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Post by Phar Lap on Jan 19, 2024 22:56:06 GMT -5
It’s Saturday afternoon, 2:45 and I’m just so tired. My eyelids grow heavy not even the most interesting shoe on Netflix keeps them open. I drink cold water. But son we are back to falling asleep. Breathing is difficult, I have to lose weight, standing up is heavy I can’t do it. I need to walk for my health but walking puffs me out after ten steps. Work starts in about ten days. Mentally I need to work. Financially I need to work. Health wise I need to work. But physically I am unable to work. My job entails standing for 45 mins twice a day in the open. I have done this job for thirty years except when I was forty, the place Imworkedmat had a concrete fence about fifteen inches wide so I was able to sit for part of the time when it wasn’t busy.
The place I’m at now there is no fence, nothing, nothing to even lean against. I couldn’t do it from end of November till December 20 so had a doctor certificate. Dec 20 was the last day of work before school holidays.
I hate being poor. I hate being so unhealthy. Lovely lady M suggested I start by walking in my house for two minutes. She said I know you sit so get up and walk around for two minutes. Then later for three minutes. She is right of course. She told me this early this morning Inhave only now just remembered.
You know, it was easier to stop smoking than it is to start moving and losing it.
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Post by groo on Jan 19, 2024 23:04:38 GMT -5
Total sympathy; my health and stamina have taken a nosedive over the past 12 months. Try Community Health, maybe a physiotherapist. I really don't know what's available in Bearbrass, but there are community health facilities available.
Also see your GP for referrals or perhaps one of those community health facilities that the government has recently inntroduced.
Being poor should not preclude you from decent medical and aged care treatment.
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Post by groo on Jan 19, 2024 23:28:09 GMT -5
At present I am being helped by local Community Health - I see a cardiac nurse regularly and I am visited in my home by an exercise physiologist who is proving most helpful. This is all covered by Medicare. They have also referred me to a social worker, who has helped with home care assistance.
Physiotherapist has done a lot of good and is covered by DVA, but Medicare is also able to help there. As things improve, and they are doing that, I will be able to use gym facilities at the Physios under guidance and supervision.
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Post by groo on Jan 19, 2024 23:31:31 GMT -5
At your age (and I don't really know what that is - I'm guessing), do you really need to continue working?
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Post by ozziegiraffe on Jan 20, 2024 2:07:01 GMT -5
Phar, is it possible to take a chair to your work place, to sit on when needed? I can’t stand for 5 minutes, let alone 45.
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Post by jimm on Jan 20, 2024 6:25:32 GMT -5
Phar - maybe see if your Dr can refer you to an exercise physiologist (I think that's what they are called.) Otherwise think about trying for a disability pension.
As for puffing after 10 steps - I have a little experience at exercise and trying to get fit. When I was about 40 I started running, and could manage 100 metres before getting puffed, so I then walked for a 100 metres or until I felt I could run again. I soon discovered that although I was puffing hard after 100 metres, I could actually continue running, maybe a bit more gently, even though I was puffed. I learnt to pace myself - ie run at a pace such that I could continue running and puff at the same time. The point I'm making is that just because one is puffing does not mean they should stop walking - just walk slower. BUT get professional advice about this - there might be a reason other than lack of fitness that causes you to run out of puff.
BTW a few years later I ran a marathon, puffing and running for 4 hours.
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Post by Liiisa on Jan 20, 2024 7:46:28 GMT -5
Wow jimm!
phar, I get so involved in my work that I forget to get up and move for hours at a time. This isn't good, so I've started setting a timer that pings and makes me get up every half hour and walk around; maybe that would be good for you when you're at home? Also, like ozzie said - maybe get a chair? There are portable things that are made to be easy to carry, possibly get one of those.
You could also do things in your house to force you to move around, like keep the tv remote in the kitchen so you always have to get up and fetch it to change channels.
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Post by psw on Jan 20, 2024 10:19:36 GMT -5
You need something like this from a company in Oz - a home health supply shop or similar: www.magellans.com/itemdy00.aspx?ID=119,3694&T1=MA9109 Copy and paste entire link, including last few numbers in black. Magellans is mostly a travel clothing and gear company. There must be an Oz equivalent, if not a medical supply house.
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Post by Liiisa on Jan 20, 2024 10:32:44 GMT -5
Thank you psw, that's precisely the thing I was describing
Of course I should add that "going to the kitchen to get another piece of chocolate" is NOT a good reason to exercise (not that this comment is applying to me, nooo)
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Post by tinaja on Jan 20, 2024 11:27:08 GMT -5
My cousin, 82, has a timer that reminds him to get up and move. Not that he goes far. His knees/legs are bad. Most of his time seems to be at the computer or in the recliner reading.
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Post by Phar Lap on Jan 20, 2024 12:27:08 GMT -5
Gee Jimm, that’s awesome! Liiisa, I asked my supervisor last year about bringing a chair and the answer was a very resounding NO! To do the job, one needs to be physically fit to stand for 45 minutes. And iffen you cannot stand for 45 minutes, the job is not for you.
Thank you for the chair suggestion, PSW, I have seen those before. I don’t know if it would hold my weight though, having put on so much weight, I now weigh 120kg plus a bit.
I get the age pension - just turned 71 this month. I was alright when I was 69, I didn’t mind being 69 but the minute I woke up on my 70th birthday, that was it! I had crossed the Rubicon! I’ve never been the same since. Psychological I know, but I can’t change it.
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Post by Liiisa on Jan 20, 2024 12:31:23 GMT -5
That's really too bad about the chair. Can you bring a cane to lean on or something?
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Post by psw on Jan 20, 2024 12:41:58 GMT -5
Phar - "Thank you for the chair suggestion, PSW, I have seen those before. I don’t know if it would hold my weight though, having put on so much weight, I now weigh 120kg plus a bit."
This one says it holds 250 pounds, which is about 120kg, so there should be something out there for you. It's very handy. I keep one in my car for when I know I'm going to have to walk too far for just a cane.
What exactly is your job? By US standards you may be experiencing age/disability discrimination. I have no clue on Oz labor law on reasonable accommodation. Of course one risks being labeled a trouble maker... Where can you inquire? Are there any legal aid offices that deal in employment issues?
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Post by Webs on Jan 20, 2024 13:40:38 GMT -5
Phar, a lot of your health issues would be alleviated if you would stop making excuses and get up an move.
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Post by whothingie on Jan 20, 2024 14:15:40 GMT -5
Hi. Time to think of 71 as young and not old. My mobility isn't great now in comparison to a few years ago and my weight not where I want it to be. After my hiccup back in the winter once I was able to get out of bed I forced myself to get up from my chair either every ad break, or if I was reading every chapter, and as the house was a bit neglected every time I stood, walked, I did a small task, such as dust one bit of furniture, part emptied the dishwasher and it made a difference to how I felt both physically and mentally. My knees are stuffed so standing that long would be difficult, but if you want to keep your job, you have to make the effort, and presumably that job gives you the money to buy your coffees etc. Your employer won't be able to keep you, even on extended sick leave, if you cannot safely do your j9b.
Cause and effect.. so once you have read this, off you go to the other end if the lounge, into the bedroom, hangup an item of clothes and return to the lounge. Repeat repeat
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Post by Phar Lap on Jan 20, 2024 17:20:16 GMT -5
I had reached a decision that today I was going to the Chinese grocery to return something to Amazon (free to do so) instead of putting it off, push the 60 rolls of toilet paper to the bathroom and put in the bath, and move the coffee machine (unwanted present from London Lad) from the lounge room floor to the kitchen somewhere, probably on the bench in the corner. And each day do three small things. By doing these “things” three a day, it will not only get me moving, but get things which should have been done a very long time ago, done.
Then I came in and read the last post!
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Post by sprite on Jan 20, 2024 17:31:44 GMT -5
Phar, a lot of your health issues would be alleviated if you would stop making excuses and get up an move. I know that at a purely factual, rational level, this is true. I also know that while my health issues are not as severe as Phar's, they would be mostly solved if I spent 20 minutes a day doing physio. All I have to do is just do it. Just stop making excuses. And most nights, I go to bed, and haven't done it. It feels shit. But I still don't do it the next day, usually. There is a thing where some people struggle with 'task initiation', that is, just doing whatever it is. It's not a personal failing, it's just a brain wiring. Unfortunately, this causes us a lot of problems, and we have to work out how we can trick ourselves into doing the thing. For example, Phar might try reminding herself to drink plenty of water--but only pour herself 1/3 a glass of water, or use a very small cup to drink from. So she has to get up frequently to refill it. Thus, she's moving, but she's not "doing exercise", she's just "getting a drink of water" and this might be enough to get past the 'task initiation' hurdle. or she might have to find other ways to make it easier to add movement to her day without calling it 'exercise'.
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Post by Liiisa on Jan 20, 2024 17:37:44 GMT -5
Yup, this is me: I PAY a trainer and a PT person to tell me to do exercises, and I occasionally bother to do them at home, but most of the time? Nope. I mainly do the exercises when I'm at the gym and they're forcing me to do it.
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Post by jimm on Jan 20, 2024 17:45:15 GMT -5
As a follow-up to my previous post - now that I'm nearly 80 (ouch - how did that happen?) I have to admit to not being very good at exercise these days. I'm fit enough to walk 2-3 km or more, but I don't very often. Maybe once a week I'll walk 1.5 km to the shops and back, but most days sees me sitting at my PC or reading or napping. I've set a reminder to go for a walk 3 days a week, but it's ignored more often that not.
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Post by groo on Jan 20, 2024 18:04:46 GMT -5
This thread has proved to be wonderfully motivational. I'm off to do my physiotherapist exercises and my exercise physiologist exercises.
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Post by Phar Lap on Jan 20, 2024 22:20:20 GMT -5
To add insult to injury, the gout in my second toe has blown up after a long while and it’s killing me - cannot walk easy without trying to keep all those muscles and their “pulleys/whatever they’re called” it hurts too much.
I may have to rethink returning the item.
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Post by groo on Jan 20, 2024 22:27:48 GMT -5
As a follow-up to my previous post - now that I'm nearly 80 (ouch - how did that happen?) I have to admit to not being very good at exercise these days. I'm fit enough to walk 2-3 km or more, but I don't very often. Maybe once a week I'll walk 1.5 km to the shops and back, but most days sees me sitting at my PC or reading or napping. I've set a reminder to go for a walk 3 days a week, but it's ignored more often that not. Jim, I'm a tiny bit over 80 and suspect that your earlier problems may have been a result of your heart surgery, and I am both inspired and delighted by your recovery. Health people regard my mobility problems as stemming from my heart's misbehaviour earlier this year - the good news is that I hardly ever need to use my wheelie walker these days, though I do appreciate the seat when venturing too far from my car or forced to wait too long. I've just completed a set of physio and a set of physiology exercises and will try another lot before dinner. Phar - you have no idea how helpful I've found community health to be. They're well worth a shot. Oz, yes it is bloody hot. 37C at present. No snow - I'd appreciate a bit.
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Post by jimm on Jan 20, 2024 22:34:11 GMT -5
Second what groo said about community health - and add MyAgedCare.
Also the local U3A is a nice community for older ppl.
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Post by ozziegiraffe on Jan 20, 2024 22:37:56 GMT -5
I’ve just been very good and taken the red bin down my driveway to be emptied. These days, for me, that is aerobic exercise. In this heat, even more so. (red bin here is landfill).
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Post by groo on Jan 20, 2024 23:11:55 GMT -5
600 metres to my bin pickups so that's why I tow them down with the car. My hand slipped during the unhook the other day and I tore loose a large flap of skin. T tree oil and XXL bandaids have worked wonders and the majority of the skin has reestablished itself.
Too hot to go outside. I'm bored.
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Post by Phar Lap on Jan 21, 2024 0:50:52 GMT -5
Too hot to go outside. I'm bored. I hear you loud and clear - all the way down south!
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Post by Phar Lap on Jan 21, 2024 0:58:31 GMT -5
Good God it’s 42° in the Sydney suburb where my eldest boy lives!
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Post by Liiisa on Jan 21, 2024 8:06:33 GMT -5
42 is terrible! Even I (here in the frozen −5 North) would complain about that.
I hereby vow to do my exercises today, as Mod is my witness
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Post by Webs on Jan 21, 2024 20:23:38 GMT -5
Well, yes if it's too hot or cold to go outside then of course, don't.
But you don't need to go outside to move. And the more you move the easier it will be. I walked up and down the six flights of stairs in my building today because it's been too cold for me to be outside.
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Post by Liiisa on Jan 21, 2024 20:26:25 GMT -5
Yup, up and down the stairs. I also did some squats with a full laundry basket, which didn't really succeed but anyway, things can be done.
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