Connect
Lighten Your Limbs With Friends
Hello all. I have Diabetes 2 and have avoided exercise for over 2 1/2 years. I am overweight and know that I need to get moving and lose weight. I have always had excuses not to do anything much before. I have a treadmill, and I look at it, but I never use it. A few weeks ago, I decided that it is time to lighten my limbs. I received my Mayo newsletter. and it included a twelve-week Exercise Plan. It was like fate that I had decided to exercise and Mayo dropped the perfect routine in my lap. Because it's 12 weeks and not years and years, as some plans are, the Mayo is doable. They're not asking me to run a marathon!
It's a way to get stronger and healthier. However, one part was missing: I need to be accountable to somebody else. I would love for other Connects to join me so that we could celebrate our success each week. I don't want to wait to January when all we hear is "New Year, New You." So I thought it would be good to start before the bombardment of ads for gym equipment and promises to lose many pounds too fast (and gain it back even faster). I needed a plan that will work for me and anybody else, and Mayo has given it to us.
Let's get a jump on 2019 by finishing strong in 2018. If we start the first week on Friday, November 2, 2018 (only four days from now), it will propel us through the weekend and keep us going. Just think: By January 25th, we will have completed the 12 weeks. Just when other people are trying to keep their exercise resolutions, we'll have finished 12 weeks. We'll be lighter, heathier, and stronger. We also will have gotten into the habit of exercising and hopefully, do another 12 weeks. Doesn't that sound good? To be able to say, "I'm healthier and feel so much better and have lighter limbs." For the first time I am excited to exercise, but I need others to come along with me. I need the accountability.
Please join me and give it a try. Come along with me so we can say it's not just my 12 weeks, but it's our 12 weeks. The first week asks us to do 5 minutes of warm up, five minutes of brisk walking, and five minutes of cool down. That's only 15 minutes. I can do that! The walking is the speed that you are comfortable with. The warm up and cool down are just slower walking. It can be outside, in your house, at a gym---wherever you feel comfortable and whatever time of day is convenient. Nothing required except determination and desire to make it 12 weeks.
I'll post the exercise times for each week once we get started. Let's give this gift to ourselves and improve throughout the holidays. If you have any questions, send me a note, and I'll answer what I have from Mayo.
Everybody's walking! Sounds great to me.
@retiredteacher
Volunteer Mentor
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Diabetes & Endocrine System Support Group.
Connect
@marvinjsturing How are you? I just finished my morning walk and wonder if you are walking or doing some other exercises? I hope you have been well and are getting good donor news.
Carol
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactions@retiredteacher I am continuing to exercise. In a typical week, I spend 1 1/2 hours at the aquatic center and walk 10 miles on the treadmill. My sister is one of the possible donors. She has completed the health questionnaire on the website. She has also completed the initial blood tests. She is hoping to go to Rochester during spring break to see if she is a match. My 6-month PET scan will be scheduled for June. Nephrology was talking about doing testing at that time to verify my eligibility to be placed on the active list. I am hoping that if everything works out (a lot of things need to happen first), I can get my transplant this summer.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 Reactions@marvinjsturing It sounds as if everything is on track. I can't believe you're walking ten miles on your tread. That's great. I don't think I could ever do that! And adding the aquatic center is wonderful too. You certainly have yourself focused and that certainly helps. I hope that your sister is a match. It sounds as if you are doing everything right. Keep up the good work.
Carol.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactions@marvinjsturing Please tell me you don't do 10 miles on the treadmill at one session. It takes me about 25 minutes to do a mile and a quarter. I can do more on my bike, about 6 - 7 miles in 35 - 45 minutes.
JK
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@contentandwell No, not 10 miles in one session. I do a 2 mile walk 5 times a week. It takes me 44 minutes to walk the 2 miles.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@marvinjsturing Phew, I feel so much better, less sluggish. Actually when I said above that it takes me about 25 minutes to do a mile and a quarter I was referring to the elliptical. I used to do the treadmill and I think I did get further on that.
JK
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionOK. For all of you who completed the 12 week challenge and are still continuing to exercise, I just found the new challenge that I am going to work on in the next month. Will you join me?
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactions@marvinjsturing This is good, and I could do this without even thinking. With Diabetes rest is recommended, so I take full advantage of that. I don't consider taking a nap being lazy. I'm letting myself catch my breath from exercise and letting my old body feel better. I've never seen it before.
I think we better walk first and then nap.
Carol
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@retiredteacher I was never sure of the cause - cancer/surgery/chemo or diabetes or CKD or age - but I need a nap or two a day. If I have to, I can get through a day without a nap, but I pay for it the next day. I accept it as a fact of life. I try to celebrate the gift of life every day
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactions@marvinjsturing I think it is just giving the body a rest as we get older. I need a nap sometimes several to get through the day and my husband does too. I just think it's a normal part of the aging cycle.
Carol
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction