Lighten Your Limbs With Friends

@woodinville, I am so glad you want to Lighten Your Limbs It is a Mayo Walking Exercise Plan that I read on my Mayo Newsletter. I am a 2 1/2 year Diabetic 2 and have controlled my disease with diet, but couldn't convince myself to exercise until I read this suggestion. Because it doesn't require any gym tough machines or any special equipment, I thought I would try it and see if anyone else wanted to try it too.
When I was young, I was an exercise fanatic and was never overweight until I retired as a result of health reasons. So for the last too many years I have not exercised. When I read this Mayo Plan, I knew I could do it. It's not so much to lose weight, but it's to get healthier and stronger. This program is a 12 week plan. I thought: I can do that. Several other members are along because we need accountability. I'd fool myself if I didn't have to report my progress. You can start any time you want and do as much as you want. I have received email from several people who have done more or added other types of exercise besides walking.
The first week is to walk 5 minutes at a slow pace for warm up; then do 5 minutes at a faster rate; then do five minutes of cool down at a slower pace---that's 15 minutes. I did my first week and 15 minutes. I'm ready for Week 2. Mayo says do 5 days of the 7 if you want to. Some have done all 7; some have done the 5. The great thing is to do what works for you. The increase is always the fastest time. But that's what makes it work. Have you seen any of the posts from people who are doing this? Do you need more information? Do you need any more info about this plan?
I am not doing this to lose weight, but I need to. I didn't weigh before I started. I just need to be stronger. I'll be happy to tell my endocrinologist that I'm exercising!
So glad to hear from you. Let me know if you need anything else to get started. I'm delighted to add your name to the list. We are a small group, but everyone seems to need this plan. I know I do.

@retiredteacher
Volunteer Mentor

@retiredteacher after my knee replacement my ortho told me to do my recumbent bike 5 days a week, consecutively, then to take 2 days off for recovery. I think that could apply to almost any exercise, he just knew that I was already using my bike, and he’s a big fan of recumbent bikes. I generally try to alternate what I do for exercise, doing my water aerobics and water jogging some days, and the gym with treadmill and other equipment other days. I still do the bike but primarily when I haven’t gotten much other exercise in.
JK

Day one, WOW I am out of shape!

@woodinville, I'm the same way. I could start, but if I didn't have to be accountable, I could never monitor myself, and I'd stop. So now that I will post my progress to the group at the end of every week, I'll have to be good and be accountable. The chart of the weeks is great. I love to check off every day. That makes me know I accomplished what I needed to do.
I am using a treadmill to walk, but you can walk outside (weather permitting), or you can walk your house. House walking is relatively new to me. Just go from room to room and decide how you want to go through and around in the rooms and before you know it, you have completed your 5-5-5 for Week 1. if you have a two story house, the stairs are really good for exercise.
I am so glad you are going to give it a try. I think you'll find it's a doable plan because it's not hard and painful. I loved checking off the days of Week 1. Now, I'm ready for Week 2.
Let me know if you need any more information.
@retiredteacher
Volunteer Mentor

@contentandwell I am going to report each week to those who want to participate. Since I started this, I think it's important that I am accountable. That's always been my weakness in exercise---not being accountable and then just sliding away from what I intended to do. Having others along was the main reason I mentioned this plan. I don't know if diet tips will be a part, but some who are interested may share food-related tips. You don't have to walk outside. I can't walk outside, so I'll use my treadmill. One of the neatest ways I heard lately was house walking. Follow a trail through the rooms of your home. I have a two story house so going up and down stairs and through my rooms would be good for me---maybe one of these days. For now, it will be the treadmill. Exercise is like Diabetes, everyone is different so we just have to see what works for each of us. See what you think.

@retiredteacher
Volunteer Mentor

I am so excited. Today was the end of Week 2 of Lighten Your Limbs. I made it adding the extra speed and am ready for Week 3 when the brisk walk is 9 minutes, with 5 minutes to warm up and 5 minutes to cool down. That's 19 minutes---not much to feel stronger and be healthier. I hope everyone is still along. I'll be on the road again tomorrow.
@retiredteacher
Volunteer Mentor

Successfully completed another week. Ready for the next level!

@hopeful33250, That's another plus for this Plan---you can go at your own speed and start when you want to. I think of the story of the tortoise and the hare. The turtle took his time and still won! Whenever you begin and whatever speed works for you makes you a winner!
Let me know when you start and if this works for you.
@retiredteacher
Volunteer Mentor

@retiredteacher

Ok, here is my update, while I have not been walking or biking (no room in my small place for either type of equipment) I have been trying to increase my activity to five days a week. As I go to group exercise classes twice, I've been using home exercise or YouTube videos (Tai Chi or other gentle forms of movement) and I'm now up to 4 days of concentrated movement in a week. So, I'm feeling encouraged. I'm happy to hear of everyone's progress as we work together to Lighten and/or Strengthen our Limbs with friends!
Time to get "On the Road Again, " Listen with me to Willie Nelson,