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this is mainly aimed at ray cause he is the expert, but ideas from anyone would be great.

My sister is 46 and basically falling apart, she has spurs on her heels which makes walking difficult, a bad back, and worst she has this arthritis thing in her left shoulder, and the doctor says if she dosnt exercise it and keep it strong she will lose use of her left arm, made worse by the fact that she is left handed.

she wants to lose weight, and needs to strengthen her arm\shoulder any exercises or  hints to help her would be great.

hugs angel

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hey angel.

since walking isn't the first probably option, how about water aerobics & swimming? the water will take any weight off her feet, she'll get loads of arm and shoulder work, and there are classes everywhere a million times a day so she'd have no excuse to not get to one. plus the warm pool water may do wonders for the arthritis.

next, i'd perhaps be getting her to a podiatrist or something to see to those spurs. she could try getting a rolling pin, and each night before she takes her feet off the floor to sleep, roll her feet where the spurs are, on the rolling pin. sounds weird but it does have some effect. a specialist told me that one, once. perhaps there are inserts or orthotics for her shoes that will make it more possible for her to walk even for 20 minutes a day.

other options include pilates, because most of that is done laying on your back on the floor. she may get some core strength happening that will also be of benefit. as for shoulder & arm exercises, if she got some light weights (1 or 2 kilo) she could do shoulder raises and that kind of thing. there are a range of exercises there that could be of benefit.

until the boss checks in, that's my suggestion!

luv kaz x

Hello, i am no expert and Ray may very well correct me here, but the idea of swimming immediately jumps into my mind, gentle on the joints, no pressure on the heels, uses the arms - i'm not sure if it would be that great for the shoulder though??

I've heard those aqua aerobics classes are pretty good, what do you think Ray?

Virginia

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~singing~ Always look on the bright side of life.

The classic non load bearing exercise is swimming.

 

Logically if she needs to lose a lot of weight diet and portion size need to be looked at.

 

The arthritis foundation suggest that if you still have discomfort 2 hours after an activity you have stressed your joints more than is ideal.

 

 

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unfortunatly swimming really isnt an option, for several  reasons

first she is on a property, so the basic running into town is reserved for a once a week shopping trip,

second every spare cent she has atm, is going towards taking her eldest to the far west ever 2 weeks for checkups ( he has a rare cancerous disease,  had 13 tumours taken out of his jaw several months ago and has to go to sydney every 2 to 4 weeks for checkups )

and thirdly, there is a town pool, but its only open during summer months

so more suggestions please

hugs angel

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While this may sound callous and self centred but making a martyr of oneself to care for a sick child may be counter productive.

 

It does seem to be a common occurrence that people put others needs in front of their own.

 

Why doesn’t she think here feet are important enough to be fixed?

 

If her health fails who will care for her child?

 

How can she give her child the best care when her health seems to be holding her back?

 

I can imagine this is a complicated situation with many issues some of which are a lot more involved than just an exercise program.

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Your right it is more complicated then that, but as for being a martyr thats not right, she does her best to look after herself with her limited funds and that is exaserbated by living in a rural area, and she has no choice she has to spend the money on him, if she dosnt pay to get him to sydney no one else will!

angel

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Hi Angel,

Sorry I missed this one.

If she can't swim, she just needs to get those spurs fixed. She may just need some orthotics, but it's best if she can get in and see a Podiatrist. That would be my first plan of attack.

If that's not possible (and she should be trying her best to make it possible), she could just buy some cheap orthotics from the chemist. This is not an ideal option because it's basically one-size-fits-all, but it is still an option. Maybe they'll work maybe they wont.

 

I've only just got over heel spurs myself so I can literally feel her pain. I kept putting it off and it just got so bad that walking caused me pain. She just needs to get it fixed!

Ray

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My new book: Winners Do What Losers Don't

thanks for the advice ray.

im on the phone to her as we speak and she said to say she has an air walker is that any good?

hugs angel

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It could make the problem worse. She can only try it and see how it feels afterwards

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My new book: Winners Do What Losers Don't

Hi angel. I would say your sister would benefit from a visit to both a chiropractor for her back and a podiotrist for her feet. Does she like swimming? She might find it more comfortable as there would be no pressure on her limbs and back. (I would speak to the chiropractor about excersises).

I was told that fish is excellent for arthritis, osteoporosis, the heart just to name a few. She should have at least 3 servings of fish a week. Or, she could take Fish oil supplements. Angel, did you know there is a dietician on this board? She has been very helpful to me. Her name is Michelle. I am sure she could help your sister and you would know you were getting expert advice. If you can't find her on the notice board, ask Ray. Good luck.

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Rolling pin for heel spurs - hmm will have to try this one. I have had heel spurs for ages now, not sure why i haven't got them checked out - time and money or just scared, who knows.

As for exercising can she get a hold of an exercise bike, cheapy from local paer maybe. I use my elliptical its not to bad untill i stop moving then the heels really kick in. I think i am getting use to the pain these days so i am able to walk still, plus i have no choice due to work being on my feet.

Hope she finds something she is able to do comfortably, and best of luck with all the health issues facing your family.

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cw 99.9kg - taken clothed at WW 18/11/08 sw: 124.6kg Weight lost so far: 24.7kgs

hello angel

i am much like your sister. plagued with ailments that impede weightloss and are responsible for weight gain.

my knees are injured and i have plantar faciarittis in my feet most likely from walking badly and limping with my crook knees. I also have osteo arthritis in my feet, another arthritis in my hands and some bizarre thing called fibromyalgia which i thought was just one of those weird things hippies got(joke)

anyhow this isnt about me, what i was trying to show you is that i came from being unable to walk  to today, where i am out in the garden again laying pavers and lifting sleepers(on my own) which i wouldnt have beleived possible nearly a year ago.im slowly getting back to my pre injury and pre arthritis strength and im 40 yrs old.

 for feet, dont mess with them, get her to see a podiatrist. its not something i would self diagnose as feet are very crucial to her fitness.podiatrists are better than docs too i have found, docs know a little of everything but not alot about most stuff .

 for exercise with out feet pain i have just bought a bike as recomended by 3 specialists helping me mend. absolutely no foot pain on the bike. i have to do my calf exercises to walk though as directed by the podiatrist. for me, calf exercises are the difference between excruciating pain and inability to walk to mild bareable pain that wears off as i walk more. nothing worse than jumping out of bed to feel those humungous metal nails being pounded into your heels(well thats what it feels like)

a podiatrist will also check how your sis is walking and may have be able to help correct it.

anyhow, i have rambled enuff

good luck to you and your sister

heres to happier heels

 

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Hi, my husband using hand cream rubbed mine for me, it took 12 months but it worked, also if your sister could obtain an exercise bike, steady exercise is better than none so a slow ride may help, and bottles with water are good for weights especially if they have handles,I know how hard it is to look after yourself, my husband has cancer and Chemo knocks him about, so chemo week is no picnic at our place, hang in ther and good luck