HOMESTEADING AND PHYSICAL DISABILITIES

[Mini Horses]

FIRM believer in staying active ! I climb more gates than I open...simply for the activity, balance, variance of movement in doing so.

You are right, Beekissed -- best to do all you can, as long as you can to keep muscles working. Unfortunately, there are some who cannot do so anymore. But do if you can!!

@Lazy Gardener, my tractor allows me to do some things that would take two people, saves me time for some jobs (mowing), allows me to dig ditches with attachments rather than a shovel , grade, lift, pull. Really, better than many hired hands. No backtalk. It was bought for many years of use. Still physical to switch out attachments, etc. I find more uses every week...small stuff, load the front loader with tools, buckets, feed, posts...take to location in one trip, lift to load from truck, etc. I use it to put my window AC in and out...set in front loader, drive to window, line up, lift...go slide it in. No need to wait on help.

 

[Lazy Gardener]

Bee, the take away from your excellent post: keep moving. Move it or loose it.

I think working to keep core muscles strong, (not just legs and arms!) and focusing on balance is a great tool to maintain youth.

I do physical therapy for a living. I work with the geriatric population. Often with folks who have had severe strokes, and even quad or paraplegia. Even in patients with such severe disabilities, I can lay my hands on a patient, and within minutes, I KNOW what kind of life style they lived: active or sedentary. I can even tell who has dancing in their back ground! The body retains motor memory. Even when faced with old age and atrophy, that motor memory is still there!

So, even in my leisure time, I seek ways to challenge my core strength and balance. During the last few weeks, I've gone paddle boarding, kayaking, and beach walking, as well as battling the waves. Let me tell you: paddle boarding, and wave battle provide fantastic balance and core work outs. When I don't get to the water... I do basic balance work at home: single leg mini squats are great for challenging the balance, and adding leg strength.

Too busy to do single leg squats? Never! I work it into my routine. 2 minutes at the sink to brush my teeth = enough time to get in a good leg work out! I've even done mini single leg squats while standing at church singing!... Or simply stand on one leg!!!
Wanna get a real balance challenge? Try it with eyes closed! Never do a balance challenge unless you can do so safely, have something to grab onto, and are confident that you can do so without falling down (unless in the water).

If you can get to a pool or beach, that provides infinite opportunity for gentle strengthening in a gravity free environment (translation: easier on the joints) while providing fantastic resistance. (body movement against the water pressure)

 

[Mini Horses]

I've always loved to climb trees, ride a bike, ride a horse. Those can all still be done. Alas, I have to borrow a riding horse. Have considered buying another...maybe next yr. I also do flex stretching each morning, some squats/bends, etc. Loosens you up. KEEP it moving!! Use it or lose it.

Appreciate how water/pools can aid movement. Water is NOT where I want to be -- not my element. Love a trapeze.

 

[Beekissed]

LOVE the water....it's elemental for me and I probably should have been living near the ocean. Going swimming today, taking the grandgirls and DIL...taking a day off from work for exercise and play with those I love.

Mustn't forget that aspect....to me, working is FUN, but every once in awhile I have to partake in what others call fun too.

 

[Britesea]

I was sedentary most of my life, unfortunately... but the last several years I've been getting more active and I can really tell the difference in the way I feel, both physically and emotionally. Tai Chi has been invaluable for my balance and core.

 

[Lazy Gardener]

Even something as simple as a therapy ball to sit on can make a huge difference in your core strength and balance. If you're gonna sit to watch TV, or work at computer, choosing a therapy ball, or even a sensory balance cushion to sit on can make a huge difference.

 

[FarmerJamie]

I have been mentally chewing on this thread. Great comments and ideas.

This past weekend I was so sore after all the canning and was beat. The wife is slowly recovering from her heart attack, so my walking has really been scaled back. Another type of plan to consider

 

[Mini Horses]

There was an elderly woman not far from me, years back, who needed to walk a lot but lived in the country, alone, didn't want to be on the little roads. So -- she walked the perimeter of her property lot!! They measured the distance and established # of times she needed to walk that lot for a mile. She walked every morning -- eventually, wore a path!!

Consider that. Or a treadmill from a 2nd hand store?

 

[Beekissed]

Or work on core strength in other ways for now....like planking, dance fit videos on YT, a mini trampoline, etc.

 

[Lazy Gardener]

We have a Wii. It doesn't get a lot of use, but hubby and I will break it out during those long dark winter evenings, and go bowling, or play tennis. And, I love, love, love the many balance and core strengthening games and activities you can do with the board that goes with it. It even collects fitness data and stores it so you can map your progress.