About Exercise

I suffered an incomplete spinal cord injury back in 2002. Since then, cardio exercise has been my biggest challenge...but I think I'm finally concurring it!

My injury affects my hamstrings mostly (they pretty much don't work at all)...but also my calves, hip flexors, glutes and adductors (all are extremely weak). I currently walk with a crutch but started off in a wheelchair...it's been a long road to get where I am today. I suffer from some pretty obnoxious hip pain (mostly on the right) because I walk in an unnatural way.

Several years ago I bought an elliptical that has sat in my home collecting modest amounts of dust for quite some time. I started really trying to use it this summer...logging about 4 minutes at a time before my quads (which over-compensate for my lack of hamstrings) would want to totally give out. When I started Atkins on March 2nd, I was still at 4 minutes per session...as of yesterday, I'm at 20! I’m at a level 1 with zero incline....so I have LOTS of room to build on once I master this. I can’t believe I’m at 20 minutes though! Pre injury, I could knock out 60 minutes...not sure if I’ll get there, but might as well try!

Another way I get my heart rate up is through upper body Tae Bo. I sit on my weight bench in front of a tv and do the upper body punches. I'm bored with it though...I don't like this particular video I have. I don't think Billy Blanks does a good job of balancing the workout on both sides of the body...so I get agitated. He'll work the heck out of the right side and totally skips the left for the same combo...annoys me. Sometimes I try just doing my own punch combo's while watching regular television, but I like having guided instruction to follow. I guess I should look for a new video.

I also have a Reebok Step from my pre-injury days. I use it now to try to train myself to climb steps again. That, in itself, is a workout since my legs just don't like doing it. I have it in front of my elliptical and I use the arm frame of the elliptical for my leverage/balance. I'll have to take a picture so you can see what I mean.

I do lots of arm stuff with currently only 3lb weights...but will be moving up to 5lbs soon. I had some serious triceps back in the wheelchair days, but that was a while ago now. I also do simple leg exercises...simple to able bodied people, insanely difficult for me...these get my heart rate up, too. I do knee lifts, I attempt hamstring curls...but really almost nothing happens, abductor sidekicks and squats...all while hanging onto something for dear life...I found a new use for my old walker in this little workout routine. I finish off every workout with 3 sets of 12 crunches and 2 sets of 12 each side oblique crunches. I used to do so many more...so I can’t wait to get my core strong again!

I’ve never in my life been able to do a push up...but I do wall-aways, which feel incredibly effective. I even did them when I was able-bodied. I highly recommend 3 sets of these, daily.

I did two very strenuous workouts over the weekend. I find during the week that if I don’t do them in the AM before work, I won’t do it...but getting up is hard. It’s getting easier...but I still struggle with it. Last week I think I managed to get up at least 2 times...that was awesome. Today...I slept in. But...after the tough workouts this weekend, I can give myself a one day pass. Tomorrow I’m shooting for 21minutes on that elliptical!