basis. UNTIL the next morning when my body parts objected STRONGLY. Hamstring — stretched again — hurt again. I thought I was giving it the exercise it needed . I was wrong!

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STIFF NECK

I don’t know what happened. I used to be able to easily turn my neck from side to side. I don’t know when my neck stiffened. Now it hurts to turn my neck. It is not easy to see to my side, lets not even discuss seeing behind me.

In July, I hurt the hamstring on my right leg — my driving leg. I DID NOT DRIVE for almost a month. It hurt to walk, so for over a month I didn’t do much of anything. At first, I tried to continue with the exercise in water. I soon learned that was not to my benefit. In water, not thinking, I made matters worse. My knees don’t like cold water either.

Trying to loosen my neck muscles, I’m wearing a magnetic necklace. Hopefully it will help. I only wear it during the day, taking it off at night. It is too early to tell if it is working. I’m not seeing any progress with neck exercises either.

Working on various body parts — knees, neck — I’m trying to do Tai Chi daily and 15 minutes of yoga. I’m enjoying a cup of chicken bone broth. It has glycine, an amino acid that helps form collagen, improves sleep quality, and relax blood vessels. I found one that is low in sodium.

My watch had been giving me problems. I use it to track the number of steps I get, and how long I slept. The day before I had charged my watch. On a shopping trip, I left Wal-Mart, looked at my watch and saw a blank screen. I turned around, returned to Wal-Mart and almost bought an apple watch until the clerk told me I had to have an apple phone. I have an old flip phone. I bought a Fitbit Vegas instead. Although I don’t have a smart phone, so far I’m really happy with my new watch. It reminds me to get up and move, and has an app that can be used to relax — 2 minute breathing exercise. More apps are available but I would need a smart phone to use them. My watch thinks I should run but I think my running days are over. It has an app to coach with exercises but I haven’t investigated it yet. At home we have the internet. I might be able to connect to it without a smart phone. At the camper, we do not have internet service. I’ve decided to wait until we close the camper for the year before I investigate more of the apps.

Evidently I’m receiving “help” and nudges to exercise. An Olde English Faire is scheduled in a couple of weeks. Weather permitting, walking stick in hand — I WANT TO GO!

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FLEXIBLE

I lost it. Where did it go? In the beginning of summer, I was able to WALK to Mass. It wasn’t exactly easy, painful knees were a problem but I was able to do it. Now walking a block is exhausting. Knees don’t hurt, but my right hamstring objects. Exercises that were easy are now either challenging or impossible.

I hurt my right hamstring at the beginning of July. The injury caused me to remain butt down and feet up for almost a month. We were in the country so I did minimal walking with Robin in the morning. I tried to continue with water exercise but I soon learned that I was doing more harm to my body than helping it.

I didn’t drive our car for over a month. When I did, I learned that using the automatic control hurt my body. I was able to drive manually, exercising my right leg. I was afraid to ride the scooter, afraid I would do more damage to my legs.

FIGHTING BACK — not at all happy with my limited ability. I started to drink a cup of bone broth every day, hoping it helps my various body parts. I have returned to doing Tai Chi EVERY DAY! I have also added 15 minutes of yoga along with the arm exercises I used to do.

I’m looking for improvement — ANYWHERE. The pain in my knees has diminished. My hamstring continues to be a challenge. Some days it behaves, others — the smallest step will cause pain. One of my daily exercises is for the hamstring.

Many of the exercises that were easy for me are no longer possible. If I get down on the floor, getting back up onto my feet is a challenge. Getting out of a chair or off the couch has also been a challenge. Recently I was able to rise from the couch unaided — improvement!

I’m being reminded that I need to improve my strength and my muscles. I have some DVD’s that are designed to help muscles. So far I haven’t been brave enough to try them.

In the city I have more stairs to climb. I’ll admit that I climb up and down the stairs more slowly. I also use the banisters or other handholds going into the basement. I don’t know if I NEED to use aids or the memory of falls makes me more cautious. In order to remain in our house I HAVE to be ABLE to do the stairs.

Step by step, day by day — I’m working to become more flexible.

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WOBBLE, WOBBLE

I think WOBBLE WOBBLE should be my new nick name. I feel like a turkey. When ever my husband is walking behind me, I hear him saying: “Wobble. Wobble.” He means I’m rocking from side to side in my walk. I am overweight! Not extremely, just maybe 30 to 40 pounds. That doesn’t necessarily account for my walking. Knee Problems — that is the main cause. My husband said that I am walking too stiff legged, like a soldier, not bending my knees. Its not that I’m not trying to lose weight, it just isn’t happening!

Our youngest daughter has decided to try to walk 9000 steps a day and do 30 days of yoga. My middle daughter decided to join her in the quest. Since I hurt my hamstring, walking that many steps is more than I can safely do. Forget 30 days of yoga. One, I don’t have access to the internet at the camper. Two, if I got down onto the floor, it would be hard to get back up. Three, many of the poses that I could do in my younger days are WAY PAST my abilities now!

My older daughter suggested that instead I do 30 days of Tia Chi, and 30 days of A MORNING CUP OF YOGA. Tia Chi is easy on my body and although I have altered the form since I first learned it, it is gentle stretches for my body. My knees don’t like it very much. I bought the yoga book many years ago. It is also gentle stretches, doesn’t get down on the floor and incorporates some hamstring exercises that I need. The first time I did it, I was too enthusiastic and did a leg exercise that my knees REALLY objected to.

I thought exercise in the water would be good for my body. And it is EXCEPT when because I’m in the water I do too much. I have learned that If I use the weights and the noodles, I am putting less pressure on my knees. I have also learned that the water has to be warmer for my knees. In days gone by, cooler water wasn’t a problem for me. Whether those days are gone for good or just temporarily taking a vacation — time will tell.

I will admit that besides walking less, I have been more careful riding on the scooter. I don’t want to take a chance that I will put my foot down wrong and do more damage. Recently I took our car out for a longer drive — more than 25 miles. I had been in the pool in cooler water and my knee was YELLING! If I used the automatic pilot, my knee HURT! If I used pressure on the gas pedal instead, my knee although still hurting wasn’t YELLING!

Our grand daughter is coming to the country for a visit. I will need to drive her back to the city in order to catch a plane. She will be able to drive if my knee is really yelling, but I’LL BE ABLE TO SAFELY DO IT too!

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CLIPPED WINGS

I had plans. They weren’t big plans or expensive plans. We were going to the country for almost a month. I planned to try to lose weight. I planned to exercise in the water almost every day. I planned to increase the number of steps — walk the short nature trail, add the trails I used to walk before my knees became a problem. I planned to do many meals in our crock pot — not only to save money but to control the amount of sodium I was eating.

God must have laughed. MY PLAN — did I consult to make sure my plans were agreeable? NO! I DID NOT! My plans quickly disappeared. Our first week, Robin and I walked the short version of the nature trail. I planned to increase the length the next week. I went to water exercise and maybe worked my legs too much. I made a pot of ham and beans in the slow cooker. My husband invited friends to help us eat it. Too high in sodium for me because of the ham but it was delicious! The temperature forecast was for 90. We went out for breakfast but I only ordered one egg, potatoes and rye toast. NOT WHAT I WANTED — I was watching sodium.

Returning to the car from shopping at the store — I pulled the hamstring at the back of my right knee. I don’t know what I did. I only know it HURT! ALL OF MY PLANS QUICKLY CHANGED. It hurt to sit down. In order to get back up — I had to have support to pull myself up. Thankfully supper was ready — in the crock pot. Even going to the bathroom was interesting. I couldn’t sit down. Thankfully the next day the swelling decreased enough so that I could sit in the bathroom.

I DO NOT MAKE A GOOD INVALID. My grandkids were at the campground — they were going to the pool. Sadly I decided to stay put, keep the leg up. It was hard to ice the leg since the pulled muscle was behind the knee. I finally put a bag of frozen vegetables on the chair and placed my leg on top. SUCCESS!

Having planned meals for the slow cooker — meal preparation was easier. I had the ingredients on hand. Thankfully my husband liked all the new recipes. So did our friends.

After almost two weeks — my leg is better — I have only gone to water exercise once. Doing too much — stressed the muscle. I have finally driven the car — but not the scooter. I have to remember to put my butt in the car, then add the legs. I still CAN NOT get up unaided. Our oldest daughter suggested I do Tia Chi — It is gentle stretching. Is it helping? I don’t know. But not hurting! I have walked the short nature trail — picked ripe blackcaps on the way.

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BEFUDDLED

Is that a real word? I really don’t know and I’m afraid to look it up. The name came to me when I remembered the previous weekend. In preparation for camping, I looked at the forecast of the temperatures for our campground. At home it had been in the 70’s. I wanted to bring summer clothes if the temperature was going to be warmer. The forecast predicted low 80’s.

They were WRONG! Warmest day in years — 97 to be exact, followed by another 97 degree day. Since May had been cool and rainy, in fact the rain broke the all time record — 8″. My body hadn’t had the time to adjust to 70 let alone 90.

We didn’t have air conditioning but bright and early on Sunday morning, our son-in-law came to our camper to help install the window air conditioner that they no longer didn’t needed. They had a room addition built and central air conditioning installed.

I felt the effects of the heat early Sunday morning. I drove my scooter to the gas station to fill it up. I raised the seat, took off the gas cap but couldn’t get the pump to work. Putting everything back, closing the seat I went inside to discuss my problem. Coming back out, I forgot how to open the seat. I kept feeling for a latch. UNSUCCESSFULLY! I had to drive the scooter back to ask my husband how to open the seat. It opened with a key! I FELT FOOLISH.

But I wasn’t done with the day. Later, I drove our grandchildren to look at a group of animals that had come for a visit: blue eyed pony, llama, Peaches: the albino skunk, rabbits, prairie dog and a turtle or two. Leaving there we stopped at an air conditioned building before heading for ice cream. The line was TOO LONG. Our daughter phoned, arranging to pick up her children. I headed for the grocery store to get bread. NONE AVAILABLE. Only hot dog and hamburger buns. When I went back to our car, I didn’t have the keys? Remembering the numbers for the code on our car, I was able to put the groceries in the trunk. Returning to the grocery store, I looked for my car keys. UNSUCCESSFUL.

Returning to our car, I used the numbers to gain entrance — hoping I dropped the keys inside. NOPE! They were in the ignition — the car running. I forgot to turn the car off when I parked. OOPS!

My husband didn’t far better. He was dizzy and wobbly when he was walking. Not dehydrated, he had consumed SEVEN bottles of water. Still a bit dizzy on Monday but capable of driving back home. The air conditioning in our car, although it works, the car tends to overheat if in heavy traffic. all windows open, we took the back roads to avoid the construction. Then connected with the toll way when it was back to four lanes. THANKFULLY — NO TRAFFIC!

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