Baby Steps Back Into Exercise

gritgirl
gritgirl Posts: 95 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I finished chemo last June and that took everything out of me. Frankly, I was so weakened, that I couldn't go up steps easily or even bend over to pick something up. I started very slow just by making myself bend over to pick things up that I had dropped. I also used my miniature schnauzer to my advantage, lifting her above my head every time I picked her up to put her on the bed (I got up to 20 reps with her before I moved on to resistance bands, poor schnauzer).

I am in a much better place physically now, but still am baby stepping. Was hoping to find others who are taking baby steps so we can encourage each other. Any little thing, 1 minute on an elliptical, walking a block, taking 1 set of stairs, I was hoping we could encourage each other into maybe 2 minutes on the elliptical, 2 blocks or 2 sets of stairs.

Looking forward to meeting other baby steppers. :-)

Replies

  • Rebamae
    Rebamae Posts: 741 Member
    I would love to join you! I just started today, and believe me it is baby steps. I am obese & happy sitting at my computer - BUT that is not what I want for the rest of my life. I am starting with 5 min walk in the morning and 5 min in the evening. How do we want to report to each other??
  • gritgirl
    gritgirl Posts: 95 Member
    Rebamae: How about we just come back here and post. I know exactly where you are. I wasn't there that long ago. Even 1 minute of walking is a big, big deal. So you go, girl!

    I've started doing the Wii Just Dance game. I'm actually very grateful that I'm doing this at homes. For right now I concentrate on getting the arm movements right on the game, and maybe do a few of the steps. It's a big baby step for me. Last night I realized I was maybe wearing the wrong shoes. Need to switch to a lighter pair of shoes, so am going to try with my walking shoes on instead of my big clunky tennis shoes.

    Thank you so much for joining me. I need as much encouragement as I can get. :-)
  • MeganPickard
    MeganPickard Posts: 1
    I almost feel like I dont have an excuse to post here, and in reality I dont. I have absolutely no excuse for not exercising, bar being lazy. My biggest problem is that I just dont enjoy it! My meal side of the diet is absolutely fine, but one can not loose weight on food alone.
    I have attempted everything, I have brought a Kinect, but have used my excersize game just the once, as the following day I ached so badly I couldnt even get up the stairs! I dont get any reward from swimming or cycling, and I can literally run for 3 mins before panting and looking a right mess.
    I am, however, determined now. I know I need to find an excersise I like and stick at it, but I also know I can not do it alone. I look forward to hearing you progress ladies.
    All for one, one for all.
  • gritgirl
    gritgirl Posts: 95 Member
    Megan: That's why we're here, to encourage each other to take even the smallest step. Generally, what I've been doing is the thing that doesn't make me sore or hate the world. At first it was just going up the stairs. That was a lot to me. Now I can go up the stairs easily, but I had to push myself to go up the stairs at all, at first.

    I hate exercising. I try and build movement around either a task I need to do (going to the store, so I walk there - for me it's walkable) or walking the dog or something else practical.

    Also, I have to remind myself that gardening is physical exercise, so if I go out to weed, that's getting exercise. I gotta count that too. So exercise isn't putting on sweats and doing it up gym like. It's just moving. :-)

    I was proud of myself the other night because while I was on the phone with a friend, I actually got up and started straightening the house. That is better than what I normally do which is just sit there and talk.

    We all hooray even the smallest amount of movement. Ya gotta start somewhere.
  • jhloves2knit
    jhloves2knit Posts: 268 Member
    Ah, I am not alone in my dislike of all exercise. I'm trying to motivate myself to walk my dog, since he LOVES it and needs it as a senior citizen doggie. I found putting on some fast music and walking in place and around the house almost acceptable. I do it more than anything else (so far everything else is 0)
  • gritgirl
    gritgirl Posts: 95 Member
    Did anyone else see the report last night about the couch potato gene. Very interesting and explains a lot. :-)

    Couch potatoes may be genetically predisposed to laziness: study
    http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/health/couch-potato-tendencies-genetic-study-article-1.1311947
  • Rebamae
    Rebamae Posts: 741 Member
    Hi ladies! Happy Mother's Day! I have been doing a little bit of walking. I really thinks this is where I need to start. Starting tomorrow I will start posting my minutes each day.
    WE CAN DO THIS TOGETHER!!
    See you tomorrow:smile:
  • lilpoindexter
    lilpoindexter Posts: 1,122 Member
    You have the right mind set. Congratulations on being strong and taking control of your life. In September of 2011 I didn't last 5 minutes on the elliptical on the lowest setting. Yesterday I went on a 40 mile bike ride. You are destined for success!
  • craigmandu
    craigmandu Posts: 976 Member
    I say this alot, but the best exercise program is one you will do. Consistency is the key.

    Aim for at least 3x a week...it doesn't have to be some overly difficult thing to do, do what you find enjoyable, even if it is simply taking a walk.

    The key to getting better is to up the intensity a little at each session or each week...if you say walk for 10 minutes, then next session do 11 etc... or go at a faster pace...whatever works for you.

    People that don't like exercise rarely stick with a difficult regimented starting plan....work up to higher intensity and more complex exercise by starting easy and light.
  • melfitnesspal13
    melfitnesspal13 Posts: 378 Member
    I started exercising again regularly the first weekend in Feb 2013. I had taken an extended vacation from Zumba when I moved to a new state. I am obese and older but have found my inner drive, which I am attributing to a miracle from God. Since Feb I have lost 30 lbs and 21 inches. I use a zumba routine on youtube "janey at 144" which is very easy. I think this Janey has many zumba videos. The are fun and easy but burn over 250 calories each workout. Next I purchased the Shawn T. Hip Hop Abs and also use those videos, which I Love !!! Finally I joined a free fitness group, who really keep me motivated. I found this group on the meetup.com website. The group support, God and workout 5-6 days a week, have really kept me in check. There is nothing I can't do!!! You have to find your own personal inner trigger. Enjoy..:happy:
  • gritgirl
    gritgirl Posts: 95 Member
    Rebamae, we're right here with you. For me it's been a low key several days. Saturday I went on a home and garden tour so that was lots of steps. And yesterday worked in my garden. I count anything as exercise, as long as I'm moving. Tonight I promise to do 30 minutes of my Wii Just Dance. Helps for me to move more. I'll be using the lighter shoes so hopefully that will help (it is dancing after all). :-)
  • Rebamae
    Rebamae Posts: 741 Member
    Good Monday Morning to each of you!
    Let's keep marching on!!
  • gritgirl
    gritgirl Posts: 95 Member
    Last night I got out and walked the dogs, which was a push for me. I did not want to get out and do anything. It's helpful to come here and post this stuff. :-)
  • Rebamae
    Rebamae Posts: 741 Member
    Good Tuesday Morning!
    Not a good night here last night. I could not sleep so found the refrigerator.:angry: Why oh why do I do that??
    I am thankful each day is a new beginning!
    I hope each of you have a wonderful day - I will check back in later!
  • gritgirl
    gritgirl Posts: 95 Member
    Rebamae: Go easy on yourself. Was something stressing you? I've been learning to meditate a little myself to help with that, or make a phone call. I used guided meditations I download from healthjourneys.com. They are great. :-)

    Last night I walked to an appointment I had, so I actually walked a mile. Woohoo. I'm telling myself I'm going to start climbing a couple of floors of stairs at work during the day. Got that start when one of the escalators was broken at a stop I was at. So there was that start. Baby steps. :-)

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