Guest guest Posted June 3, 2004 Report Share Posted June 3, 2004 Anita and Sal It does not matter the size of the weights...what matters is that we use a weight that challenges our muscles properly. Not too much, but a challenge. If you gain strength after using weights, and can increase them after a time, then you have accomplished a great deal. Going from 1 pound to 2 pounds is a 100% increase!! It might take a while to get another improvement, but if we feel good while doing it, and if we get some results, it is better than not doing it, imo. My test always was.....if i was not getting weaker, (and this i could tell because I wrote down the weights and the reps for each exercise) ( a pro advised me on that), and if i gained strength after a while, I concluded it was good for me. Since I also felt better generally, i really wanted to continue to do it. That motivated me more,.....i read the Mr Muscle magazines (not for the cheesecake!!!) and try to adapt their advice for my circumstances. Geee....I cant seem to write a short post. Sorry Take care, Sunny > Hi Sal, > > Re: scooter and dumb salesman= > Thanks for your kind words of encouragement! > > I was delighted to see your thread about exercising and > dumbells. BRAVO to you for doing such good things for your > body and I'm glad you're able to. I've been the same route of > gym...UGH. Endurance training...... ARG! > > I'm now doing SHORT (2-5 minutes a session) workouts of > yoga and ballet for flexibility and balance, rebounding for lymph > and immune system, a little bit of stationary bicycle and LIGHT > weight workouts, all AT HOME where I can " collapse " in peace > afterwards. I can only manage 2 pounder weights, but I'm pretty > tiny. Started off with 1 pound bags of beans. > > I'm thinking about MAYBE going to a warm therapy pool for water > therapy classes (probably with arthritics and MS patients) while > my hubby swims laps, but I'm not sure. The noise level might be > pretty ugly and the classes are probably way longer than I'd like. > > Keep up the good work. You are an inspiration! > > Best Wishes, > Anita > > > > > > Medical advice, information, opinions, data and statements contained > herein are not necessarily those of the list moderators. The author of > this e mail is entirely responsible for its content. List members are > reminded of their responsibility to evaluate the content of the > postings and consult with their physicians regarding changes in their > own treatment. > > Personal attacks are not permitted on the list and anyone who sends > one is automatically moderated or removed depending on the severity of > the attack. > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 3, 2004 Report Share Posted June 3, 2004 Hi Sunny, Thanks for you post. Now I won't feel so bad amount my puny 2 pound weights! Actually I HATE doing any kind of exercise because it's SO hard, but then just getting out of bed is every morning is a challenge . I just know it's good for me (not the getting out of bed, the exercise......well that is too) and will keep me healthier, more flexible and mobile in the long run, as long if I keep it in 2 minute segments. I have a sense that movement of any kind helps rid the cells of waste buildup from the lactic acid another things. <<.i read the Mr Muscle > magazines (not for the cheesecake!!!) and try to adapt their advice > for my circumstances.>> Can't help grinning, but I understand where you are coming from. I think it's great that you have gradually been able to build up your strength. Glad your posts aren't so short, I learn things from you! Best Wishes, Anita Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 3, 2004 Report Share Posted June 3, 2004 Anita Thank you for the support about the docs. It is something we all have faced. Most of the time I try not to dwell on it. I just mentioned it to explain why I didn't have a more definitive diagnosis. As far as the movement, my whole life I have felt the need to move. Earlier I thought it was hyperactive ( I am not like hyperactive people, though). Sometimes I thought it was boredom, or impatience, or claustrophobia, or a personality thing. Now I think it is part of my version of the mito thing. Although I tire easily, and must pace myself, and must rest frequently for sure, I just feel better when I am as active as I can be. And I don't think it is mental, nerves, etc. Even in a movie that i like, I will get up, walk in the back a little bit, then sit back down, maybe every 20 minutes. Waiting kills me, partly cause I cant move as freely, but even in a doc's little cubicle of an examination room, I will get up and walk around wherever I can. I do think it has something to do with the irregular metabolic process...clearing the lactic acid maybe, or some other chemical they don't know about. More support for the idea that moving and USING our muscles as much as possible - at least for me - is important, comes from these observations. Due to a cervical injury, for YEARS I did not use my upper body as much as my legs. I could always walk, but had a lot of pain in using my arms, back, etc. And those muscles that I " protected " ....didn't use, were/are the very weakest. It took a lot of trial and error to figure out how to exercise with weights and not hurt my neck, but I did learn, and now the most dramatic increase in strength is in my upper body. Also, when I do not use my weights for maybe 2-3 weeks, even though I am doing other things, I can tell with my weights that I have lost some strength again. Maybe it is only being able to do 8 reps instead of 12 on a particular move, but I can definitely feel the difference. It takes a few weeks to get back to where I was before, and then if i am faithful, I will make more gains again. Always slowly. Took me 1 1/2 years so far, and I am not at my peak yet, I think. For ME (and i know we all have different metabolic errors, so are not alike in what will help us) I am pretty sure the old " Use it or lose it " is true. One more thing, in the muscle magazines you will read about " recovery " time. I need 6 or 7 days for my muscles to be ready for more hard work. If I do the same pushing more frequently, it seems that I dont make progress. So, on 3 different days, i do 3 different muscle groups, and work each as hard as I can. This has been a key for me, and a hard - learned lesson. Again, sorry for the long post. I am like a zealot about weight lifting exercise, as you can tell. Just want to share my experiences, for any who might be interested. Affectionately to all Sunny > Hi Sunny, > Thanks for you post. Now I won't feel so bad amount my puny 2 > pound weights! Actually I HATE doing any kind of exercise > because it's SO hard, but then just getting out of bed is every > morning is a challenge . I just know it's good for me (not > the getting out of bed, the exercise......well that is too) and will > keep me healthier, more flexible and mobile in the long run, as > long if I keep it in 2 minute segments. I have a sense that > movement of any kind helps rid the cells of waste buildup from > the lactic acid another things. > > <<.i read the Mr Muscle > > magazines (not for the cheesecake!!!) and try to adapt their > advice > > for my circumstances.>> > > Can't help grinning, but I understand where you are coming from. > I think it's great that you have gradually been able to build up > your strength. > > Glad your posts aren't so short, I learn things from you! > > Best Wishes, > Anita > > > > Medical advice, information, opinions, data and statements contained > herein are not necessarily those of the list moderators. The author of > this e mail is entirely responsible for its content. List members are > reminded of their responsibility to evaluate the content of the > postings and consult with their physicians regarding changes in their > own treatment. > > Personal attacks are not permitted on the list and anyone who sends > one is automatically moderated or removed depending on the severity of > the attack. > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 3, 2004 Report Share Posted June 3, 2004 Hi Sunny, You sound like you have really done your homework on the weight lifting, worked through some really tough things going on in your upper body and have gotten a lot of good results. BRAVA! That's not an easy thing to get moving on. Glad that cervical injury sounds like it's doing OK-er now. I can identify your " hyperactive " that's not really hyperactive. Even now I can't sit still, even when I'm almost exhuasted . Once I get TOTALLY exhausted, then I can rest. < partly cause I cant move as freely, but even in a doc's little cubicle > of an examination room, I will get up and walk around wherever I can. > I do think it has something to do with the irregular metabolic > process...clearing the lactic acid maybe, or some other chemical they > don't know about.>> I would have to say from my observations that you are probably right on and I tend to agree with you. I also do the same thing, if I don't move, my symptoms of muscle weakness are much worse. If I move too much they are worse, too. You just reminded me of why I might be worse when I see my doc, as she's usually many hours behind schedule and a 4-5 hour wait in her stiffling little cubical is the norm. Next time I'm going to try getting outside and moving around every 1/2 hour. Thanks~! Wishing you a beautiful day in your neighbourhood, Anita Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 3, 2004 Report Share Posted June 3, 2004 Anita you should not feel bad two pound is just fine if its challenging enough for you.. Its also a challenge for me getting up in the morning I would not suggest you get up and pick up your weights right away.. NOOOOO!! I simply do a few repetitions for my biceps and shoulders.. ET VOILA that's all and I feel more energetic I don't know if it works for everyone but I have a neuromuscular disorder and it works for me.. BUT.. Endurance exercise especially stationary bicycle seems painful I'm all week and dizzy after even a few minutes.. Sal Re: exercise Hi Sunny, Thanks for you post. Now I won't feel so bad amount my puny 2 pound weights! Actually I HATE doing any kind of exercise because it's SO hard, but then just getting out of bed is every morning is a challenge . I just know it's good for me (not the getting out of bed, the exercise......well that is too) and will keep me healthier, more flexible and mobile in the long run, as long if I keep it in 2 minute segments. I have a sense that movement of any kind helps rid the cells of waste buildup from the lactic acid another things. <<.i read the Mr Muscle > magazines (not for the cheesecake!!!) and try to adapt their advice > for my circumstances.>> Can't help grinning, but I understand where you are coming from. I think it's great that you have gradually been able to build up your strength. Glad your posts aren't so short, I learn things from you! Best Wishes, Anita Medical advice, information, opinions, data and statements contained herein are not necessarily those of the list moderators. The author of this e mail is entirely responsible for its content. List members are reminded of their responsibility to evaluate the content of the postings and consult with their physicians regarding changes in their own treatment. Personal attacks are not permitted on the list and anyone who sends one is automatically moderated or removed depending on the severity of the attack. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 3, 2004 Report Share Posted June 3, 2004 Anita and Sunny I had a massive tear in my rotator cuff tearing all muscles. I have been in rehab for this for 20 months. I have gained a great deal of function and strength with PT and work at home. Whenever I get a bottle of water to drink, I do 10 reps, using it like a dumbbell. I also stretch 1-3 times a day. This has keep me more flexible than I would otherwise be. laurie > > Reply-To: > Date: Thu, 03 Jun 2004 16:57:01 -0000 > To: > Subject: Re: exercise > > Hi Sunny, > Thanks for you post. Now I won't feel so bad amount my puny 2 > pound weights! Actually I HATE doing any kind of exercise > because it's SO hard, but then just getting out of bed is every > morning is a challenge . I just know it's good for me (not > the getting out of bed, the exercise......well that is too) and will > keep me healthier, more flexible and mobile in the long run, as > long if I keep it in 2 minute segments. I have a sense that > movement of any kind helps rid the cells of waste buildup from > the lactic acid another things. > > <<.i read the Mr Muscle >> magazines (not for the cheesecake!!!) and try to adapt their > advice >> for my circumstances.>> > > Can't help grinning, but I understand where you are coming from. > I think it's great that you have gradually been able to build up > your strength. > > Glad your posts aren't so short, I learn things from you! > > Best Wishes, > Anita > > > > Medical advice, information, opinions, data and statements contained herein > are not necessarily those of the list moderators. The author of this e mail is > entirely responsible for its content. List members are reminded of their > responsibility to evaluate the content of the postings and consult with their > physicians regarding changes in their own treatment. > > Personal attacks are not permitted on the list and anyone who sends one is > automatically moderated or removed depending on the severity of the attack. > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 3, 2004 Report Share Posted June 3, 2004 Hi Laurie, Ouch, rotator cuff with a massive tear does NOT sound like fun. Glad rehab is helping that plus giving you added benefits. Your idea of using your water bottle as a dumbbell is a fun one. I think I'll try that. Best Wishes, Anita Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 3, 2004 Report Share Posted June 3, 2004 Anita The more you drink, the less weight you have to lift - gets the water down as well. I would not suggest a massive rotator cuff tear to anyone. I had the most intense pain I have ever had, but the pain is gone most of the time unless I overdo and I have regained lots of function. I can even move the rear view mirror in the car. laurie > > Reply-To: > Date: Thu, 03 Jun 2004 21:04:07 -0000 > To: > Subject: Re: exercise > > Hi Laurie, > Ouch, rotator cuff with a massive tear does NOT sound like fun. > Glad rehab is helping that plus giving you added benefits. Your > idea of using your water bottle as a dumbbell is a fun one. I think > I'll try that. > > Best Wishes, > Anita > > > > > > Medical advice, information, opinions, data and statements contained herein > are not necessarily those of the list moderators. The author of this e mail is > entirely responsible for its content. List members are reminded of their > responsibility to evaluate the content of the postings and consult with their > physicians regarding changes in their own treatment. > > Personal attacks are not permitted on the list and anyone who sends one is > automatically moderated or removed depending on the severity of the attack. > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 3, 2004 Report Share Posted June 3, 2004 Hi Laurie, I'm so glad that the rotator cuff is better and you can even move the rear view mirror. BRAVA! Guess that kind of pain puts erven mito pain to shame, or at least probably puts a new spin on it :-) Ok, drink more water, lift less weight. I can do that! Best Wishes, Anita Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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