Thanks for posting this, I was hoping you would when you mentioned it in the PBSWC thread. I came across my stepper with elastic cords in it's box the other day. I pulled it out and set it up. I had forgotten I had that, it was in storage for so long and saw it caught up in all the boxes I had to go through. I gave it 5 minutes and the burn was intense. I will have to work up to more time on it though. I think I am going to sell my Trikke and just use this stepper because I can do that indoors and it won't matter what the weather is like.

I can only use the Trikke in the winter when the weather is decent and there are no mosquitos because those things make a meal out of me the instant I step outside. So with the my recumbent bike and my stepper I may be able to get all the exercise I need daily. I sure hope to have stronger legs by May so the walking and standing will be easier for me. I also have a pilates machine but cannot use it. I can't get up from the floor because it is just too low for me. If we put it on a stand I might be able to use it too. Otherwise I will probably just sell it and it has only been used three times and is still in the box. I also have the jump board that comes with it.

This is great, thanks Debora, I need the accountability.

Yesterday, I didn't get to the dvd, but PT was intense. This morning, I did the Wednesday 1 mile, ON Wednesday. I'm remembering that last year, at this time, I tried to get into the habit of daily walking and couldn't even get through the warm-up portion without having to sit and rest. That's when I knew something was seriously wrong with me. What a difference a year makes.

I will continue to try to do the walking first thing in the morning, otherwise, it seems that I don't get to it.

Marcie, you remind me of my sister, walking at break time and lunch time. She calls me on her cell and I marvel that she can walk briskly AND talk to me at the same time. I get out of breath just talking. You have a beautiful walking area, looks like a lovely place.

Portland has Forest Park, a 5,100 acre park within the city limits of Portland. I've heard of it for years, but we never visited. I checked it out on the internet over this past weekend, thinking that we'd drive there on Sunday. Found out that it's all hiking trails, you have to walk, bike or take your horse. No motor vehicles. So, that will be a destination for John and I this coming summer, Sunday was too cold to be out of the car for very long.

Anewstart, I agree with the others, don't over-do. You don't want to push so hard that you can't make your up-coming trip. Congratulations on what you've done, good work.

Debora, saw your fb comment about entering Kentucky, congratulations. Take it easy, a fever is nothing to fool with.

Good Morning, I didn't get to the dvd this morning, but I have a moment to talk about the resistance exercises that I have as PT homework.


I actually keep my arms at waist level, (they call it "rowing motion"), since I can't raise my left arm that high yet.



This is side motion, both inward and then outward.

The other exercises, that I don't have the diagrams, is using a broom stick to raise my arm up. In the gym, it's a pulley system, but at home, I use a stick. I'll see if maybe I can find a photo on-line for these others. And then, the hardest one right now is putting my arm behind my back and holding on to the end of a towel or pillow case and using my right hand, on the other end of the towel to pull up my left arm and stretch it up and behind my back.

Laying flat on my back, I do the same side motion as the bands, but using the weight instead. Boy, this is hard to explain.

I agree, Debora, it's easier when alone, unless your partner is going to walk with you. But, I don't want to hear John's little comments if he's watching.


Here's a link to the stretch using a towel

Towel-Shoulder-Stretch

I copied a couple diagrams using the weights, but it won't let me put them here. Must be a copyright thing or something.

I have been using the stepper and its going well. I am still doing 4 sets of 2 minutes and I do them fast so my heart beats faster.

I find with exercise it has to be something that you like to do. I am starting to get a little bored with my routine, cardio machines and weights. I was thinking of taking a combination class at the gym tomorrow. The idea of breaking up the workout into 10 minute segments is a good idea and is a great way to start out. My partner does his cardio in segments and works great for him. The basic rule still applies to all workouts in that you must have a combination of cardio, strength and flexibility, working on the core is also important.

Yesterday was good, got in two miles, but skipped the extra chest/back segment. Today, I went back to just the one mile, plus the leg segment. I'm pretty sure I couldn't make the Friday 5 mile walk. Although, I won't know that until I try...next Friday.

Yesterday, I also did lots of walking in town. John and I went to Portland to run errands and was gone from 11:30 am til 6 pm. I'd guess that we were in the car a total of about 3 hours, so that means we were walking the remaining 3 1/2.

Good Morning, I posted over at the PBS and almost forgot to come by here. (I got 2 of the 3 eggs, the third one already had a hole pecked in it, so I tossed it out on the lawn and it was eaten up immediately).

I did one mile today, hope to do more as the week progresses. I also plan to do 3 sessions of PT exercises today since I only did one yesterday.