As a mature adult with dual hip replacement, osteoarthritis, asthma, and Hashimoto’s disease, daily exercise is absolutely essential for my emotional, physical, and psychological health. By remaining active I can better manage pain, maintain a lean weight…this decreases pressure on my joints, helps me to sleep more soundly, and improves my mood. Since the spring weather here is Utah isn’t always the most friendly for outdoor activity (it’s snowing outside today, slipping and falling may cause me to dislocate a hip) and due to the current pandemic the gym I normally go to 5-6 days per week is closed temporarily so I must exercise at home. Daily fitness has been part of my routine for decades and if I do not exercise I feel awful. Consider exercise a gift to yourself.
Luckily, I have exercise equipment at home (free weights, Yoga mats, and a mini elliptical) and can easily access televised fitness programs and stream exercise videos. A copy of the 7 minute workout I tore from a magazine years ago is in my living room and is something I always pack in a suitcase when I travel. Here’s an excerpt from my book, Butternut to Bionic (Chapter 2, pg 34), sharing fitness suggestions for anyone…from post-operative patients to those who are very fit:
REMAIN ACTIVE
There are a number of activities to participate in even if you are very limited or are seated most of the time. Remember that even moderate to mild activity helps to manage stress, improves your cardiovascular health, and heightens immune function. Even minimal effort will increase your upper body strength and support your heart.
Consider incorporating a method from the list below to keep movement in your day:
Seated Yoga or Tai Chi
Isometric exercises, such as The Royal Canadian Air Force XBX Plan or Sit and Be Fit
Stretching routines like Classical Stretch
Walking, indoors or outdoors, is a simple and effective form of exercise. On stormy days I often just walk throughout my home and only walk outside when conditions are safe. Some might think that walking around your house is silly though I disagree. After my 2nd hip replacement and subsequent revision surgery I was on crutches for 18 weeks…indoor walking was one of the safest places for me to exercise during my recovery. Turn on the music, set your timer and get walking! Talk on the phone if it helps to distract you and pass the time as you walk. Visit my 3 Key Concepts page under the ‘Rest’ category to learn more about the restful benefits of daily moderate exercise and how over-exerting yourself has the opposite effect.
Stay Safe, Keep Active, & Be Well!
~Tiffany
