Too many balls to keep up!

[Beek]

I'm really struggling at the moment. I've been experiencing chest pain with only very moderate 'exercise' (walking 200 metres on level footpath) and I was referred to the cardiology clinic. Given beta blockers. Then had a slip on wet grass one dark rainy night and badly broke my ankle.

The following week I was called in to do a 'treadmill echocardiogram'. Big laugh out loud! Obviously that was not possible so they did one chemically induced. It shows there is furring between the two heart chambers and I am now on a waiting list for coronorary angioplasty. With the current NHS predicament I know that will be many months off.

The biggest problem I have is that I need to use the crutches because my balance is currently all over the place due to the heart, and my mobility is compromised because of the pain from the healing ankle. I've been discharged from the fracture clinic into the care of physiotherapists. Obviously they are not allowed to make face to face consultations and have given me access to the online exercise videos, which I am doing. But what suggestions has anyone got for keeping my weight down?

I'm currently carer for my husband who has was diagnosed last month with Alzheimers. His head is all over the place and I am struggling big time with comfort eating.

Just as an aside, the fracture clinic consultant has told me that I'm to keep away from karate kicking and river dancing. He says that I can get back to running 5k every other day like I used to two years ago!

[linda9389]

Oh my, you are having such a tough time right now. Yet here you are looking for exercises to help you control your weight. Much respect!

Not sure if you've seen them, but Caroline Jordan has a whole lot of 'hurt foot fitness' videos on Youtube. There are varying degrees of difficulty, cardio workouts, strength workouts etc. - all should be suitable for your ankle and are usually seated or mat based (lying down), but I guess you would have to check to see if they are at a level appropriate to your heart condition before starting any of them.

Wishing you all the best in your ankle recovery and surgery - but best of all in your journey back to 5k!

[Beek in reply to linda9389]

Thank you for your input here. I will look at the Youtube this afternoon. At the moment I've been give access to a set of online exercises for my ankle by the hospital physiotherapist. Once in the programme, I have to set a timer and tick which of the ten exercises I've done as well as indicating how difficult they were for me to perform. Then it shows me, in spreadsheet form, how I managed. It's an extremely useful tool for me and I am making small improvements already.

My intention from today is to add in the resistance training execrises that SimonKendrick suggested because I can see that I need to do some core toning work as well. The weights I have are not heavy enough really, but I will get more as soon as I can. Better a little than nothing at all!

I'm finding it helpful to keep my spirits up just doing what I can! I can see that we all need to look at our exercise routines at the moment. It's all too easy to become complacent!

EDIT: I've just had a look on my computer for Caroline Jordan videos and they look very interesting. I'm off downstairs to rearrange the furniture and I will do the sessions in front of the TV in the mornings. Start the day well!

[linda9389 in reply to Beek]

That sounds great. Small weights are definitely better than nothing, sometimes they're better anyway because you do the exercises properly rather than getting tired and losing form without realising. I like 'follow along' videos because you get lots of form tips as you go and lots of positive encouragement - it feels more like a class which helps motivate me 🙂

[SimonKendrick]

Hi Linda and sorry to hear you are going through quite an awful time in your life. You can exercise by using resistance training. If you have a dumbbell (or something that has weight to it like a full bag of sugar) lift these above your head and back down to your sides. Push them out in front of you and back to your chest. Do these until your arms start to ache. Rest and then repeat. In addition lay on your back and push these objects up into the air and back down again. Another one is whilst on your back lift the objects from the middle of your chest and stretch out your arms to the side and back to your chest again. Resistance training stretches and builds your muscles and at the same time burns calories. Trying to increase your metalbolism will help with burning calories. Give it a go and see how you get on. Try and get a weight that is comfortable to lift for 12 repeats, rest and repeat 3 - 5 times. Not too light though.

[Beek in reply to SimonKendrick]

Thank you for your tips, Simon. I do have small weights but they're only 1/2kg each (0.5kg). Is that enough weight, do you think?

[Beek in reply to Beek]

Sorry, Simon. I've just re-read your post and it says a full bag of sugar so mine are probably too small. I will look into increasing their weight by strapping something to the ends of them! They'll do for a couple of days until I can modify them.

[SimonKendrick in reply to Beek]

A little heavier if you can. Resistance exercising is good. Try n push yourself till your body aches the following day. That way you know its working.