exercise!

[blueeyes linda66]

I was a member of the OT site about 6-7 years ago. I was diagnosed out at Mayo in Rochester. My life was crap for many years. I could not even stand up to brush my teeth. I had computer chairs in every room where it was necessary for me to stand. We even remodeled the bathroom and put in a shower with a built in seat for me to shower. Just this past Jan. 08 I entered a Wellness contest in my county put on by the YMCA- The Daily Press and St. Francis, our local hospital. I was selected to be one of ten contestants. The contest lasted for 4 months. We had to weigh in every 2 weeks and keep a journal of our exercises. I went to water aroebics on Tues. and Thurs. The other 3 days I worked the machines and worked my way up to lifting weights. At first I had to use my walker to get from one machime to the next and in the water I had to hang on to the side of the pool to do aroebics. Now they are calling me the Miracle of the Y. I no longer need my walker at all. I have cut out my Beta Blocker meds completely. With my dr. consent. I have also cut my tremor meds in half. I am taking clonazepam. I was the first handicapped person to ever compete in this contest. My life is back to WONDERFUL again. I just painted every room in our house. Even get up on a ladder. I have also done wallpapering without any problems. I firmly believe and know for a fact that it was the exercise. I had a bad case of vertigo for a week and my tremors came back with a vengance. I know that if I want my life to contuine as it is that I can not give up one day of not doing any exercise. I also feel like it is a miracle for me. : I hope some of you out there get the chance to go to a Y and get a personal trainer for a few workouts that you may be blessed with the same results. Life is wonderful without those nasty tremors. Linda

[MikeS]

Hi
Sounds great Do you remember who you saw at the Mayo ? Where abouts are you so if there are other OT suffers near by they can sign up for this.
It good to hear something so positive
Regards
Mike

[Joan]

That is very interesting and something I have been wondering about. A Month ago I started Weight Watchers and so far have lost 5 pounds. I also started using 2 pound hand held weights for 20 minutes daily. I walk one hour a day ( I always have ) and I go on the excercise bike 10 minutes daily. I'm noticing that it's easier to stand in the shower and also to work in the kitchen. I never mentioned it because I thought it was a fluke and maybe it is, but wouldn't it be wonderful if it actually worked. If it isn't at least we'll all look good while we're shaking

[Angela]

Hi Everyone,
I've had OT for about 7 years! Have in legs and arms!! I am a firm believer on exercise,
It has helped me, I do spin classes 3-4 times a week and brisk walking in between and it seems to at least make me strong and really helps the depression that comes along with this disease! I have noticed when I don't do my workout for week or more , the tremors seem to worsen, at least for me!! Light weights for my arms are also helpful! Hope this helps everyone. I do not take medicine, don't like the way it makes me feel, and didn't really help! Made me so tired all the time. Good luck to you all! What helps me is to remind myself, I could have something terminal and not get to be with my family, kids, and grand kids, so it's just a difficult disease, not a death sentence!!!

[gloria]

Thank you Angela , indeed exercise is the key to keeping our bodies healthy and a means of fighting back at OT by feeling better mentally and physically. We also extend our mobility and independence. Love the independence part because that is one of the primary things I’m trying to preserve. True sometimes we get hit with a health issue that holds us back from our exercising but resuming it is most important although it might take time and patience but necessary. A little less than a month ago I had minor foot surgery. Because it involved my foot I was not able to put much pressure on it and already my legs feel unsteady. I intend to get back to my exercise routine as soon as possible , walking is the best part for me. Gloria