exercising like a(n elderly) boss…

I’ve been tai chi’ing like a grandma.

Wait…..let me back up.

As you may remember from a post earlier this year, my goal for 2013 is to find an exercise program that works for my illnesses. Exercise intolerance is a primary symptom of both dysautonomia and ME/CFS. Even the simplest exercises are very difficult.

Last summer I tried swimming therapy for exercise and really enjoyed it.  Because the hydrostatic pressure from the water promotes circulation, I actually feel fairly “normal” when in the pool.  However, after gaining a few pounds I no longer have a bathing suit that fits. I’ve also had a few nightmares lately where I’m diving down in a pool and I get so dizzy that I can’t tell which way is up (which happens occasionally) and I end up drowning. So, thus far this summer I have stayed out of the pool.

I’ve been going for regular rides on my stationary recumbent bike.  However, with time our muscles get used to the same exercises and the benefits of a workout can plateau.  I’m still trying to lose weight and tone my muscles (especially my legs so I can stand for longer periods of time), so I wanted to switch up my workout a little.

A few months ago, I tried doing some light walking. The first time I went for a walk I did just a quick 10 minute stroll around my neighborhood. I thought it went well, until I arrived back home and realized how tired I was. I climbed into my bed (sweaty walking clothes and all) and passed out for the next 5 hours.

I continued walking at a slower pace for shorter time, slowly increasing with each passing week, but wasn’t progressing as fast as I’d like. I would regularly see a group of senior ladies walking and wanted to ask if I could join them, but they were way out of my league.

But then it hit me….senior exercises! I have more in common with my grandmother these days than I do with people my own age, and I’m clearly already exercising at a senior level (if I’m being generous), so why not??

For my birthday last week (you can skip the obligatory “happy birthday” comments) I got a couple of exercise dvd’s for seniors – yoga and tai chi – and gave them a try.  The workouts are tailored to promote balance and mobility at a slower, lighter pace, so they’re ideal for me. I am really enjoying the workouts, but those seniors are putting me to shame.  It’s a little embarrassing to have my ass handed to me by someone over twice my age.

Exercise is a big part of my life right now. I feel like I spend a good part of my day trying to conserve enough energy so I can spend it all on a light work out that evening. The majority of my schedule revolves around exercising, as it’s the only thing I’ve found that helps with the muscular and joint pain I often get, and does affect my orthostatic intolerance.  It’s slow progress, for sure, but it is progress.

So now I have a new goal – the senior olympics. I figure if I start training now, I’ll rock those games when I finally become a senior.

Grandmas everywhere, you better watch out.

“You don’t stop laughing because you grow old; you grow old because you stop laughing.” – Michael Pritchard

Smell ya later.
Linds