What I learned at PT Yesterday
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
United States
April 9, 2016 9:38am CST
While at my physical therapy appointment for injuries I sustained in a trip and fall accident in November, I learned something that made me very happy. You see, I exercise six days a week. I don’t exercise on the seventh day to give myself a break. I don’t like to exercise. I find it intensely boring. But I like the results, so I do it.
My routine has been to work out with weights and do stretches Monday, Wednesday and Friday of every week. I did the same exercises and stretches Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, but without the weights. I knew that muscles needed to rest, which is why I did less intense workouts every other day.
But my physical therapist told me that my muscles would improve more if I gave them complete rest. He suggested that I work out zones every other day. I explained that complications made me want to avoid the whole thing, so he told me to work out hard one day, and then skip it altogether the next. Yippee! As I said, I really don’t like working out.
So here is my new physical therapist routine, I will work out with my weights Monday, Wednesday and Friday. I’ll increase the number of repetitions that I do every so often, so that my muscles are being challenged. I’ll also so my stretches, to stay flexible. I’ll take a walk a few times each day, depending upon what else I have planned, and the weather. I’ll also play bocce on Sunday, if the weather is nice.
That’s it. I have eliminated working out four days of the week, but my results will be better. This is great news, like when I found out that eating chocolate is good for you. Have you had any good news lately?
25 people like this
22 responses
@Marcyaz (35316)
• United States
10 Apr 16
@ElizabethWallace
At least you don't need to do it so many days now which is good when you don't really want to do it anyway.
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
9 Apr 16
Especially since I do not like doing it in the first place!
2 people like this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
10 Apr 16
@Marcyaz You are right on the button. I have not worked out this weekend, since weekends are on my do not exercise now list. Made me happy each morning to realize I did not have to force myself to do it. 
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45941)
• United States
9 Apr 16
I have to set a routine so that I can become more active. The weather is getting nicer...but slowly, so walking is out of the question for now. However, I do have a sedentary recumbent bike and can use it. I injured my knee about a month ago and need to take it easy for a while yet. Once it is back to its old arthritic self, I can use the bike.
2 people like this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
9 Apr 16
@ElusiveButterfly If you like the idea, you can find lots of styles and prices online. Let them deliver it. It's a little heavy to carry. I put mine in from of a window.
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
9 Apr 16
I bought a mini-stepper so that I can "walk" inside when the weather stinks.
3 people like this
@Rollo1 (16676)
• Boston, Massachusetts
9 Apr 16
Years ago, when I did a lot of weight training, I had a strict schedule and never worked the same body part two days in a row. When you work with weights, the muscles should rest 48 hours during which time they respond to the stress of the weight training and build new and stronger fibers. Working biceps every day will not increase their size nearly as quickly as working them on alternate days. Ah, so long ago... I used to quite like my biceps.
1 person likes this
@Rollo1 (16676)
• Boston, Massachusetts
9 Apr 16
@ElizabethWallace Underarm dingle-dangle is down to triceps, or lack thereof, but people can't always get rid of it even with lots of upper arm work. Sometimes, skin just dangles, genetically-speaking.
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
10 Apr 16
@Rollo1 Like most things relating to our bodies, genetics lean us to acquiring things we do not want. However, if we eat right and get enough exercise, then we may be able to stave off those problems, or at least delay them for decades.
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
9 Apr 16
Mine look okay, and I don't have that hanging flab that lots of people have under their arms, but now they will get great. The funny thing is though, I always wear long sleeves, so no one knows but me.
The funny thing is though, I always wear long sleeves, so no one knows but me.1 person likes this
@changjiangzhibin89 (17242)
• China
10 Apr 16
I just walk at a quick pace for half an hour or so in the morning from Monday to Saturday .In addition,I kick my legs for the stretching ligament purpose or practise horse stance several times a day .
photo credits:http://www.shaolin.org/general-2/horse-stance.html
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
10 Apr 16
According to all of the recent studies, being physically active throughout the day keeps us in the best condition. We cannot sit all day, and do something physical for thirty minutes and expect our bodies to stay fit.
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
9 Apr 16
My Fitbit tracker has a new feature. It now lets us set how many hours we want it to track if we have been sedentary. It is a very visible reminder to get up and move every hour. It's very helpful.
2 people like this
@RasmaSandra (98026)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
9 Apr 16
@ElizabethWallace good news came in the form of sunshine today and seeing some flowers springing up.
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
9 Apr 16
@RasmaSandra I love sunshine. It's all it really takes to make me happy.
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
10 Apr 16
@Ruby3881 I am lucky that when I began teaching back in the 1970s, Kaiser medical group was a choice for school district employees in my state. I have had them ever since. I've always been really happy with the care and skill of all of their doctors, nurses, etc.
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
9 Apr 16
It sure is. He's bright, fun and full of good information.
1 person likes this
@Ruby3881 (1963)
• Canada
9 Apr 16
@ElizabethWallace Lucky you! It's great to have a good physiotherapist, when you need one. Some are really good about giving suggestions and talking things out. Others, not so much....
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
9 Apr 16
Exactly. It made me really happy.
1 person likes this
@Hatley (163772)
• Garden Grove, California
25 Jun 16
just that I made the phone call to reserve a round trip to the eye doctor Monday afternoon and I wasx ablre to hear enough of twhat the lady on the phone said that I go the addtress to her and that I got the times of going and coming back too. Jt seems a given anymorfe thatcetain words I just do not hear and its so hard on the phone . face to fave I canhear a little better.
@allknowing (153529)
• India
10 Apr 16
I was introduced to physiotherapy when I met with an accident. There were several exercises I had to do for a few months but now I do a few but not everyday. Doing something everyday was never recommended by my physiotherapist.
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
10 Apr 16
I have had more than one accident in my life. Each time I was given a print out of exercise. I have added them to my routine, which I now do three days a week.
@Tampa_girl7 (54716)
• United States
10 Apr 16
My son lifts weights every other day.
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (91126)
• United States
9 Apr 16
Sounds like your PT gave you some sound advice. Enjoy those extra days off
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
9 Apr 16
It was great getting good news. I am really tired of tedious advice.
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
9 Apr 16
All the time (except when in the shower). I love the new feature. It helps remind us not to sit too much. I have set mine from 9 am to 9 pm. I get a red dot if I am up and walking at least 250 steps in an hour. It's annoying to forget to get up when doing something interesting.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382258)
• Rockingham, Australia
18 Apr 16
That IS good news indeed. I don't like working out either and mostly avoid it - to my detriment I know.
@arthurchappell (44941)
• Preston, England
12 Apr 16
sounds like hard work to me but the chocolate is a great reward
@DeborahDiane (40848)
• Laguna Woods, California
11 Apr 16
That sounds like a good plan. I try to walk 5 to 6 days a week, simply because I like it. But I also take yoga twice a week, weight training once or twice a week (because I don't like it, but know I should do it), and I go horseback riding at least once a week ... which I love!
@Elizaby (6902)
• Pensacola, Florida
10 Apr 16
That is good news as it will give you more time on your off days from exercise
