Thursday, December 15, 2016

Fitness after 50. Week 1. A Book Review

2016 was quite a year in the health department.  It began with strange pain and ended with two surgeries six weeks apart along with a challenging three month physical therapy regime.  Hoo boy!  What a year!  During this down time, I gained a couple of pounds each month.  'Probably normal during such circumstances.   Now that I've been released to work out again, I am not quite sure what to do or where to begin.  If you'd like to read about all the crazy emotions I am feeling, please take a look at my post titled


This moment in time is quite overwhelming.  The goal of physical therapy was to get my injured side back to 80%, so there are some balance issues.  I've decided to write a series of posts about my journey both physical and emotional.  I am certainly not an expert, but I'd like to tell you what works for me.  What am I?  A fifty something grandmother that enjoys mud runs, heavy lifting, and aerial fitness.  You can expect to see recipes and nutrition ideas along with book reviews, basic workouts, flexibility and running schedules.   I hope I have the courage to talk about the failures and disappointments, too.  We'll see!  Suggestions are welcomed and appreciated.  Right now, I need all the support I can get!

Week 1.

In the Rest and Heal post, my sweet blogger friend, Sue, suggested I try a book titled Forever Painless, so of course I googled it, found it, and read the free sample online.  I visited the author's website and reviewed short videos on YouTube.  After my detective work ;-) I reserved a copy at my local book store.  ;-)  The book is written by Miranda Esmonde-White.  It is a perfect starting place for me, focusing on gentle stretches and strengthening movements to be done at my pace.  This is the bridge I was looking for!  The plan only takes about 30 minutes each day.  30 minutes!  We all feel crunched for time, right?  So far, these quiet little sessions with Miranda have been very helpful.  I am already feeling less pain and more confidence!

Here is the cover of the book: 



Partial Synopsis from The Publisher:  In Forever Painless, Miranda provides detailed instructions for gentle exercise designed to ease discomfort in the feet and ankles, knees, hips, back, and neck—allowing anyone to live happier, healthier, and pain-free no matter their age.

I'd like to send a big thank you to Sue!  BTW...  Sue is the mastermind of Crochet Addict.  I hope you have time to visit her, too!

OK.  Back to Fitness after 50 on Friday.  ;-)  What do you think?  I'd love to hear your thoughts!

;-)  -Marci

18 comments:

  1. Glad you are on the mend.
    Looking forward to following along, to see how your challenge goes.
    I am in need of a fitness overhaul!

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    1. Thank you, Sandra! I am glad to be on the mend. This will be quite a journey as I find a new path! If you choose an overhaul, I'd love to hear about it! Maybe it will work for me, too! -Marci

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  2. Oh i might look into that book as well. I have chronic back problems and have for years.
    Hope you're feeling better and your healing is quick.

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    1. Hi, Holli! There are quite a few short videos on YouTube you might try. I was surprised how quickly these movements helped! Will you please keep me posted on how you are feeling? -Marci

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  3. At the age of 76 have my share of pain have lived with for many years, one area is my neck. From way you spoke about this book sounds like I could gain advantages over my health/structure problems.
    Last year on 12/7 had my right shoulder replaced, was easy surgery but as p/t said should have been at physical therapy after one week, not almost 5 as Home Health care decided. As result my range of motion is quite limited no matter how much head physical therapist worked with me. Am seriously concerned as will need to have left shoulder replaced in next few months, am left handed.Am pretty active so not being able to move arm as needed is definite problem for me, like hanging laundry out.
    Am going to see if library has this book, if not will see what can find online/Amazon. Have also had both knees replaced in Nov. 2008 and Dec. 2009. Have problems with joints due to being hypothyroid, didn't work when I was born. Am so glad you did post about this book, could be very helpful.
    Hope you heal quickly and well and that exercises from book help you. Will be looking forward to hearing how you do.
    Hope you have wonderful holiday season weekend

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    1. Wow! You have quite a history! Thank you for sharing that with me. This book has lots of photos to help understand each movement. I really like that she explains which exercises help which joint. There is a workout specifically for ankles, one just for knees, another for the back, etc. If you try it, will you please let me know how it goes? -Marci

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  4. This books sounds just what the doctor ordered, for you and me! I have foot pain from plantar fasciitis (dr. says) but her suggestions don't seem to help much. I have trouble with balance as well. I'm getting this book, too. Thanks for your thoughts on it (and for Sue's suggestion!). Glad you're seeing some progress! Hopefully you'll l be ready for gardening when Spring comes. Zenda

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    1. Hello, Zenda! Will you please keep me posted on what works best for you? We can swap ideas! ;-) -Marci

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  5. Is Japanese difficult to translate?
    Japanese is formed from four kinds of combinations.
    It is from Kanji, Hiragana, Katakana, Romaji.
    Japan is already midnight.
    I am always moved by a wonderful blog from you.
    Thank you very much.
    Ryoma.

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    1. Thank you for stopping by and leaving a sweet comment! -Marci

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  6. Any amount of exercise you can do is always a good thing. Glad that the book is helping you. I have missed going to the gym lately due to my bad cold that keeps hanging on. So, I will have to ease back into it once I start back.

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    1. Colds can be just awful! I'm sorry one has pounced on you! -Marci

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  7. PBS is showing an hour long show on this author and her book on Jan 1 as part of their new year's resolutions lineup.

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    1. Thank you for letting me know! I'd love to watch that. -Marci

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  8. It is so important to keep (or start) moving, which is hard after surgery. This sounds like the perfect approach! Even moving a bit gets you feeling better, so then you can do a bit more and more.... wishing you a healthy year! (visiting from #BragAboutIt)

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    1. Thank you! I am definitely feeling better. The more I move, the more I want to move! ;-) -Marci

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  9. So glad you are heading in the right direction. I look forward to reading about your rehabilitation and fitness journey! :)

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  10. I've never been very good about consistent exercise. I find walking is good for me, but where I live I don't have much space for it. - Margy

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