Still moving

I havent posted in a while. I have still been working out, even when I've gotten in short funks I've broken out and continued exercisig.

I've been mostly consistant with using exercise bands. Whether I see big improvements or not exercising regularly is certainly good for the mind and health over all.

I started standing up and doing squats again slowly but plan to continue. Surprisingly it was not nearly as difficult as I thought it might be.

Yesterday and today I got on the floor for about 30 minutes to stretch out and figure out what else I can work on and it went well, today better than yesterday.

Interestingly a friend at work that I never mention my goals or potential to in the past and today keeps persistantly telling me about her aunt that broke her neck and is now doing so well and she just wants me to meet her and talk to her because she truly believes I can go much further. I have always believed that. Anyway, I decided that I should at least meet her aunt. Funny that from time to time I pray that God would bring the right person into my life to further use this potential that He's blessed me with. We will see.

Is anyone still getting this blogs updates?

I am still walking once a day usually with the walker.

Feeling good.

I just started using google calender to log what exercises I do, it's a big help and motivator. I can color code different activities. Walking is red, so I can look at each day of last week and push myself to walk further this week. I had walked over a hundred steps from time to time this year, but up and down and it didn't stay at a hundred. The last 3 days I've walked a hundred steps, I think the first time this year I have 3 consecutive days. It was not that easy but I know it's important so I pushed myself to reach a hundred.

The pain that halted my exercise for a few weeks, maybe 2 months, has gotten less, still some but am happy to be able to be exercising and pushing myself again.

Like I said the google calendar is great, I've started adding little thins that I can do during the day, before work and at work. I've started doing crunches at night before bed. It's so easy to not feel like it and just not do it but consistancy pays off. I keep looking for other exercises to add that will pay off.

I haven't made it to the floor yet other than falling Saturday afternoon, and just being there sitting felt so good stretching my legs out, so i will find a way to get there consistantly.

hang in there and thank you,

ian

Motivation

I have been lacking energy and motivation and feeling discouraged. My walking distance declined drastically over a weeks time. But I hung in there and this week has started off better. A good friend sent me a word of encouragement and reminded me that God is always there with me. It's so cool how God uses others at various times to remind us of His love and purpose for us. I know this is not a religious centered blog but I am a faith based person so at times my Christian faith will be referenced in my posts. I am thinking on psalm 37:4 that says: Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart.

I know that people accomplish many things without any thought to God, but I much rather walk 50 steps with God than a thousand without Him. He has blessed me much and I wouldn't trade it for nothing.

Today I did a set of 20 squats. My right leg is still a constant battle but I don't let that make me give up. I think that I will try to do a few different exercises at least 3x a week to keep some consistancey yet not feel over whelmed. For example, pullups, squats, chair exercises - instead of feeling let down if I don't do things every day I might much better benefit by several sensible routines 3x a week.

I did make a video a few months back of me exercising in a chair, I need to post it so others can tell me how to improve / modify / add to it.

Thank you for checking in, hang in there, in exercise and in life.

Ian

Still trying to hang in

It's been a while since I posted. I had and am still trying to get over some health set backs. I have a problem with something called referred pain. Since I'm not always aware if I'm hurting or not I could have a problem with my right leg but I could feel it somewhere else in my body.

I did feel like giving up because I haad been doing so well making progress and then I started having pain that wouldn't even let me stand up.

I have a problem with my right leg, from always sitting, always favoring my right stronger side, that leg has gotten chronically tight, and eventually began effecting my overall ability.

I'm trying to work on it and it has gotten better but it's a constant battle. But we should never give up on a battle just because it's rough.

I have walked 10 consecutive days in a row, yesterday walking 134 steps, farthest in a long time. I started doing pull ups again. I'm trying to get going with squats again but my right leg is fighting me, but I will continue.

I'm looking at making something like this: http://www.mybottomsupbar.com/ so I can get to and from the floor with little help. I'm also hoping to get in the pool and see what I can do in there.

I'm still working on it. Thanks for the support.

Ian

Nice to see progress

Hi all,

I am doing pretty well. The last two weeks have been busy so only got to do squats twice a week, going to plan to do 3 or 4 x this week. I've been keeping track of what I do in a daily planner and that's a big help.

I did stand up myself once:) With zero assistance from anyone, but I did use the bar, but that is fine, that was my goal. But I did it once so I can do it again, eventually I want to stand myself every time. At first I tried with just my right hand on the bar, and I started standing but I started falling to the right because of very weak core muscles. Still looking for that solid effective core exercise to add to my steady arm (pullups) and leg (squats) routiine.

I have been able to continue doing pullups reguarly (5x a week.) My left arm /hand (weaker) I have to always struggle to get my arm up and tight fingers wrapped around the bar, a real struggle sometimes. But yesterday it was pretty easy, got it almost all the way there without using my right hand. My left arm is still weak and stiff but this was a great improvement. So if you keep with it you will be rewarded with progress that will make you smile:)

Thanks everybody!

Ian

going pretty good

I've been sticking to my routine pretty steady the last 2 weeks. Squats are going good. I set a goal of standing up by myself. I'm really close but the mental part / safety net of my wife holding my arm is hard to get past. I set my goal for this year, but I think I can accomplish it in a few months or a few weeks, just need to get past the mental.

I did pullups today, I really like working my arms this way and really hope to make more time for it, twice a week would be better than once a week.

I usually walk about 70 steps but had recently set a goal for 100. I reached that goal twice this week, 122 and 140, felt awesome! :-) God rocks all the time.

Thanks for all feedback.

Ian

Feel good starting the new year

I've been keeping up with my squats pretty good and trying some other things. Tonight I did 3 sets, 10, 25, 14, the best I've done in a while and feel really good. Time still seems to be my biggest challenge but trying to figure it out. I joined a strength fitness forum and am getting some good ideas from there. I'm so specific orientated, I can't just do it, I need to know exactly what and if it will improve / strengthen. Since my time is limited I look for only effective exercises to add to my routine.

Anyway, that's it for now. Thank you for your ideas.

Ian