Category: Goals Page 3 of 4

For the last few months Project Walking has been put on the back burner, I was either spending almost all of my energy on university work, coping with the loss of a loved one or simply just too poorly to attempt it. But I’m happy to say things are now on the up and I’m feeling a lot better than I have been.

Another reason things ground to a halt on Project Walking, was because the Wii Fit has been packed away while the living room is decorated. As this was my main form of building the strength back up in my legs, I’ve had to have a rethink of how to do this while the living room is being done up.

Now I’m well enough to start building the strength back up in my legs again, I’ve established a new physio routine. Decorating. An hour or two every other day is spent helping with the decorating going up and down some steps, standing and stretching and when I start getting tired or increased pain I stop. Not only does this help me with strengthening my legs (and therefore hopefully my ability to walk further) but it also means I’m helping out, doing something useful. And at the end of most days there is a little more of the room painted; which I can say I did.

Obviously there are some restrictions to when this exercise can be done; because it involves using steps it can’t be done when there’s no one else in the house. It also depends on the day, if I don’t feel too good I don’t do it. And often a days rest is needed in between decorating days; not so much because I’ve overdone it but to make sure I don’t overdo it and give my legs a chance to recover a bit. I don’t want to push it too far too soon.

It may sound a bit of an odd way to build up my muscles and I don’t want people thinking I’m well because of what I’m managing. I’m still moderately affected by M.E. The days I do decorating I don’t do much else, the majority of the afternoon is spent resting (or dozing). But I know if I want to get back to walking up the road I need to work on my leg muscles, and if I can help my family out along the way it’s a bonus. I depend on them so much it’s nice to be able to give a little something back, even if it is a slow process. And so far it seems to be working; I still struggle to get up the stairs some nights, but it is slowly getting a bit easier. Now that’s something positive to focus on!

In the past few weeks I took a big step towards putting Project Walking into action. I walked around a local Lidl store unaided for the first time in well over a year! To say I am proud of myself is an understatement. The feeling of actually making improvements was immense. Until reality struck that is.

You see apparently that walk around a fairly small store (compared with the big supermarkets) was too much, too soon. Soon after I was exhausted and the next few days my legs were very painful and weak. But I did it and I’ve learned from it.

And so I have developed a different plan. Rather than build up my walking by actually going for walks around stores, parks etc. to begin with I am going to start using the Nintendo Wii Fit ‘step’ activities and perhaps the ‘jog’ one too if it will allow me to walk instead of jog!

I figure this way I can build up my leg muscles and stamina, the main source of my problems, gently while having the ability to stop and rest on the sofa during one of the activities if necessary. It’s not an ideal solution; I’d love to get out in the fresh air more, but for now, until I’ve strengthened my legs a bit more I think it’s the safest option.

I had my first go at this on January 20th. I completed one ‘go’ of the basic step activity. which left me utterly exhausted for the rest of the evening. But it was a start. I aim to do one ‘go’ at basic step once a week and see how things go. If it’s too much I’ll decrease how often I do it and if I feel I can do more I’ll look at increasing the frequency. The first go at this was fantastic yet tinged with sadness at the same time; I’ve come so far from where I was the last time I used the Wii Fit (as scales no activities!) 444 days ago, yet at the same time I can’t help but feel a little disappointed that roughly 4 minutes of simple exercise leaves me so completely exhausted. I’m all for keeping positive though so I’m focusing on how far I’ve come and how brilliant it was to be able to use the Wii Fit again while looking forward to the day I can manage more than 4 minutes exercise without the awful exhaustion that followed.

I don’t want to push myself too far too soon and end up making myself worse. Pushing myself at all is a risk but it’s one I’m willing to take because I want to get better. I just have to go at my own pace, listening to my body at all times. Getting a taste of that freedom of walking round a store has made me even more determined that I will do it again. So watch this space for more progress on Project Walking!!

It’s hard to believe 2014 is over and we’re now into 2015! This year I’ve decided to set out some targets for myself, I don’t believe in making resolutions but targets I can go with.

There’s a couple of big targets I’m setting myself and I’ve decided to call these Projects, if I don’t make them this year they’ll roll on until I do!

Project Carol Service.
I couldn’t get to the Christmas Carol Service in 2014 so this year I plan on working my way towards making it this year! This means venturing out to church services, starting with the quieter ones and building up to busier ones throughout the year in order to be able to manage the Christmas Carol Service.

Project Food Processor
This one’s probably an unusual one however the suggestion has been made so I’m going to give it a go! Basically because of my love of making it has been suggested I use the food processor for the mixing (the bit which I find uses the most energy). The only slight possible issue is the noise. But like I say I’m going to give it a go if it means I can get baking again. Besides there’s always ear plugs!

Project Walking 
As much as I appreciate the freedom my wheelchair and mobility scooter bring me I don’t see them as a permanent part of my future. So this year I hope to be build up my walking. Any regular readers will know I mostly get around the house without any aids. Outside is a different story though. I plan on starting with short walks on crutches and building up from there. Either by doing longer walks in crutches (obviously being careful of payback!) Or by doing the same short walk with reduced walking aids; first one crutch, then no crutch with fold-up walking stick in my bag ‘just in case’.

I have a lot of smaller daily goals that I mentioned in another post which I’m still working on doing everyday. Plus the longer-term ones mentioned there are on the go.

Overall I hope 2015 is going to be a positive year and I aim to get it off to the best start possible.

Of course I’ll keep you updated on how both projects and the other big goals go. And if I add projects to the list throughout the year they’ll no doubt get blog posts too! Here’s hoping I can make this year better than the last!

Wishing you all a year of health and happiness!