for those with restricted opportunities for exercising

[Bach4K88]

Is an under desk bike pedal exerciser helpful?

[wobblybee]

🙂 I have this type of stepper, a friend has the type you mention and finds it easy to use.

Floor pedal exerciser

[Midori]

Possibly, but you would need to know how high it would bring your knees up under the desk, otherwise you could ens up with bruised knees!

Cheers, Midori

[Bach4K88 in reply to Midori]

Hi Midori,Thanks for your message. I have had new thoughts about buying this under desk exerciser. It's a waste of money. For me it is more effective to do bicycling type exercises in bed before getting up. I did this today. One must add resistance. I credit the dance lessons I had in my 30's with knowing the feeling of resistance. But the word resistance tells it, doesn't it. If you add resistance you can feel it in your muscles.

The motion of legs and feet is the same as using a device, if you add resistance. I recall what it felt like to pedal a bike, 70 years ago, and do the same lying down in bed. If one has ever ridden a bike you'll know what to do. I did know what to do. It does stimulate circulation in the legs and feet. I also find self massage of feet, ankles, calves helpful, probably necessary. Regular walking when the weather permits is the best thing to do for those who can.

As I cannot comfortably carry grocery shopping I always take my small shopping cart with me. I pull it behind me. It is a steadying for me. This is a very important, steadying device. I can walk without it, but feel much better (reassured) with it. Its size is 12" x 12" (approx 305mm) size, with a normal height. I never lean on it, never use it as a walker. But when I go out, I always take it with me. Even if it just carries my empty shopping bags.

Looking up exercises on YouTube I can't find anything as simple as what I have described. Especially balance exercises, I balance every step I take, it has become instinctive and necessary. But I am not afraid of falling. That is important too.

I feel very lucky, I very rarely have pain in my feet, or any pains. But I have to be very careful to watch where I step outside, so many sidewalks are broken or uneven. And, it is not easy for me to walk on a slanted or uneven surface. Also important is to wear shoes or boots that are securely close fitting. My ataxia is bi lateral - equal on both sides. It is evidenced by my feeling the floor or the ground moving - always.

As I am now 88 years old, with so many people younger than I, friends and relatives, have died. I truly credit this "luck" to healthy eating and a full spectrum of vitamins and supplements. This is easy to say, but it is immeasurably important.

Thanks for your interest.

Have a Happy New Year!

Beverley

(I am a female Beverley named by my father after a American Revolutionary War ancestor and his daughter Anne.)

P.S. I associate your beautiful name, Midori, with the wonderful Japanese American violinist, Midori Goto.

P.P.S. Why am I forgetting Qigong as a helpful treatment.

[Midori in reply to Bach4K88]

I'm actually a Brit, but the name Midori Is a tribute to a Japanese friend I had many years ago.

And Yes, I recommend Qigong and Tai Chi for suppling exercises. I'm 73.

Cheers, Midori