MrsLinda
06-24-2005, 10:55 AM
This is NOT one of my favorite subjects :rolleyes: but one that really needs addressing.
We all know what exercises we should be doing to stregnthen our new hips. But are these exercises also going to help "reduce" our body fat??
I'm on the "hefty" side to put it politely. I've always been a "big girl" standing 5'8" with a very large frame. But now, as my age creeps upon me and my lifestyle has changed, so had my body mass!! :eek: To put it bluntly....I need to loose weight and get back into shape.
I was never a fitness nut. I know what routine I would have followed prior to the surgery. But now???
So I guess my question is other than walking and swimming, what exercises can I do that will help "reduce" the body fat and burn calories without putting stress on the new joint???
Thanks hippy buddies!!!
We all know what exercises we should be doing to stregnthen our new hips. But are these exercises also going to help "reduce" our body fat??
I'm on the "hefty" side to put it politely. I've always been a "big girl" standing 5'8" with a very large frame. But now, as my age creeps upon me and my lifestyle has changed, so had my body mass!! :eek: To put it bluntly....I need to loose weight and get back into shape.
I was never a fitness nut. I know what routine I would have followed prior to the surgery. But now???
So I guess my question is other than walking and swimming, what exercises can I do that will help "reduce" the body fat and burn calories without putting stress on the new joint???
Thanks hippy buddies!!!
Sponsor
Ripanco
06-24-2005, 01:22 PM
Hi Linda,
Been there! Since I have been through the weight gain with age and family and stuff and been able to come out the other side maybe I can give you a few ideas.
Although short, I am big boned and have always been muscular. My work kept me pretty strong, but, man, the pounds slowly crept up as I had kids and my metablolism slowed down and appetite did not!
It did take a big life change which included a long over due divorce to make me take stock of myself. I think the biggest change was putting myself at the top of my care list and starting to care about myself again. My biggest change was changing my eating habits to smaller portions and trying to eat healthier foods. I lost nearly 50 lbs in a year that way.
Then I met the guy that really changed my life and rocked my world! Believe it or not we met online:). He was into fittness, something I really hadn't gotten into. When we met I was happy to be a pretty good looking size 10. However, within about 6 weeks of starting to run and work out with Jerry, I only lost about 10 more pounds but went to a size 4!! I still weigh 130 lbs, but it is all muscle, no fat. I have maintained 130+-, 11-15% body fat for over 3 years now. And eat like a horse, but extremely healthy. Jerry does most the cooking!
You may say you can't exercise that much. When I met Jerry, I couldn't run for more than 10 min without being completely out of breath. He brought me along in baby steps, adding 2-5 min a week so that I almost didn't notice the difference. He added in other fun crosstraining activities like rollerblading. He taught me to lift weights. I swear, I could see my body metamorph before my eyes. Just before my hips really gave out, I had raced a good 1/2 marathon and was in training for a full marathon. I could run at a good pace for about 3 hrs. (And all my doctors said it was not the running that ruined my hips, they were shot long before I started running)
BUT IT HAS TO BE DONE IN BABY STEPS!! My mantra when I was learning to run was "One telephone pole at a time"
When the arthritis curtailed my running I was so worried about my fittness and weight. But so far, I have not gained any weight and my fat is still only about 15-16%.
The one thing that helped me the most was finding cardio that I could do without hurting my joints. That is what you will need too. Swimming is good, but I found pool running to be way better! You need a special vest called an aqua jogger, or you can do it with a pool noodle to get started. You actually run in deep water. There are several variations to keep it a little interesting, but you get your heart rate up there good. I also do all my PT moves in the water since it adds resistance.
If you can get to a gym, use the eliptical machine and the recumbant bikes, they are real easy on your joints and give you a kick a** cardio workout. Learn to lift weights, they help maintain your bone strenght and build muscle that burns fat.
All exercise will help burn calories which is a biggie, but the only way to burn fat, is to do cardio type workouts where you get your heart rate up for at least 30 min. After about 30 min, you are burning mostly fat, before that you are burning glycogen. Start slow and work up. Find things you enjoy doing. Riding a bike outside is ok to do, crosscountry skiing, rowing, skating, even walking at a good fast pace can do it. Find a partner. Makes a huge difference if you have someone to enjoy the time with and makes you more accountable. Make it a regular part of your life, you deserve it.
Take a good look at your diet too. I do not believe in fad diets at all!! But if you cut your portion sizes, eliminate all trans fats and keep saturated fats to a minimum, eat whole grain carbs and eat several small meals a day, you WILL loose weight! And keep it off.
I know that being this fit has helped me recover from my surgery this fast. And it will help these new hips last longer. I have started to slowly up my exercise program. I still do all my hip PT, but also do it in the water. I am walking everyday up to 45 min. I am in the pool 2-3 days/week doing both PT and water running. I am going to start on the bike and eliptical next week. I have been doing my upper body weights.
I guess the main thing I have to say however is that if I could do it, anyone can. You just have to get your head in the right place and put yourself at the top of your list. You will be doing the best thing for you and all those who love you.
Been there! Since I have been through the weight gain with age and family and stuff and been able to come out the other side maybe I can give you a few ideas.
Although short, I am big boned and have always been muscular. My work kept me pretty strong, but, man, the pounds slowly crept up as I had kids and my metablolism slowed down and appetite did not!
It did take a big life change which included a long over due divorce to make me take stock of myself. I think the biggest change was putting myself at the top of my care list and starting to care about myself again. My biggest change was changing my eating habits to smaller portions and trying to eat healthier foods. I lost nearly 50 lbs in a year that way.
Then I met the guy that really changed my life and rocked my world! Believe it or not we met online:). He was into fittness, something I really hadn't gotten into. When we met I was happy to be a pretty good looking size 10. However, within about 6 weeks of starting to run and work out with Jerry, I only lost about 10 more pounds but went to a size 4!! I still weigh 130 lbs, but it is all muscle, no fat. I have maintained 130+-, 11-15% body fat for over 3 years now. And eat like a horse, but extremely healthy. Jerry does most the cooking!
You may say you can't exercise that much. When I met Jerry, I couldn't run for more than 10 min without being completely out of breath. He brought me along in baby steps, adding 2-5 min a week so that I almost didn't notice the difference. He added in other fun crosstraining activities like rollerblading. He taught me to lift weights. I swear, I could see my body metamorph before my eyes. Just before my hips really gave out, I had raced a good 1/2 marathon and was in training for a full marathon. I could run at a good pace for about 3 hrs. (And all my doctors said it was not the running that ruined my hips, they were shot long before I started running)
BUT IT HAS TO BE DONE IN BABY STEPS!! My mantra when I was learning to run was "One telephone pole at a time"
When the arthritis curtailed my running I was so worried about my fittness and weight. But so far, I have not gained any weight and my fat is still only about 15-16%.
The one thing that helped me the most was finding cardio that I could do without hurting my joints. That is what you will need too. Swimming is good, but I found pool running to be way better! You need a special vest called an aqua jogger, or you can do it with a pool noodle to get started. You actually run in deep water. There are several variations to keep it a little interesting, but you get your heart rate up there good. I also do all my PT moves in the water since it adds resistance.
If you can get to a gym, use the eliptical machine and the recumbant bikes, they are real easy on your joints and give you a kick a** cardio workout. Learn to lift weights, they help maintain your bone strenght and build muscle that burns fat.
All exercise will help burn calories which is a biggie, but the only way to burn fat, is to do cardio type workouts where you get your heart rate up for at least 30 min. After about 30 min, you are burning mostly fat, before that you are burning glycogen. Start slow and work up. Find things you enjoy doing. Riding a bike outside is ok to do, crosscountry skiing, rowing, skating, even walking at a good fast pace can do it. Find a partner. Makes a huge difference if you have someone to enjoy the time with and makes you more accountable. Make it a regular part of your life, you deserve it.
Take a good look at your diet too. I do not believe in fad diets at all!! But if you cut your portion sizes, eliminate all trans fats and keep saturated fats to a minimum, eat whole grain carbs and eat several small meals a day, you WILL loose weight! And keep it off.
I know that being this fit has helped me recover from my surgery this fast. And it will help these new hips last longer. I have started to slowly up my exercise program. I still do all my hip PT, but also do it in the water. I am walking everyday up to 45 min. I am in the pool 2-3 days/week doing both PT and water running. I am going to start on the bike and eliptical next week. I have been doing my upper body weights.
I guess the main thing I have to say however is that if I could do it, anyone can. You just have to get your head in the right place and put yourself at the top of your list. You will be doing the best thing for you and all those who love you.
Ripanco
06-24-2005, 01:25 PM
PS: Happy Birthday!!
MrsLinda
06-26-2005, 03:34 PM
Ripanco - thanks for the reply and birthday wishes!!
The water exercises are out cause there are no pools or programs for people with Arthritis. I may contact the Arthritis Foundation to see if in Manhattan there are any such places.
I think right now my only option is the walking. I will try to walk normally at first, then each time increase the pace. I joined Weight Watchers so I've got the eating undercontrol. What really upsets me is prior to the surgery I had lost a significient amount of weight. Over this past year it's slowly been put back on. :nono:
The water exercises are out cause there are no pools or programs for people with Arthritis. I may contact the Arthritis Foundation to see if in Manhattan there are any such places.
I think right now my only option is the walking. I will try to walk normally at first, then each time increase the pace. I joined Weight Watchers so I've got the eating undercontrol. What really upsets me is prior to the surgery I had lost a significient amount of weight. Over this past year it's slowly been put back on. :nono:
hipster sister
07-07-2005, 11:46 AM
I wanted to jump in on this one, MrsLinda, because I can relate to feeling limited when it comes to exercising and frustrated with a weight challenge as well. I gained weight after my hip surgery (last December), which was due to that deadly combo of overeating and little movement. I do not weigh myself, but I know it's significant because none of my clothes fit.
Besides walking and swimming, I was told the stationery bikes, cycling about outdoors and the eliptical machine are all fine. I went to see an orthopod for help with muscle soreness in my quads and lower back that just won't quit. While there, I asked about exercise do's & don'ts. I would like to return to rollerbalding but will wait 'til next year. The surgeon & his PA would only endorse those movements mentioned above. I was told downhill skiing is ok too, as long as you don't fall! Yeah, right! Also worth mentioning is they both suggested that this constant soreness could be due to retraining muscles to learn how to walk again after surgery. The plan is to wait another 3 months to see if the soreness subsides. My personal plan is to get out and walk 30 minutes every day and use my kickboard in my little pool when the temperature warrants.
Hope this helps.
Besides walking and swimming, I was told the stationery bikes, cycling about outdoors and the eliptical machine are all fine. I went to see an orthopod for help with muscle soreness in my quads and lower back that just won't quit. While there, I asked about exercise do's & don'ts. I would like to return to rollerbalding but will wait 'til next year. The surgeon & his PA would only endorse those movements mentioned above. I was told downhill skiing is ok too, as long as you don't fall! Yeah, right! Also worth mentioning is they both suggested that this constant soreness could be due to retraining muscles to learn how to walk again after surgery. The plan is to wait another 3 months to see if the soreness subsides. My personal plan is to get out and walk 30 minutes every day and use my kickboard in my little pool when the temperature warrants.
Hope this helps.
MrsLinda
07-07-2005, 01:36 PM
Hi hipster sister! Thanks for the note. I've rejoined WW but I know that I need to move.
Can I ask you a question? What is an Orthopod? I'm still having some soreness in the flexor muscle especially when I initiate any "upwards" movement with the THR leg. My Surgeon has been telling me that the implant is perfect and he's pretty sure it muscular. Well hello...it's been almost a year and I still can't go up stairs without some discomfort, which at times borders on pure pain!
Back to exercise :) I walk whenever possible. No pool here but on occasion I do have access to one. What do you do in the pool may I ask? I'm really limited unless I join a gym. Hummm....I do know of one where you can pay as you go....I have an idea!! Hey thanks!!! :D
Can I ask you a question? What is an Orthopod? I'm still having some soreness in the flexor muscle especially when I initiate any "upwards" movement with the THR leg. My Surgeon has been telling me that the implant is perfect and he's pretty sure it muscular. Well hello...it's been almost a year and I still can't go up stairs without some discomfort, which at times borders on pure pain!
Back to exercise :) I walk whenever possible. No pool here but on occasion I do have access to one. What do you do in the pool may I ask? I'm really limited unless I join a gym. Hummm....I do know of one where you can pay as you go....I have an idea!! Hey thanks!!! :D
Ripanco
07-07-2005, 06:18 PM
Hey Linda,
Ripanco
07-07-2005, 06:53 PM
Opps, there I go again!!! I gotta stop hitting the enter key!!
Anyhow, I just had an idea. If you can go to a gym, go to one that has a fitness or personal trainer. Most gyms have one, and in Manhatten there should be a ton of them. I would try to get a reference from your PT or OS cause some trainers are way better than others of course.
However, you can meet with a personal trainer just a few times, they can evaluate your leg and give you the right exercises to stretch and strengthen whichever muscle is not working right. And yes, most gyms let you pay by the visit, although it is more expensive. Look around tho. We live in a small rural town, but we found that the local Best Western offered a day pass, 10 visits for $50.00, and we can uses all the fitness facilities. They have a small gym with treadmills, elipiticals, recumbent bikes, a rower and some fitness machines as well as a great pool, hot tub and sauna!
I had lots of trouble with my hip flexors before my surgery that a PT helped me work on. It was a combination of muscle, tendons and ligaments. Right now, my left leg is not as good going up stairs as my right. I think it is cause of the second surgery on the left leg that has left it a little behind the right. So I am in your boat some, having to work the bad leg more.
Pool work would be good for your leg I think. You can do the same exercises you already do for your leg, but in chest deep water. There is more resistance in the water, so you are working harder, but you do not feel it since there is no impact and the water supports you. There is a really good book called 'Heal Your Hips-How to Prevent Hip Surgery and what to do if you need it'. Written by Robert Klapper, MD and Lynda Huey. It has a great section on aqua therapy.
How about a YMCA? They often have aqua therapy classes. Check with your insurance too. Ours covers physical therapy visits and that includes aqua therapy with a qualified trainer.
Congrats on WW too! Good way to go!
Anyhow, I just had an idea. If you can go to a gym, go to one that has a fitness or personal trainer. Most gyms have one, and in Manhatten there should be a ton of them. I would try to get a reference from your PT or OS cause some trainers are way better than others of course.
However, you can meet with a personal trainer just a few times, they can evaluate your leg and give you the right exercises to stretch and strengthen whichever muscle is not working right. And yes, most gyms let you pay by the visit, although it is more expensive. Look around tho. We live in a small rural town, but we found that the local Best Western offered a day pass, 10 visits for $50.00, and we can uses all the fitness facilities. They have a small gym with treadmills, elipiticals, recumbent bikes, a rower and some fitness machines as well as a great pool, hot tub and sauna!
I had lots of trouble with my hip flexors before my surgery that a PT helped me work on. It was a combination of muscle, tendons and ligaments. Right now, my left leg is not as good going up stairs as my right. I think it is cause of the second surgery on the left leg that has left it a little behind the right. So I am in your boat some, having to work the bad leg more.
Pool work would be good for your leg I think. You can do the same exercises you already do for your leg, but in chest deep water. There is more resistance in the water, so you are working harder, but you do not feel it since there is no impact and the water supports you. There is a really good book called 'Heal Your Hips-How to Prevent Hip Surgery and what to do if you need it'. Written by Robert Klapper, MD and Lynda Huey. It has a great section on aqua therapy.
How about a YMCA? They often have aqua therapy classes. Check with your insurance too. Ours covers physical therapy visits and that includes aqua therapy with a qualified trainer.
Congrats on WW too! Good way to go!
hip2it
07-10-2005, 10:33 AM
Hello again...
MrsLinda - what machines or weights or bands or what not do you have access to? I am a coach for something called the 'ultimate body challenge' that we do at our karate studio. There are three components to the equation. Muscle strengthening, Cardio and diet. We don't do fad diets whatsoever. If you do no-carb or low-carb you can't workout anyway so it doesn't really help. Basically it works by eating 6 small meals a day with one protein and one carb at each meal. In the past year I had lost 35 pounds on this. Since the surgery I have put 15 back on :nono: I have not been able to get back to the working out very much and that triggered bad eating again as well. But, I have just got to get back to it. I did it so good (and that was with all the hip pain I had before the surgery).
Let me know what types of exercise you like and what you have access to and maybe I can help...
MrsLinda - what machines or weights or bands or what not do you have access to? I am a coach for something called the 'ultimate body challenge' that we do at our karate studio. There are three components to the equation. Muscle strengthening, Cardio and diet. We don't do fad diets whatsoever. If you do no-carb or low-carb you can't workout anyway so it doesn't really help. Basically it works by eating 6 small meals a day with one protein and one carb at each meal. In the past year I had lost 35 pounds on this. Since the surgery I have put 15 back on :nono: I have not been able to get back to the working out very much and that triggered bad eating again as well. But, I have just got to get back to it. I did it so good (and that was with all the hip pain I had before the surgery).
Let me know what types of exercise you like and what you have access to and maybe I can help...
MrsLinda
07-10-2005, 02:58 PM
hip2it - nice seeing you! :) I don't have access to machines except a manual treadmill. I have those flex bands in red, green and blue. I've joined Weight Watchers so my meals are balanced. I have free weights, 2lbs, 5lbs and up. I want to stregthen, tone and loose weight. I've lost 3 pounds in 2 weeks to that's a start.
I'm also working on this hip muscle (flexor) on my own. But we'll see....
Any advice you can offer will be appreciated. Thanks Chris and belated Happy Birthday! Yesterday was my Mother's also. She would have been 81!! Hope you enjoyed your day!!
I'm also working on this hip muscle (flexor) on my own. But we'll see....
Any advice you can offer will be appreciated. Thanks Chris and belated Happy Birthday! Yesterday was my Mother's also. She would have been 81!! Hope you enjoyed your day!!
hip2it
07-10-2005, 03:32 PM
MrsLinda - you told me what you have but not what you like to do. It's important to do something that appeals to you. I find that being at a studio where there are others sweating with me is very comforting. I used to exercise on my own but now get better results when I have others around. Seeing as you are so involved in these posts I would bet that you are good with others as well, but I don't know.
You can do basic squats with the bands for the resistance part. Also going up and down stairs (slowly) is good exercise as well. Only do these every 2 or 3 days so that your body has time to recover. For the cardio you can walk (semi fast) on the treadmill or get outside and walk. I liked doing kickboxing but that is too much twisting still. Something that you can focus on your form and doing it without pain (while stretching the area). Aim for 2-3 days of resistance and 3 days of cardio at first. For now, I would always schedule time to stretch good afterwards. That is where I get the most benefit. After the workout I feel absolutely fantastic (until a little later when it stiffens up). I also try to stretch during the day if I can.
Here are my favorite stretches:
1) Kneel on one knee, the other leg on the floor. Make sure that the knee on the leg on the floor does not go past your toes or it will put too much stress on the knee. Then put your hands on your hips, look up to the ceiling and push your hips down toward the floor. This really helps stretch the hip area.
2) This one is called 'chair position'. Stand up with your feet together. Reach your rear back like you are reaching a chair and with your arms in front of you (palms toward each other, shoulder width apart), reach towards the ceiling. This should be at about a 45 degree angle (not straight up). Your back should be straight so that there is a straight line from your rear to your fingertips.
3) Cobra position. Lie on your stomach. Put your hands right under your shoulders and push making sure your hips stay on the floor and your back is not too steeply arched. This stretches the stomach muscles and hip flexors. I can only get my body up a little bit because I am still so stiff.
4) Cat-back. On the floor get on your hands and knees. With your fingertips still on the floor arch your back like a cat. Bring your stomach up and into the spine and really stretch between your shoulders. This feels good on my back.
5) This is a new one that really seems to loosen up the hips. You can do it sitting on an exercise ball or standing upright. I do it at the bus stop (I'm sure people think I'm crazy but it helps). With your hands on your hips slowly rotate them in a big circle trying to relax the muscles in the joint. Go a few times in each direction...
Good luck... don't forget to write me what types of exercise you like to do!
You can do basic squats with the bands for the resistance part. Also going up and down stairs (slowly) is good exercise as well. Only do these every 2 or 3 days so that your body has time to recover. For the cardio you can walk (semi fast) on the treadmill or get outside and walk. I liked doing kickboxing but that is too much twisting still. Something that you can focus on your form and doing it without pain (while stretching the area). Aim for 2-3 days of resistance and 3 days of cardio at first. For now, I would always schedule time to stretch good afterwards. That is where I get the most benefit. After the workout I feel absolutely fantastic (until a little later when it stiffens up). I also try to stretch during the day if I can.
Here are my favorite stretches:
1) Kneel on one knee, the other leg on the floor. Make sure that the knee on the leg on the floor does not go past your toes or it will put too much stress on the knee. Then put your hands on your hips, look up to the ceiling and push your hips down toward the floor. This really helps stretch the hip area.
2) This one is called 'chair position'. Stand up with your feet together. Reach your rear back like you are reaching a chair and with your arms in front of you (palms toward each other, shoulder width apart), reach towards the ceiling. This should be at about a 45 degree angle (not straight up). Your back should be straight so that there is a straight line from your rear to your fingertips.
3) Cobra position. Lie on your stomach. Put your hands right under your shoulders and push making sure your hips stay on the floor and your back is not too steeply arched. This stretches the stomach muscles and hip flexors. I can only get my body up a little bit because I am still so stiff.
4) Cat-back. On the floor get on your hands and knees. With your fingertips still on the floor arch your back like a cat. Bring your stomach up and into the spine and really stretch between your shoulders. This feels good on my back.
5) This is a new one that really seems to loosen up the hips. You can do it sitting on an exercise ball or standing upright. I do it at the bus stop (I'm sure people think I'm crazy but it helps). With your hands on your hips slowly rotate them in a big circle trying to relax the muscles in the joint. Go a few times in each direction...
Good luck... don't forget to write me what types of exercise you like to do!
MrsLinda
07-10-2005, 07:51 PM
hip2it - you want to know what exercises I like to do??? NONE, NADA, ZIPPO, SQUAT!!! How's that????? :rolleyes:
Actually, all kidding aside...I've never been an exercise person so I really don't know what I like. I've used free weights home with DH. I actually don't mind walking and lately walk to stores etc. when possible.
Ok..your stretches. I have no problem understanding "the chair, cobra and cat-back". But the one you do at the bus stop...the motion you're trying to achieve...is it like a hula-hoop? I can't picture that one. And also the first one. "Kneel on one knee, the other leg on the floor". Do you mean..."get on one knee and with the other leg keep the foot on the floor as if you were proposing???
Actual exercises - I have stairs directly across from my apartment. This is an area where I have problems to begin with. Going up causes "pulling and slight pain" in the flexor muscle of the THR hip. Going down isn't as bad but there is "pulling". I think I'll begin there.
What else would you like to know????? I have a home in the Pocono's....you're in Pittsburg.....how long would we have to drive to meet in the middle somewhere???????? :D
Actually, all kidding aside...I've never been an exercise person so I really don't know what I like. I've used free weights home with DH. I actually don't mind walking and lately walk to stores etc. when possible.
Ok..your stretches. I have no problem understanding "the chair, cobra and cat-back". But the one you do at the bus stop...the motion you're trying to achieve...is it like a hula-hoop? I can't picture that one. And also the first one. "Kneel on one knee, the other leg on the floor". Do you mean..."get on one knee and with the other leg keep the foot on the floor as if you were proposing???
Actual exercises - I have stairs directly across from my apartment. This is an area where I have problems to begin with. Going up causes "pulling and slight pain" in the flexor muscle of the THR hip. Going down isn't as bad but there is "pulling". I think I'll begin there.
What else would you like to know????? I have a home in the Pocono's....you're in Pittsburg.....how long would we have to drive to meet in the middle somewhere???????? :D
MrsLinda
07-14-2005, 09:12 AM
hip2it - there seems to be a missing post here. I remember you sending me more information on the stretches and telling me you live in Pittsburgh. It's not here. I wanted to review it again and now I can't find it at all. Do you remember what you typed???? I remember you telling me about the "proposing" stretch and that we basically lived too far from eachother (actually I knew that; I was teasing you. But it would be nice to meet someday) and that's about all I remember. This is too weird.
I did some of the stretches; they did feel good. I'm a little nervous about the "proposing" one. I have just recently begun to "trust" the new hip. My "other hip" isn't all that great so I do that particular exercise in the bathroom. I hold onto the towel bar/ vanity go to down and then when I come up holding them helps.
Really weird about the post; any ideas??? Have a good day...Linda
I did some of the stretches; they did feel good. I'm a little nervous about the "proposing" one. I have just recently begun to "trust" the new hip. My "other hip" isn't all that great so I do that particular exercise in the bathroom. I hold onto the towel bar/ vanity go to down and then when I come up holding them helps.
Really weird about the post; any ideas??? Have a good day...Linda
hip2it
07-24-2005, 11:04 AM
I was wondering if I just imagined writing that one too... I took all that time to write it and then I went in a day or two later and it was gone (was it something I said???)
Anyway, I'll try it again.
The 'proposing' one is good to stretch the upper thigh on the leg that is kneeling on the floor. You press your hips down and forward as you are in the pose. If you get more flexible you can even reach back and grab the ankle of the leg that is kneeling for a little more stretch. It's hard to explain but I think you get the idea.
The other one is more like a hula hoop action. When I had the arthritic hip I would gently roll my hips to try to see just where in the circle motion the pain is. I was trying to visualize the bone spur and what was physically happening in the joint. Now, it's a smooth easy transition all the way around (actually it's even easier than my other, real joint). But, I can feel tiny muscles that are stretched in certain positions around the circle. So, I try to gently stretch them a little all the time. It takes quite a while but I am seeing quite a bit more improvement as they get more flexible. I am just guessing with you, but it sounds like you have some little muscles that are at a different strength level than the others. If you can key in on them and try to stimulate them by stretching it may just help. This is all theory on my part (I probably think too much about all this but that's the way I am). It certainly can't hurt to try.
I have been doing quite well with all the stretching and exercising. Somehow the 7 month mark was hit and all of a sudden my muscles said.. let's get going again! :)
Here's another question for you... I just had my period and it seems that the joint gets especially sore during that time. Am I just imagining it? Anyone else get this? I wonder since I have two screws in the socket if they are irritating the ovaries or something during that time of month?
So, how are your exercises going? Have you had any luck losing weight? I'm not losing right now and I'm getting frantic but it will come eventually. The test I am taking is on Tuesday and after that I can get my life back together. I have Monday off work (to study) and Tuesday morning is the test.
Well, gotta go for now... keep exercising, stretching and eating right :wave:
Anyway, I'll try it again.
The 'proposing' one is good to stretch the upper thigh on the leg that is kneeling on the floor. You press your hips down and forward as you are in the pose. If you get more flexible you can even reach back and grab the ankle of the leg that is kneeling for a little more stretch. It's hard to explain but I think you get the idea.
The other one is more like a hula hoop action. When I had the arthritic hip I would gently roll my hips to try to see just where in the circle motion the pain is. I was trying to visualize the bone spur and what was physically happening in the joint. Now, it's a smooth easy transition all the way around (actually it's even easier than my other, real joint). But, I can feel tiny muscles that are stretched in certain positions around the circle. So, I try to gently stretch them a little all the time. It takes quite a while but I am seeing quite a bit more improvement as they get more flexible. I am just guessing with you, but it sounds like you have some little muscles that are at a different strength level than the others. If you can key in on them and try to stimulate them by stretching it may just help. This is all theory on my part (I probably think too much about all this but that's the way I am). It certainly can't hurt to try.
I have been doing quite well with all the stretching and exercising. Somehow the 7 month mark was hit and all of a sudden my muscles said.. let's get going again! :)
Here's another question for you... I just had my period and it seems that the joint gets especially sore during that time. Am I just imagining it? Anyone else get this? I wonder since I have two screws in the socket if they are irritating the ovaries or something during that time of month?
So, how are your exercises going? Have you had any luck losing weight? I'm not losing right now and I'm getting frantic but it will come eventually. The test I am taking is on Tuesday and after that I can get my life back together. I have Monday off work (to study) and Tuesday morning is the test.
Well, gotta go for now... keep exercising, stretching and eating right :wave:
MrsLinda
07-24-2005, 11:38 AM
hip2it - Hi there; good to see you!!! I've lost 5 pounds since July 1 with the dieting and exercising. The stretches are good ones; but unfortunately I had to resort back to my meds this week. We've had such high humidity that I was very stiff and achy. I envy you with the range of mobility you got back. While I can walk well, I still can't step up and over something without some sort of discomfort/pain. But hey...it's still alot better than before. Post have been deleted from the board left and right here. The bio post is gone as is another one about leg legnths. I don't know what's going on. But as far as the period goes; can't help there anymore! :) Mine stopped last year. Gotta run...talk to you later...out to get a new A/C!!