Exercise Log

[cjsmith]

Fever broke last night, so I'm officially healthy today. I'm at work. So I took an exercise break!

Today I managed to go once around the building (left turns). The camber is really getting to me -- the way the parking lot is done, going straight ahead with the building on my left is a continuous left turn. It seems I'm braking on the one side as much as I'm pushing on the other. Steering by differential braking is going to be something I learn early. Already the brake mechanism itself is becoming a little more natural for me.

Already, too, I'm a LOT faster in this thing than I am when I'm walking. (On level ground, anyway!) Once my arms get a little more used to this I'm going to be very very tempted to bring it in the building and use it all day.

Right turns tomorrow. If I think ahead I'll time myself. I may wash the wheels, too, at least the part I grab to make myself go. It's grubby enough that I came back inside with dark gray/brown palms.

- Time: ???
- Right arm is screaming at me, left doesn't care
- Mild sweat
- Embarrassment diminishing -- met a coworker, and he just mentioned the weather (phew)
- Current goal: able to go once around without feeling tired

Comments

[wcg.livejournal.com]

See about getting a pair of padded-palm weight lifting gloves. All the wheelchair racers I've seen use them.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

That makes sense. Most people in wheelchairs don't use gloves day to day, but then most of 'em are a lot more used to it than I am. I probably won't callus up for everyday use unless I do a lot more everyday use.

[genderfur.livejournal.com]

the person I know best who used a chair for several years used gloves. She called 'em her "brake pads".

I don't understand how people *don't*. Because of that getting-filthy-hands thing.

Btw: did you know that there are wheelchair races? Wheelchair basketball games? You can still be an athlete!

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Various designs have the gripping rail (rim, whatever -- the part you grab) at various distances from the hub of the wheel. I naively guess that the farther from the ground it is, the easier it might be to keep clean.

Absolutely, I've seen the races / basketball games. Never with women, of course. But hey, I don't need medals, I would just like to be fit and exercising outdoors.

[genderfur.livejournal.com]

and the further it is from the ground, the further it is from your hands, too. So that must be the limiting factor - you don't want to have to slump.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Yeah, the racing wheelchairs in particular seem to have the person lower (with the legs in a totally different position) and the rim closer to the hub. I suspect the low center of gravity helps stability.

[kateyule.livejournal.com]

The gloves I like for weightlifting are the Harbinger Cross Trainer, which they market to bicyclists and kayakers. The seamless palm is textured neoprene with some cushiness and a great grip. I'm not a screamingly serious weightlifter by any means, but the hard pressure on the palm was exacerbating nerve problems brought on by too much knitting. These helped.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the recommendation! The description sounds like they're very comfy.

[sukicat.livejournal.com]

I am glad to see that you are doing better *purrr*

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Thanks! *scritches offered*

[datagoddess.livejournal.com]

Will it help your feet to stay off them by usng the chair regularly?

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Sadly, I think it won't. At my most recent appointment I asked the podiatrist whether it would help to be COMPLETELY non-weight-bearing for a few weeks. She said it was unlikely, and that if I thought to do it by staying in bed they'd probably get worse. Feet, apparently, don't do as well when the legs aren't used. :-/

Oh well! At least I get exercise, out in the sunshine.

[just-cyd.livejournal.com]

i'm all for using the chair whenever and whereever you feel you need it. can you get around *inside* the building OK? anything that'll lessen your chronic pain and make you more functional is a Very Good Thing.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

I haven't tried inside but I presume it'll work fine. The corridors are all some government-bureaucracy-mandated standard width, the building is one story, the floors are level, and the carpeting isn't thick and squishy.

I'd be the first wheelie in here since the (1998 or so?) remodel, I think. Hee!

[just-cyd.livejournal.com]

cool. make sure you take pics when you decorate it. and yes, you MUST decorate it!! bumper stickers on the back! streamers in the wheels! wheeeee!!!!!!!! i'll be doing the same once i get a cane that's not a loaner.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Streamers *in the wheels* - I didn't think of that! Whee!