Tips for exercise
Hi I just wanted to share some tips I picked up for exercising. When the adverts are on the tv I sit upright and practice the leg raises gently lifting one leg up and out then the other leg, trying to beat my previous score. Holding the leg out for 5 seconds (or as long as you feel comfortable. Another tip I find helpful is marching on the spot when waiting for the kettle to boil, if unsteady hold onto the work surface for balance. If you peg out your washing that is classified as good cardio as your vending and stretching. Its handy to jot down how long you march on the spot for and how many leg raises you manage as you can see your achievements build up.
Hi Deborah, and thanks for posting these tips, with examples of how you successfully are able to do some form of exercising. Your idea to try to incorporate the exercising movement into routine activities is a good one. Also, keeping a record of one's activities will facilitate tracking the trending of one's progress. I'm sure the doctor overseeing one's care will be very interested in hearing this sort of activity for their patients, too.
Keep up the good work!
Leon (site moderator)
I think any repetitive exercise is useful if we combine controlled breathing with the activity. I use weights (5 pounders, but I also have some 3 pounders) and do a few hundred varied movements each day. The goal is to keep my upper back and shoulders stronger. I also 'jiggle' them in my hands to strengthen my wrists.
That's useful for doing garden work. Try several different methods.
An inexpensive floor pedaler is a nice way to get your knees moving, though I don't think it's the same as walking for the hips.
Adapt as you will on the weights. There is no point hurting yourself!Hi JCUpdike, and thanks for joining in the conversation. We appreciate you lending your support and encouragement here. We also appreciate you sharing your own personal experience and the success you have doing these types of exercises and movements with the community.
Hopefully, others will read what you've had to say and think of some practical ideas they can put to good use.
We're grateful for your input and feedback.
All the best,
Leon (site moderator COPD.net)
Would be nice if these exercises were combined into a downloadable pdf document/book
Part of this relates to the person's overall health. And that is variable on so many levels, it's easy to say 'this will work' or 'do this' or 'try to do this' ... we all know what we need to do, and that's maintain our weight, eat better, exercise, breathe properly and avoid situations that exacerbate the problem.
But ya gotta keep your mind sharp too. Find places to be that let you relax and do things at your own pace.
Above all, it's been my experience that I need to find people I can trust to get me through the tough times. We have a COPD clinic at our hospital that is a place that we can go to talk to nurses, NPs and clinic staff who understand why we are there. Talking to smart people is always a good idea.
I also try to educate people around me about COPD and why they need to care about it because (as above) a lot more people have lung issues than we realize and CV-19 is going to make it worse.
Hi JCUpdike - Thank you for making those very valid points! Keeping the mind sharp and in tune is extremely important. It sounds like you've found some excellent ways to do that.
I wish everyone had a clinic such as you describe. I hope that many feel this site is a close second. We love to talk to people about their condition and give any suggestions we can. Between all of us we have many years of experience dealing with COPD and other health conditions.
Best,
Lyn (site moderator)
When I went through Pulmonary Rehab, 9 years ago, many of the patients came in that were dependent on walkers. After a couple weeks it was amazing to see them moving faster, and covering more ground. It wasn't unusual to see beginners needing oxygen when beginning to walk in rehab. They looked scared, and unhappy. It was inspiring to see them gain self-confidence. It was slow, but steady.
