Question:
older woman never exercised much - help
hello i'm 66 years old comorbidities bmi 34 5'4" i am so excited to be scheduled for RnY surgery on april 3 this year. i have been faithful to not eating, just shakes and clear liquids and 64+ ounces water daily for 3 weeks preparing for surgery. i know i should be exercising but i have bursitis in one hip knee and ankle. i have fibromyalgia, survived three strokes, gerd,hi bld pressure, cataracts, trigeminal neuralgia, among my comorbids. i've always been strong and vital and vibrant; rode horses, built fences, garden, danced, sang, performed, acted, never felt wimpy. But, i have never been one to formally exercise, i mean do exercises. any feeble attemps to do so were overdone and after getting older, overdoing breaks down the physical system and i was stopped. now i know i must get back up and get started. i just don't know what to do or how to do it and not break down physically. i refuse to not succeed. i don't have enough time left in my life to start again. so this is it for me. and i do so want good results. i'm happy with only eating a golf ball's worth of food as long as it make me feel full and safe. right now i can only do sitting exercises to prepare for surgery, which is this friday. my surgeon won't love that ! please help me. what can i do afterward to get strong and healthy? i've read the exercise forum message board and i don't see anything related to my situation. you can't all be young hardbodies, can you? i feel left out. — tordum (posted on March 29, 2009)
March 29, 2009
Hello dear, I too have a very hard time with excercising, especially in
the beginning. I am only 4 weeks post-op. I have a herniated disk in my
lower back L5 and was barely able to walk. I found that lite swimming
and/or water aerobics really helps alot since you feel weightless in the
pool. You will just have to wait a few weeks after surgury before you can
get back in the pool, but best of luck to you :)
— michelle caballero
March 29, 2009
Walk, even if it's just to the mailbox and back. Then, gradually work up to
10 mins a day, 20 mins a day, 30 mins a day. ANother option is going to a
local YMCA or somewhere where there is a pool and an exercise program for
the pool. Our local hospital has one,as well as the ymca. The pool keeps
the pressure off of all of your joints, etc.
— westwalker
March 29, 2009
Congratulation on your dedication to improve your health. I was 60 when I
had my Surgery and have lost a 100 pounds and feel better now than I did 25
years ago. I had never exercised before because I couldn't. Each time I
attempted to exercise, I would end up in so much pain for days, that it
just wasn't worth it. Once I started shedding some of my weight, I started
walking. Slowly, first and not very far. Now I walk briskly and am up to
over a mile. Not very far for some, but for me, quite an accomplishment
and I am still adding distance. Since I still have about 70 - 80 pounds to
go, I must do what is right for me. There is no one set of guidelines. To
put things into perspective, pick up a 5 or 10 pound back of dogfood to see
what your body is carrying around. No wonder we couldn't exercise
before????? So my suggestion is to set very small goals of what you want to
do and try to stick with it. Make sure your execise is something you like
and start slowly. Each week increase your distance or time or add another
type of exercise. Mix it up! Good luck and get excited over your upcoming
adventure. It is well worth it.
— BonnieP
March 29, 2009
Hi Janaet-You are only a few years older than me. I have horrible joints,
but I feel so much better after losing 100 pounds, that I am now able to do
things I couldn't do before. You just have to remember it will never be
like it was when we were young and doing everything, but if you can just
get back to doing some lite swimming, or walking, it will make a big
difference. Don't let your doc bully you into doing stuff you are not
ready for yet. I agree also with all the others who commented before me
too. Good luck and congrats for having the courage to do this.
— katiecakes
March 29, 2009
Have you tried the Wii. It is a great form of excerise. Just play a few
games of tennis or bowl on it. You will be a wii sore. :-) If you haven't
tried it try and find someone that has one and see if you like it. The wii
fit is great to. I have the Jillian Michaels workout, she is one of the
trainers on the Biggest Loser. It really is a lot of fun. I like to find
different ways to workout instead of burn out one form of exercises. Good
luck. Have a great day.
— dsquire
March 29, 2009
As part of my pre-surgery requirements, I had to take an exercise class.
The class was using stretch bands, and we were sitting down, most of the
exercises were for a sitting position, You can buy the stretch bands at
most stores, wal-mart, sporting goods stores, etc. Some bands even come
with a CD that will show you how to do the exercises and how many
repetitions. They cost about $15.
May God Bless You Abundantly, Kathie
— KathieV
March 29, 2009
I COULDN'T WALK BECAUSE I HAD PLANTAR FACIITIS IN MY FEET. I GOT A DVD FOR
CHAIR AIROBICS. YOU SIT AND DO A VIGOROUS WORKOUT. IT IS REALLY HELPFUL.
— cecilie
March 30, 2009
No, Janet, we are not all young hard bodies! I'm 62 and 2 years post op
(LAP/RNY). I still find every excuse in the world not to exercise. Because
I was popping Advils before surgery I had that as an excuse. Now I've lost
140 pounds have no pain in my knees and feet but still find excuses not to
exercise. I've started by parking in a far spot when I go to the store and
work - this forces me to walk farther. A friend at work who's a
professional runner has offered to walk with me at lunch. I do find using
an ellyptical machine is good on the joints. Someone suggested swimming
which I've heard is a great cardio and easy on joints. Anyway, good luck to
you on Friday. You will not regret it. I appreciated your honesty. Maureen,
Akron, Ohio
— Muggs
March 30, 2009
Good Luck Janet. I am going to be 64 this summer and I, too, never did
much exercising. I still find it difficult to get into a grove. January
'08 I had lap band surgery and have lost over 70 pounds. I feel so much
better. I agree with the advice you have been given. Start walking just a
little. After surgery walk around your house. I was supposed to have
gastric bypass over 7 years ago but the surgery was not done even though
the doctor opened me up. I still had to spend 6 weeks of recovery from the
open surgery. He told me to start walking around the house. It is a
wonderful idea. Last year, after I had my lap band, I started walking a
little at a time. When my backyard pool water became warm enough, I
started walking and swimming in my pool. I also bought a WII fit and it is
wonderful. There are yoga exercises and stretching exercises. You go
girl. Good luck. Shirley
— shirl45
March 30, 2009
Please keep us all posted on how everything is progressing. Do you have an
angel on OH? I'm not very good at exercising either. I'm 4 mos out. I do
walking as I can. Don't feel left out. We are all here with you. You are
not alone. Hugs, CC
— Corina C
March 30, 2009
Hi Janet:
Looks like you have already gotten some great responses here! I used to
work at a city recreation center. There are some great programs out there
and a renewed push for seniors and exercising to promote decreased pain,
increased range of motion, socialization, and increase in quality of life
through exercise. Go online or call your city government. Find out if
there is a senior recreation center facility and/or fitness classes for
seniors. There were LOTS of them at our facility. Everything from water
aerobics to chair aerobics. All of them were done at a pace that was
geared to seniors or people with fibromyalgia. Also, look for classes that
are approved by a program called "Silver Sneakers". That is a
program developed by one of the insurance companies, but anyone can attend
them.
Good luck and little by little you will get there.
— Libby R.
March 31, 2009
Congradulations on your decision to make yourself healthier. There are alot
really great ideas posted. May I give an another idea? I don't know if
they have this in your area, but the gym, Planet Fitness, is having a
special for 1 week. It's $1.00 down and $10.00 per month. Talk to your
excercise person at your what's good for you to do. The excercise
physiologist at the center I am going to recommends certain excercises for
me at a fitness center. I to have comorbidities such as osteroporosis in
right knee, digenerative disc disease in my lower back, and gouty arthritis
in my hands and feet.
God be with you on your quest and in your surgery. keep us posted, ok?
— Kathleen W.
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