I'm in a flare and have had to go off work from this week. I mentioned on another post that my boyfriend is going to help me with a fitness programme tailored for me (he is a registered instructor) and another person suggested I post it on here.
I have to stress this is just for me and my boyfriend is NOT an OT or physical therapist.(He's actually a commercial flooring contractor, but coaches teenagers fusal, and football (soccer) in his spare time and trained at De havillands, University of Hertfordshire)
So!
He is only giving me a week by week schedule as he knows I'm impulsive and likely to rush ahead
This week I'm to rest and just do the stretching that I always have and walking round the block once a day if I can.
WEEK 1
I'm to have a warm bath mid morning when the worst of my stiffness is over and then do my full Shibashi Tai Chi programme that the OT's originally gave me. Yes, I hold my hands up and admit I've not been consistant with it over the last 6 weeks or so (how could he tell?!).......this takes me about 15 - 20 mins. I can only suggest people google it and find the type of Tai Chi I'm talking about (I will look and see if I can find one close to my programme)
Walk to do small errands in the town (I'm half a mile from the town centre) as long as it doesn't involve carrying anything that doesn't fit into my handbag. (purse)
He'll see how I manage next week then go from there :)
That's a nice gentle start. And if it's okay weather, the walk to town and back will not only give you some exercise, but fresh air, and out of the house.
I love it! So perfect for those of us having a flare but will feel like we are doing something. Thanks so much Louise! I do not know Tai Chi at all but I have seen it done and think I can make up a stretching using some poses that will keep me from losing all core strength until I can get back in the pool. Thank you and your boy friend (I think he's a keeper.....)
Yep, it sounds ok to me too, we will sit down and go through how it feels, if I manage etc the end of the first week and he’ll make suggestions as to what to add, change. He wants to ‘make it fun’ he says! And yes Michael, I think he’s a keeper too
Tai Chi is a good form of gentle exercise and I enjoy doing it especially out doors. It helps relieve stress as well. I also have it on a CD to do at home. Swimming is also so good if you can find a heated pool as being weightless in the water helps my pain even if it is only for the time I am in the pool or shortly aftewards. I am hoping that swimming regularly will help me get fit, loose some weight and help my joints. I think the key to exercise is finding something that you actually enjoy doing. it is not easy finding ways to exercise when our joints hurt. I have to find the balance of what exercises I can do that don't aggravate my pain. Good luck with your new regime.
WEEK 2
Well week one has gone well and I ve got most of my Tai Chi programme licked The walking didn’t do so well as we are having a really wet December here in the UK (go figure!) And to get cold and wet is not going to help me.
Dancing!!! I’ve always loved to dance from when I was a little girl and I’ve missed it so much. So this week ill be adding some dancing in my kitchen! He’s even got me a 70’s CD with a lot of the dance tracks from my youth…nothing too strenuous, just feel and move to the music as my body let’s me…I’ve not danced around my kitchen for a good 6 months so this will be fun
I can now see how he motivates sulky teenagers!
I love to dance too. I have missed it but I find I can do it in the pool (when I am lucky enough to be in the pool alone!) with the music in my head! I told my family I was going to wear a shower cap with an MP# player taped to my head so I could have music too.........luckily they get my humor!
Bella you’re so right swimming is good for us! But I’m still not getting in the pool yet as my SI joints seem worse for a few days after swimming, so going to go in the week after Christmas, and walk and exercise in the water, hopefully.
Michael there is a lady at my pool who swims every sunday with ear phones and and a player of some sort strapped to her arm. Sometimes she forgets herself and sings along with whatever she’s listening to, it really makes me smile.
Hey! I wonder if there’s swimming hats with built in music players?..if not, there could be a gap in the market
Oh Louise what a great idea! We will invent them and make a mint and never have to work again! We will spend all our time in a warm pool with cute little cabana boys waiting on us, serving special drinks with little umbrellas..............My own little Christmas day dream.............<3!
