SoCalPam's Journal, 14 July 2018

Good idea. I put my weights right next to my office chair. 

Good for you!!! I paid a pretty penny for my elliptical, then called in a major favor to have my two friends put it together, then i stepped around it for literally a decade. Now that i actually get on and pedal, it works much better! 

Yes, no excuses! My ex had a strength routine that was entirely body-weight, so no equipment needed at all - no excuses, good job! 

I had to start out slow but I eventually built up over the weeks. My changes levels and I increase those as I am ready. I either mindlessly read a book or watch TV. It really helps once you get into it. 

Thanks, all! I agree, driving around with it would raise a few eyebrows as well as make it impossible to accomplish my goals. Before my knees gave out I was walking an average of 13,000 steps a day. I was on my feet for work, then after dinner I'd go out walking with my neighbor and we'd yak and walk for at least an hour. I miss that! I can't walk much more than 40 minutes at one time, and that's at a fairly moderate level. My fear is that my knees will give out while I'm away from home (it's happened before) and I'll be stuck. With the exercise bike I'll be able to use it in a safe environment and hopefully build up to where I can walk again for periods of time. 

good on you for figuring out a way to get a workout.  

I just have to say, too, that for me, i do not like going to the gym. I have forced myself periodically over the years, and of course paid for a lot of time that i didn't go. So for me, figuring out exercise that i will do at home has been a game-changer. Also, my knees were really hurting when i first started and i think the elliptical has helped (also the weight loss, i assume). 

@socalpam, I just have to tell you that this brings a whole different level of dedication! Honestly, I'm not even sure how you managed to not damage it along the travel route. Congrats on getting it home safely.... GET TO WORK, DO IT NOW ! ;} Lots of new Netflix movies being released, so plenty of content to keep you from getting bored. I want pics of those toned legs and functionally fit knees when your up to it also.... (haha) Congrats on your friend giving it to you to help strengthen the knees. ....remember make things fun and enjoy it !  

Thanks, Wright2018! I have a friend who wants to come over and take turns with me. She's a problem solver: she figured out that whoever isn't on the bike can be holding the wine. It's why I love her. 

@socalpam, Glad you have such great friends....Important, as it seems like a fun group of supportive individuals. Just had a thought, you can wear a hydration pack on your back (filled with wine of choice) and workout at the same time (No not really)..... just don't make working out a chore, that is what makes people quit. Use caution with the knees, you don't want to end up in a situation like I have.... I do not wish anyone knee problems, I've learned the importance and severity of not taking care of them the hard way..... 

Don't knee problems suck??? I got on the bike a couple of times (making sure that dusting it all down and plugging it in counted as "housework") and realized that my thigh muscles have been on vacation way too long. I had just the last little bit of "The Princess Diaries" on TV, so I got on the bike and forced myself to peddle until it was over (just over 10 minutes). The bike seems to default to "level 3" so that's what I was on. It was tiring, but I really like having goals, so putting on a show and peddling through it will be good incentive for me.  

There may be an on screen button which says MANUAL ---push that and you can then enter your weight, time, or reset level typically....obviously depends on brand...Otherwise take a snapshot of screen so we can look at helping set it perhaps. Don't want you to get on and hurt your knees worse. Yes, knee problems suck.....I never thought I'd get issues like this, so I kept beating on them....now I'm dealing with the consequences... So I don't want you to get to my condition..... Keep me informed of your progression, its very exciting to see you doing it.... Proud 4 ya !  

I have a bicycle out in the screen room but they won't let me ride it at the air conditioned mall, but they do let me walk. No way I'll peddle my a$$ in this Florida summer heat/humidity/lightning storms, unless someone volunteers to ride next to me carrying a lightning rod, umbrella and pours ice water on me. 

WELL DONE! 

Yay I just got a treadmill also have kick scooter since I live by the beach so much fun compare heavy bike and walking 

I have a friend who is a Cross Fit fanatic. He works 60 hours a week, so he gets up at 4:30 so he can work out from 5:30-6:30 every morning. He has been after me to get involved with Cross Fit even as he's posting updates like "The WOD (Workout Of the Day) kicked my butt today". Uh, no thanks. If he's a regular and he's all beat up, I will die. Another friend's trainer has her flipping a tractor tire through the parking lot. Both of them have been pushing me, but neither understand PAIN. And I don't mean pain like you worked out too much and now you're all sore. I mean pain that's happened to you, suddenly, that you can't predict and didn't cause (at least on purpose). The tractor tire friend finally caught on when her rotator cuff fell apart and she had to have surgery. Uh, flipping tires much now? She now understands what it's like to be sidelined and have to work your way back to a place that might be close to where you were before. So... I used to be in a touring dance troupe. I grew up on the beaches of So Cal and spent my life riding my bike EVERYWHERE. I roller skated the 4 miles to the beach, body surfed all day, then skated home. This was normal. When I got married and had kids I took them rock climbing, to the beach, bike riding, etc. I did everything with them but I was also eating the same foods they were eating with a much slower metabolism. Then they got big enough to go off on their own and I started working as a professional organizer. Busy, busy, busy. Very physical. I also worked for Nabisco as a merchandiser and I was in and out of stores, up and down ladders, building displays, hauling crates of cookies around, coping with pallets of snack foods, so I was pretty fit. And then... the knees. I'm down 12 pounds from the last time I seriously started losing. I was at 185 at one point, but when I started this last journey I was at 171. This morning I was at 158. Losing the weight has been helping my knees quite a bit. I heard that for every extra pound you carry puts four pounds of pressure on your knees. I have a friend who's 300 pounds and has had two knee replacements yet hasn't lost any weight. She still has pain. Anyway, blah, blah, blah. I just felt chatty, LOL! Time to pedal a bit then hit the sack. Good night!  

that’s a good idea u did great! 

What causes your knee pain? I have osteoarthritis in both knees, missing areas of cartilage. Ten years ago I had "microfracture" on the left knee - worked quite well for me. I can walk, bike, and ski, in moderation.  

@SoCalPam - I do have to admit, after losing 30 lbs this year my knees no longer bother me... :) 

Every little bite helps in your goal to get fit. One day at a time.