Read Lansdale member, Cecelia (Ceil’s) blog regarding her experiences with our programs. Ceil is unique in the fact that she is the first person to go through all of our current health intervention programs. She is a graduate of LIVESTRONG at the YMCA, is a currently in the Matter of Balance, Fall Prevention Program, and has also joined our new Diabetes Prevention Program.
June 5, 2019
Who called my name?
So I was slowly walking (limping) in the lobby of the YMCA with my wet hair and clothes kind of clinging to me. I had just finished my water aerobics class when I heard someone say, “is that Ceil? CEIL! Wow!” Who called my name?
I had restarted my water classes; this time, enjoying the kinship and sharing time at lunch with some of the other new faces that I have met. I had also recently became aware that my mild depression was no longer with me. I credit the exercises and the fellowship of my new YMCA friends.
So I sat with my new buddies and they wanted more information about “A Matter of Balance:” Fall and Prevention Program that I had previously told them about. The 8-week program is sponsored by the Indian Valley Family YMCA and the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, held at the Peter
Becker Community. We are currently on Week 4. The facility (Peter Becker) is quite lovely and I was able to find my way as the roads in the community are well marked.
On Week 3 we started the exercises. They are simple exercises and were right for me. I felt it in my legs, yet, I was just about ready to call “Uncle!” I am thoroughly
enjoying the class and getting a lot out of it. Remember: The better your balance the less likely you are to fall or injure yourself. If you haven’t thought much about maintaining – or enhancing – your balance, now is as good a time as any to start.
June 5, 2019
I am in! Pre Diabetes Prevention Program at YMCA
So today I am warming up for my Pre Diabetes Prevention Program. It does not start for another week. I am excited that I got accepted, but I am scared. Scared because I love my noodles. I saw the listing in the YMCA brochure for the Pre Diabetes Prevention Program. My primary physician has been checking my blood regularly for the past few years, keeping his eye on my A1C. I have two sisters that have diabetes, but they keep quiet about it. But I have seen the number on the scale, but shrug my shoulders. Last night I feasted on a large amount of cheese ravioli and homemade Italian gravy. I then I went onto Sparkpeople.com and typed up some menus for six days. It was a start! One of my big issues now is that I really do not know what to eat. I want to keep this blog positive and inspiring so I will close with my new thought that I got from Sparkpeople:
I WILL succeed, because I choose to, because I CARE!
C – COMMIT + Plan every day – I choose to see every day as a new opportunity!
A – ACT on my plans consistently – I choose to take the initiative, I own this!
R – RECORD + REVIEW daily – what worked, what didn’t – celebrate every
victory, learn from any challenge!
E – EMBRACE the journey – I choose to own every decision and every choice
and will not be derailed by one challenge, by one bad choice!
June 6, 2019
RED – YELLOW – GREEN
Holy Moly! I did not realize I had developed a fear of falling, even though I am walking around consciously looking at the floor before me. Time to deal with that fear! I learned my fears are like warning signals that flash, “Danger! Caution! Or it is ok, you have the green light.”
Alicia and Clair, our instructors for this class have really opened my mind about fall prevention. I see now that my not-so-positive thoughts can start snowballing on me and cause me to not venture out or accept some invitations that I would enjoy. My circle of classmates have given me many ideas to of changes to make and have given me words of advice and encouragement to offer my friends when they say they say they can’t go to the movies, or can’t visit a relative because of stairs or weather conditions. Brainstorm with a friend to find the options and possibilities. Maybe one can work and change the scenario and allow an enjoyable experience to happen again.
Away from class, I am learning to be aware of my thoughts and to revisit them, and to let go of excuses and open myself to new adventures. Yes, I need to be alert and aware – but it is no different a skill than when I drive.
June 9, 2019
I was really annoyed the 4th week into class that I did not do my balance exercises at home that week. I knew I needed to do them daily, so that I could improve my balance.
So after Week 4 class I was determined to make some changes. I figured I could do them in front of the TV. I brought a dining room chair into the living room (for balance). Alicia said to wear your sneakers. I made a copy of the exercises and put them on colored paper with motivational stickers from the dollar store. Anything that works!!
Yesterday, I did not do the exercises in the morning and assumed that I would not be doing them that day. However at 7pm while watching Jean-Claude Van Damme rescue the damsel in distress, I pulled the chair into the living room (nothing like a little visual motivation!)
I learned if I was interested in the show and I was not completely fatigued, I could successfully do the series of movements. I recorded a bunch of how-to paint shows. I watch them while exercising. Sometimes I turn the volume off. It is something I am interested in and can concentrate as I slowly do the movements. Sometimes I can recall and visualize Claire’s foot movement.
June 16, 2019
Here I am, 8am getting an oil change and car tune up. Drank the gratuitous coffee…read today’s newspaper…no-one else is in waiting room…Oh! I could do my seated exercises!!! Brilliant idea…foot circles…seated marching…wrist exercises…look to right…look to the left…
My classmates suggested doing a little bit of the balance exercises throughout the day. I want to implement that and to try to make it a habit. Let’s see, how can I do that? I think I will keep it simple…I will brain storm:
When I wake up and before bed = morning stretch
One exercise when I turn the tv on, morning stretch again, would be easy
When I do the dishes = side kicks
When I sit at dining room table = seated up and down on chair
When I sit at computer = wrist exercises
When I am texting = head movement look to right, look to the left
When I brush my teeth = bended knee, foot circles, right leg then left leg
After I drink my coffee = stretch up and across, stretch down and across
When I check the mailbox = look to the right, drop head, look to the left, look up, look down
When I walk to and from the car = march! Lift that knee up! Hut 2, 3 ,4, Hut 2, 3, 4 (as my classmate suggested)
The neighbors will adjust to this sight! Or just maybe, they will start also. Tomorrow I have a hairdresser appointment. Now what can I do while I am waiting with those foils in my hair?
June 24, 2019
My new discovery this morning…log rhymes with blog. I have not been into blogging this week as my creative energies have been too absorbed with logging my food. I kind of got a head start of my first week on the Diabetes Prevention Program. In addition to just listing what I have been eating, I have been looking up the details of what I am consuming. This has been quite an eye opener.
Last week I found The Calorie King Calorie and Fat Counter at the used book sale at the YMCA for 25 cents. I grabbed it thinking it would come in handy. I have been dieting on and off all my life and thought I knew everything, but boy! When you take the time to write it down, and add the time of day, and be consistent, including the food in the evening while watching the TV (when you are too tired to log). It is a game changer!
July 3, 2019
So I was upstairs getting dressed on this Tuesday morning preparing to do a little shopping at Ace hardware and the doorbell rings. The doorbell never rings. Quick got to answer before they leave. Quick run down the stairs. At least I am dressed! Hurry up…quick, answer the door!
WAIT!!!!!
What did I learn in Balance class? Stop! I laughed to myself. It was just yesterday we talked about this exact scenario. Breathe…take your time. This is not a dire emergency or a race to the finish line. I really do not need to run down the steps.
So I caught myself and decided to slow down. I purposely walked a measured step with awareness. So I yelled, “I’m coming!” I called a few times as I stepped down the steps and across the living room. I opened the door and there were two ladies and a little girl handing me a pamphlet. Jehovah Witnesses. God bless them! It is 94 degrees out! I have not had their visit in 13 years.
I am thinking that the whole, “run when the bell rings” is a flash back from high school when the bell rang. Well high school was a long time ago. A bell ringing will be stirring up a new message to me now.