I just wanted to do a quick update to outline a few of my goals. Having this past week off to recover has left me with lots of time to think. :-)
I'm feeling a bit better - the medicine must be doing the trick. I have much less pain in my leg, so I have been up and about more the past couple of days.
I have a few points that I'm going to work on for this first phase of my "plan". Since I have been sick, I pretty much have to start at square 1 with exercise. I find this a bit frustrating, but what can you do?
So, without further ado, here is my basic plan for the next couple of months of my recovery:
1)Exercise. I need to start out with walking. I can only walk for about 15 minutes right now without being in pain. Not so good. I'm hoping to walk 2x a day for 15 minutes each time, increasing the time and speed as my leg allows. I'm planning on working up to 30 minutes, 2x a day. My dog Max will appreciate this new plan as well! I'm going to add in some weights and yoga as my doctor allows. I'll know more about what I can and can't do next week.
2)Stretching - I need to make a point of getting up from my desk at work once an hour to stretch and walk around. This is a MUST for my legs and avoiding future blood clots.
3)Food and portion size - this is a big one for me. I like healthy food, but often eat too much. I also enjoy junk food more than I should. So, watching portion size will be a big one. Also cutting down on "treats" and "snacks"... I've been doing a bit better in this area since I've been sick - I'm just not as interested in some of those foods anymore.
4)Planning ahead - this is also a big one for me. In order to avoid buying food out at lunch, I need to make sure there is something good for lunch that I can take to work. Scheduling my workouts will also be an important key to success for me. I need to make these things a habit.
5) Tracking - I don't really plan on weighing myself often, but I do want to keep track of my measurements, so if I get discouraged, that will help. I also have had success keep a little chart with Xs to mark completed workouts - looking at a little row of Xs after a tough week can help illustrate that your week was more successful than you maybe thought.
6) Riding - this one is a big question mark right now. Not sure if the Doc will allow it right away. I'm going to plead my case again with her on Tuesday - once I tell her that Rusty is 19 and very lazy, maybe she will change her mind. Even if I can ride 2x a week at a walk, it will be better than nothing! If I can't ride, I will plan to make it out to the barn 3x a week to longe and do some groundwork or something...!
Well, that is my plan for the next couple of months! I hope to refine it and do some more advanced things as my health improves. Have a great weekend everyone!
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5 comments:
Really glad you are on the mend Laura. That blood clot stuff is a scary thing.
Your goals are great and well planned! I like the tracking idea- never really thought about the satisfaction that comes from seeing- actually SEEING- your efforts!!
Instead of little X marks, get some cool stickers and use those!
Your plan sounds good. It's very important to get up and move around. Take your bits of exercise where you can. I have a friend who marches around the room during commercials on TV. It keeps her from running to the kitchen for a snack. Most commercial breaks are 2 minutes and those 2 minutes add up!
I have a system similar to your x's. I made a weekly "To Do" list and lately the very top line has 'exercise' and nothing else. After anything exercise related I put a mark there (eg T for treadmill C for going to Curves etc) Its nice to look back and see what I do :)
I think the Xs are a great idea. There is nothing better than seeing a calander all marked off with x's! Last year I bought a calander that had larger squares. I would actually color in the square with one color if I had met my food and exercise goals, one if I had just met my food goals and another if I had just exercised...that way the only way I didnt get something filled in was if I didnt do anything at all. Just another idea of how to stay motivated. Treat yourself to some fun stuff (like felts, stickers or a new note book).
Sounds like your plan is a winning one! Good job.
I like your plans, espcially the chart with the X's -- that may be just the trick I need to stick by the exercise plan. It looks like you are on the right track....
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