Seriously unfit - your help please!

TiredTrophy

Are you entitled to a course of nhs hydrotherapy? You would be able to ask for the volu teer drivers in you area to get there...it is usually a set price per mile.

DomRavioli

TiredTrophy wrote: »

Are you entitled to a course of nhs hydrotherapy? You would be able to ask for the volu teer drivers in you area to get there...it is usually a set price per mile.

We have absolutely nothing of the sort in my area, we don't even have volunteer drivers let alone NHS rehabilitation! I was supposed to have 6 months of follow up once discharged, I had half an hour then was told to go home and get on with it because I was wasting their time (the complications left me in a bad way so they took the absolute michael).

DomRavioli

greenbee wrote: »

I've got a couple of slipped discs which I've had for a couple of decades now. Pilates is the key to my mobility and strength. You have to start with the basics, and if you have a break, go back to them. I started again 2.5 years ago after a three year break from all exercise/fitness due to other health issues and was very frustrated by going back to beginners exercises but am now able to do things I've never done before. It helps with the breathing too.

Keep persevering with the walking. It's going to take time, and you can't risk overdoing it. I would also ask your gym whether they would suspend your membership on medical grounds till you are fit enough to walk there. Mine actually refunded me for the period before I realised I could ask this.

Do you know anyone else local to you who uses your gym and could give you a lift occasionally. Even a weekly session in the pool (not swimming to begin its, just using it for hydrotherapy to help you get mobile) would help. And maybe it would help with the frustration and boredom too. I remember what that was like!

I'm still trying to walk, had a bit of an iffy week but still trying!

There's nobody who goes to my gym who I can ask for a lift, I don't know anyone at the gym to ask! The boredom is killing me, I can't get out anywhere, I daren't venture to the shops yet as I can't get round the block so I have no chance in Tesco.

I'll ave a look for some pilates classes locally

TiredTrophy

Gosh, I am so sorry.
You will just have to be strong and show them!.....but gently:)

micky2phones

DomRavioli wrote: »

Hi all,

As the title says I'm seriously unfit. Not very overweight (could lose a few pounds but still a size 12), but I am seriously unfit. I used to have a very physical job, being on my feet for 12 hours a day with a lot of manual handling, but due to ill health that had to go, and with it my fitness levels. I'd say I'm literally starting from zero.

I had surgeries the last two years on my knee and back (which are now healed and I'm OK'd to exercise again), but I can barely walk to the shop and back without needing a lie down!

Please don't suggest Couch 2 5K, I am completely unable to run due to the surgeries so anything that involves running/high impact is out.

I want to exercise at home (I have a large garden) until I am able to get to the gym (can't even walk it there, let alone participate yet). I don't mind what it is, I've started on Wii U Fit and have seen benefits but it is very repetitive!

Any ideas?

Hi, have you thought about TAI CHI ? Helps with balance, mobility and muscle building, i think you can pick up a dvd cheap off the net.

Then after a while move on to other forms of exercise

greenbee

DomRavioli wrote: »

I'm still trying to walk, had a bit of an iffy week but still trying!

There's nobody who goes to my gym who I can ask for a lift, I don't know anyone at the gym to ask! The boredom is killing me, I can't get out anywhere, I daren't venture to the shops yet as I can't get round the block so I have no chance in Tesco.

I'll ave a look for some pilates classes locally

I remember the boredom and then the frustration and exhaustion of not being able to do anything when I tried. And the inability to concentrate.

I hate to say it (because I hated it when it was said to me) but you are going to have to be patient.

Find things to do to stop you getting bored. I read poetry because books were too much of an effort. And I spent a lot of time being fed up but unable to do much about it. My friends were amazing - they'd come over and bring lunch or make me a cup of tea or wander slowly into the village with me, and when I could cope with sitting in the car they'd take me out for short walks.

It does get better. You're going to slowly find you can do more, but whatever you do don't rush it.

Get hold of the gym, put your membership on hold, see whether you can blag a refund or at least a credit for when you rejoin (they'll know how long you've been away) and spend the money on a decent physio and Pilates classes (if you were anywhere near me I would give you some recommendations, but you MUST do classes, not use DVDs until you have stabilised) possibly even starting with 1-2-1 at home. See whether you have a local voluntary care/volunteer driver/community car scheme that could help with getting you to appointments.

In the meantime maybe get some audiobooks and spend a lot of time soaking in the bath wit Epsom salts and concentrate on eating foods that will help your recovery.

And come back to report progress/moan/distract yourself. The good news is that the fact that you are getting frustrated by your progress means you are recovering, but don't rush things or it may set you back.

gfplux

You have had some super advise and I would also suggest
Walking and step counting and Aqua Gym.
However before doing more I suggest you visit your Doctor. Walking two houses and feeling as bad as you describe is not normal.
Your Doctor can advise you.
Frankly I would cancel the gym membership as walking is the way to go.
With step counting remember this is only for your personal comparison. As an example Last year I averaged 169000 steps per month. This was as measured by my Google fit app on my Samsung phone. This number is only useful to me, for me to compare. For me I know that this year I want to beat lasts years daily average of 5589 steps per day. So that is my target. If I look at my app now I can see that I beat my target (5589) 18 times this month after 25 days. So it looks a good month.
Good luck.

DomRavioli

gfplux wrote: »

You have had some super advise and I would also suggest
Walking and step counting and Aqua Gym.
However before doing more I suggest you visit your Doctor. Walking two houses and feeling as bad as you describe is not normal.
Your Doctor can advise you.
Frankly I would cancel the gym membership as walking is the way to go.
With step counting remember this is only for your personal comparison. As an example Last year I averaged 169000 steps per month. This was as measured by my Google fit app on my Samsung phone. This number is only useful to me, for me to compare. For me I know that this year I want to beat lasts years daily average of 5589 steps per day. So that is my target. If I look at my app now I can see that I beat my target (5589) 18 times this month after 25 days. So it looks a good month.
Good luck.

Firstly, I already walk, and have a pedometer - This has been discussed in the thread, maybe read it.

Secondly, it is PERFECTLY NORMAL for me to have this at the moment, please do not talk about what you quite obviously have no clue of. My consultant, my two physios, and my lovely rehab specialist nurse are all very happy with my progress.

And I would never cancel my gym membership - I enjoy the gym, why the heck would I cancel it? I have (after some great advice by normal people) frozen it on medical grounds, and as soon as I am able will continue to enjoy going.

Please go troll someone else because I am not in the mood for whiny idiots who know nothing about medical issues and the compounded and refracted impact of a triple infection on spinal surgery.

missbiggles1

DomRavioli wrote: »

Firstly, I already walk, and have a pedometer - This has been discussed in the thread, maybe read it.

Secondly, it is PERFECTLY NORMAL for me to have this at the moment, please do not talk about what you quite obviously have no clue of. My consultant, my two physios, and my lovely rehab specialist nurse are all very happy with my progress.

And I would never cancel my gym membership - I enjoy the gym, why the heck would I cancel it? I have (after some great advice by normal people) frozen it on medical grounds, and as soon as I am able will continue to enjoy going.

Please go troll someone else because I am not in the mood for whiny idiots who know nothing about medical issues and the compounded and refracted impact of a triple infection on spinal surgery.

That is a very harsh response to someone who was only trying to help.:(

DomRavioli

missbiggles1 wrote: »

That is a very harsh response to someone who was only trying to help.:(

How is telling me that I don't know what I'm doing, I should see a doctor (already under 4 of them, which I put earlier), and I should get an app trying to help?

Oh and also how is telling me to quit my gym to walk more helping? It isn't my fault the troll didn't read the thread and came out with a man cow dung response; I'm not being told by an internet randomer who cannot be bothered reading a couple of posts what to do.

I also don't care if it is harsh. Life is harsh. Deal with it.