Working It Out

I'm still on my roll this week with Fitness and how it fits in to my new life with whatever this is I deal with everyday. I hesitate to give it a title. Maybe one day I will just wake up and it will be gone. I can hope! I did some stretching yesterday, even though I felt yucky and dizzyingly fatigued. It was always part of my exercise routine, and something that always calmed me. I could not believe all the popping and snapping I heard in my back! Yikes.

So today, I looked up a few exercise ideas for us snails, and here is what I found. Enjoy, and make some plans to try them out and tell me what you think.

1. Stretching: It's a no-brainer. We learned it in elementary gym class, but the truth is, our bodies have aged since then and don't move the same way anymore! Start out with some gentle stretches that feel good to you. I hesitate to recommend them here, because everyone's situation and condition is different. Consult with your doc or therapist before you try these out. Most are pretty safe though and can be done without harm. Use your best judgment. Stop if something doesn't feel right.

2. Walking: We all know how it's done, but it's not as easy as it sounds, right? Walking can be rough on the joints, as well as the stamina if you suffer from fatigue as well. I love to use my Leslie Sansone, "Walk Away the Pounds" Home Walking DVD sets. She has basic 1 mile walks all the way up to vigorous 5 mile walks with weights. You don't have to leave home and you can stop if you need to stop. If you're able to walk, it's so good for stress relief. If fatigue is a problem, sometimes walking helps,it just depends on the day. You know what I mean. I sometimes need a walking stick just to go to the end of my long driveway. I'm 44. Oh well. Call me an old lady if you will. It's a compliment!

3. Aquacise: Some local community centers with pools offer great programs for water aerobics and because they are low impact and take all the weight off your joints, it is a good option for some. There are lots of videos on YouTube to check out what this is like if you're a little hesitant to try it out. I'm not much of a water bug and I don't care for being in a public pool, but I do enjoy my own pool and exercising in the privacy of my own home. It's very relaxing and a good workout too. I'm not sure on the cost. I'm sure it varies everywhere. Last time I checked our pool was a cool 71 degrees F. I'm a big baby. A big cold baby.

4. Yoga: This is basically a mind-body practice that engages stretching, breathing, and relaxation all at once. Sometimes using basic positions, and then gradually progressing into poses. There are many different types and levels. There are a lot of benefits to yoga, such as improved flexibility, improved posture, core strength, improvement of anxiety, depression, insomnia, some types of pain, and other conditions. Most people can do it. Some people find it difficult to hold poses as it can put pressure on wrists, ankles, and knees. It is recommended to talk to a physician before you try yoga, as some conditions can be worsened by attempting certain positions. I got my information from mayoclinic.org, a source I often consult. And no, I will not be saying "Namaste." It's just not me. I would probably say something like, "Na-Nu, Na-Nu", Mork style.

5. Pilates: A system of core-strengthening exercises developed by Joseph Pilates in the 20's, for the purpose of rehabilitating soldiers returning from war. It focuses on strength, flexibility, and body awareness. It is resistance-training, non-aerobic, although having tried this, you will sweat! It can be done on a mat, but there are other forms that are done on machinery with instructors. A few years ago Pilates was all the rage and all the celebrities were sporting their super fit bodies and advertising Winsor Pilates as the secret fix. I would suggest a beginning program, obviously. Having done physical therapy many times for many different things, I strongly believe that a strong core is the key to keeping your body healthy.

6. Hand weights: I have weights from 1lb. all the weigh (see what i did there?) up to 10lbs, They've been collecting dust next to my "Biggest Loser" DVDs for awhile, but I really do enjoy weights. For one thing, you can do many reps while doing most anything. As long as you keep good form in your body and focus on the muscle you are working on, you will see benefits in as little as 2 weeks. Feeling strong anywhere in your body is such a good mind builder too! Again, check out YouTube for easy workouts for hand weights. Do it while you watch your favorite shows or read your favorite blogs!

7. Natalie's Choice: Natalie had spinal surgery last June, and  is just now rebuilding strength again. She's finding it difficult to maintain exercise for many of the same reasons I do. She tires easily, for one. For another, her spine is still out of alignment, so some of the typical core strengthening exercises are painful for her to do. We don't do floor push ups (they make me dizzy and hurt her back), so we either do them on the wall or on the kitchen counter. We do wall sits (for the thighs), and stair steps (stepping up and down our own staircase). She enjoys shooting baskets (cardio), but can't run for very long (hurts misaligned hips). She likes working with resistance bands for her weak shoulders (which subluxate frequently), and enjoys swimming and walking. Even she, at 16, has had to learn to adapt her active lifestyle to make it work for her new lifestyle as a post-spinal fusion patient.

If we can agree on one thing, it's that we didn't ask for the big old blocks that were put in our lives. We didn't do anything to deserve them. Natalie sure didn't do anything to deserve a curvy spine and subsequent surgery in the prime of her teenage life. We were, however, given this opportunity to bring God glory through the trial that we have in front of us. We're going to have rough days, for sure. Days we want to throw in the towel. Days we argue with God or doctors, or feel we've been betrayed or cheated somehow. Days we wrestle with the flesh. But we will all come around. We always do. Because somewhere deep in our spirits we know we have the strength to handle these challenges head on, with grace, with dignity, and with love in our hearts to help someone else going through it too. Because that's where the glory will come to God. When we connect through our trials instead of withdraw because of them, we can bring glory to Him. I am working on this. I'm a bit of a turtle.

Some of my dearest, newest friends have been made because of my illness. Because it was at this time I found out who was willing to pray for me and who was willing to trust me with their own pain and allow me to pray for them. There is beauty in ashes. I refuse to let myself believe any less, no matter how bad I may feel today or any other day.