Help me come up with exercise recommendations for my mom?

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estherdragonbat
estherdragonbat Posts: 5,283 Member
edited May 2018 in Fitness and Exercise
My mother is finally ready to take my advice and try strength training. She's debating asking her doctor for a referral to a physiotherapist, but it can sometimes take months for (non-emergency) appointments. And, to be honest, I'm not sure whether she'll actually make that appointment. She's the sort of person who can be gung-ho today, but if she has to wait 3 months to see a specialist, might decide to forget the whole thing. Whereas, if she can get started today with something small, she might stick with it.

My mom is 73. She suffers from low-back pain when she has to stand in one place for too long. She also has tendinitis in one leg. A surgical procedure was done some years back, but left her with pain when she has to walk for more than 10-15 minutes.

Anyone got any suggestions for safe exercises she can do in the interim?


So far, I've sent her a link to a short demo on dead bugs and a link to the "Which Lifting Program is Best for You" thread here. But after looking at some of the "You Are Your Own Gym" YouTubes, I worry that she'll start getting nervous right around the time she sees what a dynamic squat is...

(Edited to remove redundancies)

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  • k8eekins
    k8eekins Posts: 2,264 Member
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    Re-read your post Esther and having discussed it with my sister, highlighting (i) your Mum's age (ii) Tendinitis (iii) Surgery some years back (iii) Walking for > 15 mins is quite a challenge, we're left with:
    • Tai chi
    • Qigong
  • estherdragonbat
    estherdragonbat Posts: 5,283 Member
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    Thank you! I'll pass that along to her.
  • k8eekins
    k8eekins Posts: 2,264 Member
    edited May 2018
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    Esther, we're discussing your query, understanding your concern for your Mum. My sister's suggesting I recommend that if there is a Tui na therapist closeby, the 2 or either or, in conjunction with this course therapy is usually beneficial. Our Mum swears by it. At their ages, we can't only suggest they workout. Lifting requires too much hands-on time from loved ones, especially women, as some tend to feel too self conscious amongst burly fitness types. In our Mum's case, our brother lifts with her, so she doesn't feel as though she is doing it on her own. Tai chi/Qigong, she does in the company of friends and people who have her become friends. Lifting is too isolated an activity for some women who are around their ages. If they're feeling uncomfortable in their clothes, Tai chi/Qigong are forgiving and accommodating - to start, to get the interest going. Our Mum started with Tai chi and Qigong every other day. Now - it's on the daily.

    ETA: sp

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