Whole Body Challenge Report May 8, 2020

It is encouraging to see my exercise log sheet getting checked off again. We are glad to have the SomaDerm Gel again!

Featured this week was my leg “firm up” of standing and moving my right leg side-to-side, and squats at the sink.

Most of my side-to-side moves are the right leg, because when I was paralyzed by the virus in my spine fluids back in 1950, it was the right size that was most affected.  My right side is therefore weaker.  The weakness on the right side affects walking, and, of course, using the gas pedal when driving.

I’ve maintained strength to do 3 sets of 5 leg lifts, and back to 20 reps on the leg press machine.

My weight is holding at 135 lbs, which is good.

Generally, I feel I am making transfers to and from the power chair more easily and with more confidence. 

Betty took a picture of me getting some sun out in our driveway.  Good to get some fresh air and vitamin D!

Whole Body Challenge report – 4/18

Finally got the Gel – it really made a difference for both Betty and me. It perked up my energy and ambition level, so I feel back in the game again.

Featured today was one of my upper body exercises, a lateral pull out with an elastic band. For the video I did 10 pulls, but usually I do isometric and just pull out and hold for 5-10 seconds. I have torn rotator cuff muscles, so the isometric is better for stabilizing the shoulder.

The leg press is progressing, as I add more pounds to the lift. I’ve started adding 6 pounds at this point.

The scale read 135 Lb; we’ll hope that will continue next week.

April 3 – Whole Body Challenge report

Today marks a full week that we have not had Gel. Our order has been delayed. I noticed the difference!   The edge has gone off my energy level, and I have to get psyched up more to exercise.

Squats were my leg strengthening exercise that Betty videoed today. Normally I do only a few to warm up. For today’s video I did 15, a new record high (My goal is 25 reps) Notice that I do squats with the legs going to, or almost to, 45 degrees!

Walking has slipped a bit to 180 Ft, which is still good. The leg press is good at 20 reps, and once I added 3 lbs to the weight I push.

My weight today was 134, which is encouraging to see that I have not lost any weight.

If you want to learn what the “Whole Body Challenge” is – or would like to join me in the Challenge – check it out.

https://www.wholebodychallenge.com

Whole Body Challenge report 3/29/20

Everyday is exercise day. I start with my upper body firm up to prepare for the more strenuous routines.

I am very pleased that I am walking a consistent 240 ft each day, and my weight is okay at 134 lbs.

Today, I did two sets of 20 reps on the leg press machine. I think the leg presses may be why my walking is better.

Since adding the KetpDay and KetoNight in our nutritional supplementation, I am sleeping longer without as many middle of the night waking periods.

Inch by inch we climb the mountain – it takes time and great effort, but the view at the top is worth it.   🙂

Whole Body Challenge report 3/19/20

Challenges are like mountain climbing.  There are peaks and valleys.  This week had both ups and downs. An exciting peak was to walk with the walker for 300 ft – it was a surprise!  I’ve been staying consistent at 180 ft, and for no good reason, it jumped to 100 yards, which is actually my final goal.

Remember my main goal is to gain muscle strength and mobility, and to be able to drive to the Convention in Orlando in August. We had to go out to the mobility equipment store because the lift in the car that loads my mobility scooter was slowing down. We learned that the motor in the lift is dying; no more lifts or motors are being made because our model of vehicle is no longer made, and our best option is to keep going until the motor quits. 

Please pray with us that the motor does not quit in Orlando!

The drive to Orlando is about 100 miles, and is supposed to take about 2 hours. The drive to the store and back was 25 miles, and my legs were very tired. That’s motivation to keep building strength!

Working to increase leg strength on my stepper!

If you are curious what the “Whole Body Challenge” is – or would like to join me in the Challenge – check it out.

https://www.wholebodychallenge.com

Second Month Challenge Report.

I am delighted to report that the scale showed I gained a pound, now up to 134 lbs! 

My major goal with the Challenge is to gain strength and mobility to drive and attend the NUL National Convention in August – a 2 1/2 hour drive.

Leg and abdominal strength are a key factor for driving the distance. 

Leg Lifts target abdominal  and thighs. 

Today’s leg lifts were 4 sets — 1 set of 10 reps, and 3 sets of 5, a new high in sets. 

I made 50 reps on the stepper, which is my other major leg strengthening exercise. I’ve increased the number of days doing the stepper.

Walking with the walker is improving! Five days of the last week I walked 180 Ft — thats 60 yards of my goal of 100 yards.  Hurrah! 

God is good and my support!

Check in next week for my next report.

If you are curious what the “Whole Body Challenge” is – or would like to join me in the Challenge – check it out. Big prizes

  https://www.wholebodychallenge.com

First Month Challenge Report:

As I start the second month of the Whole Body Challenge, I am pleased to see signs of progress toward my goals to gain strength and mobility, and to   walk further with the walker.

I weighed in at 133 lbs, which is where I was before. That is perfect, because I do not want to lose weight, I want to gain weight.

Everyday, I do an upper body warmup and firm-up to prepare for walking and the stress on arms and shoulders of getting on the leg lift tower. I press the ball in for isometric conditioning, and 10 reps with the 5lb dumbbell.

I am feeling a little more strength as I transfer to and from my power chair.

I am getting more days walking 180 ft with the walker. Also evidence of a little more strength was doing 10 squats and 50 reps on the stepper.

Today I was able to do 3 sets of leg lifts, one at 10 reps, and 2 at 5 reps – so gaining some strength there also.

If you are curious what the “Whole Body Challenge” is –  or would like to join me in the Challenge – check it out.   Big Prizes!

https://www.wholebodychallenge.com

#wholebodychallenge

The Weigh-in

I am 84 years old and starting the Whole Body Challenge.  I am dealing with residuals from encephalitis, a virus in the spine and brain wall fluids, that I had when I was 15.  The virus left me almost completely paralyzed and with muscle weakness and atrophy, muscle spasticity, loss of balance, and unequal muscle tension that gradually caused severe scoliosis.

The first challenge was the weigh-in.  Not having a scale, Betty went to Walmart and bought a digital scale.

Because I have a poor sense of balance,  I cannot stand or walk without holding on to something.  Holding on to the kitchen sink I stepped on the scale, and lifted my hands a little, but quickly.  The scale read: E  — for Error.

Multiple attempts all read: E    Betty got on the scale, and it worked fine.  Apparently I could not stand still enough to get a weight recorded.

We traded the scale with a friend who had a mechanical scale with a slightly bigger platform.  Hurrah, we got a reading, almost — I think.

The scale was too close to the sink for me to balance more than a couple of seconds, but did read 132 pounds.  Last week, we did a little better and got a reading of 133 pounds.  This week, February 20, we got the scale positioned where I could balance better, and we got another reading of 133 pounds.  Hurrah!

One of my Challenge goals is to GAIN weight, not lose weight,  so I’m off to a good start! 😃

If you are curious what the “Whole Body Challenge” is –  or would like to join me in the Challenge – check it out.   Big Prizes!

https://www.wholebodychallenge.com

#wholebodychalleng