Kicking LE's butt!! Exercise & Self Care Log

Thanks, Laural. I think that is a good idea. After wearing my swell spot most of the day yesterday, when I took it off, there was a pocket of fluid just above it that the swell spot just can't reach.  **sigh*

glennie, I'm sorry you're struggling with garments. I wish I had suggestions for you. Keep going!

I did water exercise classes twice last week and ran/walked laps in the pool twice, as well as walked the dog.  Hiked 6-7 miles today which was very hard because it was too hot. I was nervous about my bilateral LE, getting overheated like that, but I seem okay. I'll keep plugging away at it, trying to get in shape and do what I can to prevent a recurrence.

Wow, we got quite the activity going on here!  Glennie, sounds like a perfect way to get some steps in!

I've been in the gym as usual (2x per week, except when traveling for work), working on abs in particular lately.  Plus the normal upper and lower strength training workout.  Cardio--still babying my knee, but I'm able to do lots and lots of general-activity walking, which this past weekend meant lots of outdoor work.  I thinned out an overgrown thicket of native dogwoods and did lots of light pruning elsewhere.  Even moved some landscape rocks yesterday (that was hard and I had to do some thinking about how to budge what felt un-budgeable at first!).  Today through Sunday I have a house full of family --picture people sleeping everywhere--and love every minute of the prep work.  I got 6.2 miles of steps in today, just being in constant motion getting things done.  It's not Daytona Beach, but still I'll take it!

at the beach!  Got on a walk last night and again this morning.  Will go again tonight. And did some swimming in the pool with my nephew.  I actually did 4 laps of side stroke in addition to dog paddling around.  

Rain on and off so have to get out there when I can.  

well to be honest,  I'm at Daytona and the sand is so hard here you can drive on it.  So maybe not double.  The ocean breezes are lovely.  

I had state conference the past 2 days. I have found an inexpensive hotel with a Jr. Olympic swimming pool indoors that opens at 5:30 a.m. so was able to get in 45 minutes of swimming laps the last 2 days. I wish I had access to a pool nearby my house as it makes my arm feel great and I don't even have to sweat 

punched myself in the jaw while donning my sleeves to head to the gym. Hadn't done that in a while. It hurt. Lol.

At least I'm going to the gym, right? 

it's always one step forward and 2 steps back for me. Excellent hike on Sunday but got blisters. Waiting for those to heal and my little dog became very sick so I've been caring for him. I won't give up, it's just life, but it does get frustrating!

ANNOUNCEMENT!  went back to the gym for the first time since MX. (last August) 

So I'm woefully out of shape. I've been walkiing, but after doing stairs at beach hotel, I realize I need more.

So I tried the elliptical machine, the recumbent bike and the Arc trainer.

elliptical is the only one that use arms at all. It is also the hardest of the 3. So I did 2 mins.  Don't want to overdo. You all think elliptical is a good cardio for LE, since it gets the arms moving too?

Bike is easy,, Arch trainer was the middle of the 3,, It's like climbing stairs, but no arm movement involved.

No weights at gym. Only doing the prescribed band exercises, etc from the PT.

glennie, good for you! You are making steady progress from when you started. My rad. onc. thought the elliptical would be good for my LE, with the arms. I was doing it but now I really prefer the pool. I can work hard or not in there, I don't get overheated (just warm)  like I do with most other things and the water pressure is good for LE.  I tried hiking 4-6 miles last Sunday and yesterday but I got way too hot, even in the AM. I would like to be able to hike but I sure don't want to swell from it.

glennie, or anyone here, is there a YMCA near you? I was able to attend for free for three months because I enrolled in the Livestrong program they offered. We met twice a week and got to try classes, equipment and get to know each other. I now have friends I meet there regularly, which makes it more fun to go.

yeah theres not a livestrong program in any of the y's near me, either! in los angeles! is it something they advertise, or do you have to ask? i am doing PT through my LE office, because i have seriously lost strength in that arm,  and now range of motion, because of new onset of pain, sharp and long pain, i don't think its really helping.

thanks!

I just checked at Live Strong,, there still is not one near me and I couldn't find anything directing me to another site that might have it.  If you think of anything else,, please let us know!!

Your local Y should have a website where you can find out the programs they offer, like Livestrong. I think it's listed under "Healthy Living" or something like that. There is a Livestrong curriculum but, like everything else, it is only as good as the one leading it. I was very lucky to have a nurse/physical trainer leading mine at the Y. She is even friends with Sherry Lebed and was very receptive to all the LE info I gave her from SU-SO or is it SO-SU? I was very, very lucky.