LynnCS wrote:Hi push-ups club. I've been spending the last 6 weeks in a rehab facility with a broken ankle. Yesterday I got the cast cut off and got issued a "Space Boot." It's a big challenge, but am glad things are healing. Now the big deal is learning to walk again and climb stairs.
So last night I did push ups while sitting in the wheel chair, on the edge of the bed. Believe it or not,it was hard, but good to do, no matter what. Rehab is working on my walking, but I have a couple light weights and Therabands in the room and did a lot of strength training also in the room last night.
I didn't count the push-ups, but wanted to check back in and be present. I'll keep posting so I don't give up again. Don't need to get depressed through all this and talking with you all and hearing your progress is so needed and appreciated. What I'm doing isn't much, but I was only doing wall and counter top pushies before. Still I need to be part of this in order to recognize progress of any kind. Thanks for being there and sharing your ups and downs...lol!
.
Wow, very serious injury. Especially in that it puts you out of commission for such a long period of time at age 75.
That is exactly the kind of setback I was talking about as to why many seniors just fall off the fitness wagon.
Even my short flu + cold for a couple weeks put me into a vulnerable place where it would be easy to not re-start.
I think you need a long term outlook so that even the micro-improvements will be noticed and from which you can gain motivation for the goal way out in the distance.
I use a simple cheap calendar dedicated to only exercise. A month a page. Then I choose a few exercise markers for progress.
So when I do my push ups I mark down how many of each type and the total.
You could mark down those from the chair, then later, those against a wall, then perhaps against a few stairs or a couch.
Then eventually girl push ups and way down the road perhaps few full standard push ups.
You can even mix a few of several types into the same day.
The key is something where you can view and draw inspiration from even very gradual steps.
I do that then look back through the pages and even years to see where I was.
Also the calendar can be a visual reminder when we've let a few too many days go by between sessions.
I do this kind of calendar marking for my push ups, other floor exercises, and also for my bike riding, with times at each of 5 points in my route.
Since I exercise on my own, this is how I draw motivation and it gives me the feedback to keep improving.
I also make yellow highlights of any special days where I do well or pass a milestone in progress.
Then as I flip back I can see those points.
For your situation you'll be starting at such a low level that only your own progress steps will make much sense.
You won't find much satisfaction in many of the charts and such where folks won't have begun from such a handicapped level.
So you'll have to make your own victory advances for several months.
I'd guess that 9 months to 12 months out you can feel good about your progress even if it isn't that of those who have been doing so for years or who are much younger.
Lastly I would suspect that you can not only get back to normal but eventually do far more than the average person your age.
Surprise your doctor some day by getting down on the floor and doing 10 push ups.
Heck, as I indicated in the videos I chose, I am most impressed by those seniors who can get down on the ground and up to standing with the most ease. Like that 100 year old man in the video.
So find a motivator of some type and begin the long journey.
Not sure how you broke your ankle. Falls are most serious for all of us as we age. Those in Asia seem to find stability in doing Tai Chi. I'm sure one can do similar exercise without doing a formal course.
Micro steps to your goals will get you back and beyond just plain average results for your age.
I think the same thing about eating and weight loss, but everyone is so focused on big numbers each month.
Keep letting us know about your small improvements.
But I have decided that I want to attempt the 1000 push up challenge, so I decided to start with knee push ups and switch to regular once I build up my strength a bit.
