It is important to set a Goal, but more important is to set interim Goals: this helps when there are set backs in your regime; this happened to me this past November;
In September I began walking again, after a long hot, humid summer; my son-in-law Paul works as a contract employee, as an IT consultant, and his latest contract had ended without another to take it's place; rather unusual in his experience, and indicative of the economic uncertainty we are all facing; so we began walking the dog, from 1 am to 2:45, on a regular route, but on occasions when Paul was off on interviews, I would vary the walk, and take longer; but as we walked I built up stamina, though I didn't loose weight, and the time at best was whittled down to 1 1/4 hours; at the same time I was also varying the weight I was carrying; it is a known fact that heavy people loose weight faster than people who weigh less; this is due to the work needed to carry the weight increasing the use of excess calories / fat; so I began at a comfortable 14 lbs and worked up to 30 lbs withing 5 weeks; this had the added benefit of putting stress on my legs and building up the stamina; however what I didn't realize, was that it was also putting a strain on the knees; and the good knee at that;
and that is where the setback has occurred; on November 4 after over 2 months of walking practically every day, in all weathers, I was taking out some compost to the bin, and when stepping off the driveway, onto the grass, and twisted the left knee; this it was a sprain, not a major break or muscle damage, so I set about dealing with it independent of the medical profession; I had noticed before this, that the knee was giving me some pain, arthritic I am suspecting, so it was did not come as a complete surprise; Rest, for 3 weeks and gentle usage for a week, and by the end of the month I was feeling at 90% with the odd ache; strength wise it is now even with the right leg for getting up the stairs; not perfect, but it brings me to the next step in my progress;
The Mini-Gym; this I have been working on for 11 months now, a bit at a time as I can find money and space; it sits in a corner of the kitchen and I do have a few pictures, incidental, not intentional, of it, as a by-product of taking pictures of other stuff; this January, I am hoping to have the funds to get it at a early stage of usability; with a 75% stage of usability by the end of Winter, March 28th; with first stage dealing with the leg, and progressing through to upper body and stomach; as I get different apparatus, I will photograph and post the progress, with explanations;
Some of these posts will be ongoing developments, as time and events warrant, which I will update and bump to the top of the list as I go along; so for now will end this one and get on with Chrimbo ;-) Cheers
Friday, December 16, 2011
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