I was skeptical. Honestly, I wanted to prove to people that "working through the pain" doesn't really work for arthritis. Probably it was good for the rest of me, physically and psychologically, but certainly not my knees. Now I have to eat my words.
After our first session, we got a free pedometer from the ACC (not necessarily part of the Walk with Ease program). My goal was to reach 5,000 steps aka 2.5 miles. I did take Advil twice a day and I did walk every day. My knees were noticeable but didn't HURT.
While I was under the weather, I didn't walk for five days. My knees hurt when I did walk. But not as much as they used to. And I think they will continue to feel not so bad. Because I am building muscles! Another participant has had two knee replacements. BEFORE her surgeries, her doctor sent her to physical therapy to strengthen all her leg and knee muscles. Which made her recovery faster and easier. She is going to share the exercises with us.
I love that I continue to learn new things. Even when I'm skeptical. And guess what our slogan is? Sitting is the new smoking!
Before my first knee replacement (but not before my second) I did therapy to strength my legs, too, and it really did make a difference. Glad you're hanging in there with your walking. I am so hit and miss it isn't funny.
ReplyDeleteIf you ever want to walk and talk together, let me know. Almost like being right beside you!
DeleteThat slogan is absolutely fabulous, and so is your progress. I'd heard that walking was good for arthritic knees, but had trouble believing it, too. I've also heard that running does no damage to knees, and so far it hasn't for me, and I took it up again (age 61) last month. However, if I don't get good, deep tissue massages when my leg muscles are tight ( after hard exercise), then my knee area starts hurting. I do some stretching but stretching's a pain in the ass. Besides, massage gets my touch needs met : - ) I have no idea if deep tissue massage would help your arthritic knees, but it might help you feel on top of the world.
ReplyDeleteP.S. I hate sitting for more than a half hour. Which is why posting is so rare for me.
I have never had "hard exercise" in my life! But I do like the massage idea. There is a massage school on Maui and the students have to do so many hours of hands on ... $25/hour!
DeleteI wish I could convince my neighbor of this very thing!!! WAH--I want a Pedometer!!
ReplyDeleteMy pedometer was FREE. If not, there a lots that are less than $20. It really does encourage me to MOVE more ... without a real person nagging me!
DeleteGood on you for sticking with it. I walked this morning. I hate exercise, but I really need to get up and move more. Eat less/move more.
ReplyDeleteI'm exercise-phobic! But I admit it is working. Let's see if I keep it up when the rains start .... next week, they are predicting!
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