Not with it

This week has been a bad one in that I haven't done all of the exercise required in this program. It is my last week in my old house and I have felt like I can give myself a break.

Last night, however, was a "riser rehearsal" in the performing arts center. We were on the risers for over an hour, during which time I briefly leaned and "sat" on one of the bars behind me a few times. Mostly, though, I was standing like everybody else. The good news is that although it was uncomfortable I was not in much pain. Actually, I can't say I was in pain at all, just discomfort. That's distinctly different from the last time I had to do a riser rehearsal. I usually start feeling pain almost immediately and just do whatever I can to get through it, mostly by trying to focus on the music and exclude everything else.

We were fortunate that we were done earlier than usual. I was expecting a three-hour rehearsal, total, and was certainly not looking forward to it. But we got loose early because the orchestra had to rehearse a concerto.

pain

I may have turned a corner. I have noticed an overall decrease in pain in my knees, and the pain I've been getting in my right leg and hip has diminished as well. I feel like I can walk with less of a feeling of stiffness in my legs, although I still have some trouble with the rest of my body.

I think if I lose weight I will notice a huge difference.

Water, water everywhere

Today I tried out an aqua aerobics class. I wore my water socks because I remembered that the last time I had tried one of these classes I kept losing my balance. I figured those things would grip the floor of the pool better than my bare feet.

They did, but it still felt awkward to me. What's odd is that I cannot see, for the most part, what others are doing in the pool, and I can't usually follow the teacher with anything like a good rhythm. So I felt like I was flubbing a lot but couldn't really tell.

A lot of the moves also hurt my knees and that discouraged me. But by the end they felt okay, and I figure it may just be that they are needing to get used to stresses from different directions. It didn't feel like we were doing anything particularly aerobic, although the moves clearly were. Mild aerobic activity, I guess you'd call it. And that's not so different from walking.

In the last third of the class we used the "noodles" to do some kinds of strength training. I rather enjoyed that.

When the class was done I headed for the spa. It's a terrific one. The jets are strong, felt like wonderful fingers massaging me, and the water temperature is perfect. The spa is large enough for several people, and there do tend to be people in there a lot of the time. Maybe the next time I'll also hit the sauna or steam room. Might as well get full benefit of being there.

I think I will continue to do these classes about once a week, more maybe. That will fulfill one of my aerobic days. Perhaps these classes will also strengthen my arms a bit, which will benefit my swimming when I do that.

It's a change

The pain in my right leg and hip have overtaken, for the most part, pain in my left knee. I wonder if I have made enough of a difference in knee pain to have it take a back seat to pain I didn't even notice before, or noticed rarely.

Perhaps the program I am following works well for my knees but needs something extra for my hips. There is a section at the end of the book that makes recommendations on various types of arthritis and offers additional treatment for them. I will look to see if there are specific recommendations for what I am now experiencing.

Week 19

I am getting my glucosamine by mail from evitamins now, on a monthly basis. If you sign up for regular deliveries you get a little discount. Unfortunately, they don't have a version of ginger that I like, that I can include in that monthly delivery. That would save me trouble and postage.

My day off.

Exercise and arthritis

The doctor reporting on this study concludes that some exercise, even a type that is not recommended, is better for arthritis sufferers than none at all.

I have a friend who has had arthritis for a long time. He moved his head stiffly or not at all when I worked with him and one time he told me that he had seen a doctor about this stiffness.

"It hurts when I bend my neck," he told the doctor.

"Then don't bend it," answered the doc.

Terry thought that was great. A simple solution. Simple it is, but unfortunately not really the best advice. Finding a gentle way to move it and doing it often is a better way. However, if Terry is fine with the way he is I am not one to quibble.

Today I went back to the pool, to put in 30 minutes. I got in all of 11 laps, with several short breaks. It felt good to be there and to be done, later. I still don't love swimming. I believe, though, that it is one of the best things I can do for my body.

Week 18

Into week 18. I am having trouble staying committed. Days slip and I make the time up the next day. Last week I had so much pain in my hip I missed one day of walking.

Yesterday, though, I walked and it was okay. I still had some pain but it felt like it was easing.

Today I waited at the veterinarian's office, standing at the counter, and I noticed that I was not in pain standing there. I didn't even feel much of that discomfort, the tightness in my leg.

I actually started to imagine using some exercise videos again.