Working Out

[technovicki]

I would encourage anyone capable of working out to do so...whether its just your upper body or your entire body. I have always been active, sports as a kid and bike riding which I have continued as an adult. Earlier this year I signed up with a gym and started doing strength training. I have a personal trainer which helps out tremendously. I know its can be very expensive but the payoff is awesome. The last 8 months going to the gym twice a week and bike riding in between (when time permits) has made me stronger not just physically but mentally. A trainer is great because its 60-90 minutes of non-stop work and modifies specific exercises for weak areas where I am unable to stand or extend my leg a certain direction. But needless to say I stand up straighter and feel much better even though after some workouts I'm completely drained...in fact the first month I required ice for my arms and chest and I was in decent shape when starting...now I'm kinda an addict and look forward to it.

This has also improved my cycling endurance tremendously which was my main motivation for joining in the first place...building up my upper body in order to compensate for zero calf muscles which prove helpful when climbing a large hill...the more I can pull myself the better. Also having a strong upper body and core helps me when I have a pressure sore on one of my feet and need to pull myself when getting around w/o my AFO's or need extra flexibility when getting in and out of the shower and in many other areas.

Even if you can't afford a gym I would recommend ways to work out at home. A fitness ball can do wonders for you!


:signs120:

[rachiebaby]

do you think there are some exercises that can help strengthen legs so my legs won't get so tired and sore easily especially when i don't have my braces on?

[technovicki]

that i dont know as everyone is different. as for me i have been able to stand longer without my braces but its very rare that i am not wearing them. i have notice new strength in my left leg and can actually move my foot ever so slightly. overall i can walk longer when wearing braces and am just physically stronger. at the gym i do leg presses, squats (really good for my hips too), and leg curls but all done while wearing my braces. my trainer suggested just rocking back and forth from leg to leg will greatly strengthen my hips. im sure a physical therapist could give you some good recommendations in regards to tired and soreness.

[eng188]

It seems we are all in a sink or swim boat, really, so I like this thread's advocacy of working out. I admit, I am very lazy. I am a shell of who I was in the late 80's/early 90's, in my early teens. I used to compete in the old NWAA's track and field program (regional--->national--->int'l [in 1989. Apparently 1990 on was cancelled]). I look at old photos of myself and it's rather depressing. I used to also do road racing to keep fit.

I do need to hit a gym. My weight is slowing me down, and I suspect my circulation is going downhill as well, which puts me at risk for clotting--->stroke--->death.

I am not sure where I lost my compass in life, but I suppose I can find it. I'm an old dog who needs new tricks to learn.

[angel]

I have to agree with this. Working out is very important. If you don't use it you loose it!!! My legs are not strong enough to hold me up for more than 30 seconds under their own power. I walk with crutches and have continued to do so instead of going to a chair full time. It is much harder on me to walk but i don't want to loose the option of walking. Building muscle is very very very slow in my legs but i have maintained my strength and if that is the best i can do i will be happy with that. I think it is important for all of us to keep our bodies in the best possible shape we can. It makes living with SB a lot easier.

Angel

[misty]

I have to agree with this. Working out is very important. If you don't use it you loose it!!! My legs are not strong enough to hold me up for more than 30 seconds under their own power. I walk with crutches and have continued to do so instead of going to a chair full time. It is much harder on me to walk but i don't want to loose the option of walking. Building muscle is very very very slow in my legs but i have maintained my strength and if that is the best i can do i will be happy with that. I think it is important for all of us to keep our bodies in the best possible shape we can. It makes living with SB a lot easier.

Angel

I agree with not wanting to lose the ability to walk. I am kind of heavy and everyone is always telling me to get one of those motorized buggy things that they have at grocery stores, or a wheelchair to use for longer distances. I use leg braces, and yes it is hard for me to walk around the mall and things like that, but I don't want to lose that ability if I don't have to!

[angel]

Misty,

How old are you? The reason i ask is i used to be as gung ho about the never use a scooter thing to until my sholders started to wear out. I love your spirit and i know how you feel because i used to do the same thing walk till i drop no matter how hard it is.
Let me give you just a little advice for the future. You can walk and exercise without killing your sholders. I use the scooter and wheelchair now for long shopping trips. I still keep in shape and i can still walk with just as much ease. I started using the scooter and chair because if i didn't lay off my arms my sholders were going to give out completly and then it would be full time wheelchair use for sure.
Keep your spirit up but be kind to your sholders!!!!! I wish i had learned this lesson before mine got so bad.

Angel

[misty]

I'm 25. Thanks for the advice, but I don't use crutches. Just AFO leg braces. I can see where that could become a huge problem though!

[rachiebaby]

I'm 25. Thanks for the advice, but I don't use crutches. Just AFO leg braces. I can see where that could become a huge problem though!
same here i love walking except that my legs get tired pretty easy sometimes but i would really rather walk than sit in a chair

[technovicki]

ive been told as im sure many others have is not to become overweight. i know, 'duh.' but the more weight you have to carry the harder it is to walk. i too just wear AFO's and it can become tiring in convention centers and airports. i live on the 2nd floor of my apartment complex and have to go up and down the stairs regularly which i like. and as ive said in other posts i am big into cycling...good for the legs, great cardio which in turn burns calories and its FUN!...i can ride 100x farther than i could ever walk.