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Let’s Go Walking! Join me for a virtual walking support group
Just Want to Talk | Last Active: Dec 4 7:56am | Replies (4374)Comment receiving replies
I want to walk more.
Over time I've had various orthopedic surgeries, joint replacements and have gotten discouraged about walking distances. But I think I can improve strength and endurance for walking.
Many years ago I had a bicycle accident and a number of surgeries after that including a difficult hip replacement last summer. I’m in my 70's now.
As a start to a new walking program this morning I walked around the first floor of my building and noted my # of steps. I want to increase from this.
I used my rolling walker since I can walk faster with that.
Replies to "I want to walk more. Over time I've had various orthopedic surgeries, joint replacements and have..."
My Mom and her friends in assisted living had a walking club - around the city block in nice weather, up and down the halls when not. They walked before lunch "to work up an appetite". As they became more frail, canes, walkers and even wheelchairs became part of the routine.
Let me tell you a little story - 5 years ago, my friend had a complex hip replacement, complete with wearing what we called her "exoskeleton" for almost 9 months. As soon as she could make it down the one step from her door to her ramp, she was walking with her upright walker on her patio 3 times a day - and kept progressing. The next year, she had shed her external brace, but the leg will never be completely stable, so the walker stayed. Her husband had brain surgery and became a bit wobbly - so he got an upright rollator for himself. Every morning, right after coffee, they walk a mile together, taking in the morning sights and sounds in our tiny community. Then they retreat to their shady patio for breakfast.
She has a special (portable) walker for more adventurous treks - like on packed sand at the beach 2 hours away, or a day at a museum. The two of them have inspired all of us to keep on moving no matter out challenges (Oh, I forgot to mention they are well into their 80's)
This weekend, I danced instead of walking - over 5 miles on Friday, and about 3 miles yesterday. Today is my "day off" - just strolling my own yard.
Sue
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@loll
That’s so great to hear. I’m not sure how you are tracking your steps now but I use a watch . It’s a great incentive. I set mine to a minimum of 5000 daily which is about 2.5 miles. It gets to be a real habit and so I walk first thing in the morning to reach the minimum and everything after that is a plus for me. Mine also nags me if I sit too long.
If you do get a watch you’ll be surprised at the number of steps you take daily. Each day you can add a few more steps around the building or outdoors and visually see your progress. You’ll be proud of yourself and won’t want to skip a day and your body will love you for the exercise. I have a Samsung Galaxy that I got on Amazon about 4 years ago. It tracks a lot more information and is synced to my Android phone. So the basic ones are a lot cheaper today even those that come with a lot of options. One thing though, my arm with the watch has to be in motion so perhaps a simple pedometer , if that’s what you are using, might work better since you are using a walker.
By the way, you don’t have to walk fast in the beginning…just a steady gait and your speed will increase over time.
FL Mary