Rowing machines are great exercise, it’s just that because gyms put them out on the floor, people don’t learn the proper way to use them. I was guilty of that myself until my kids started to row.
To protect your shoulder while swimming, you might try fins. I’ve battled with rotator cuff issues and then a broken collarbone and the fins take the load off your shoulder. I was a masters swimmer for many years so it pisses me off when I can’t swim :). I have also found that the stroke that hurts the least is back stroke, especially if you’re very careful about how you place your hand in the water. Of course, your shoulder issues are probably not the same as mine, but those two things have helped me. I’m slowly integrating freestyle back into my repertoire.
Yes, Bogie…it’s tough. I did get fins last fall. The foot issues limit my work with those. I can barely get a couple laps but I guess that is a place to start. It’s a bummer to get all wet for a couple laps but one does have to start somewhere. Current weak spots…arthritic right shoulder, arthritic left knee, carpal tunnel in left wrist and the recurrent foot problem. I wish I could afford a private trainer that would work with me and not just call me a wimp. Ah well, like I say, not ready to hang it all up:no:.
I did ride ride my horse today:D. 51F today…not going to pass that up in early January (normal high is low-mid 30’s).
I hear you! When I was recovering from breaking my left ankle and right knee I did a lot of PT in the pool – water walking, exercises, etc. It’s tough if you don’t have a place with shallow lanes because it’s really good if you think you might fall over. In terms of fins, the really short ones, like zoomers, are the easiest to get used to because they give you some extra push but they don’t stress your feet/ankles as much. It’s real balancing act to figure out how to get stronger without hurting something else!
I just got a flyer for Community Education and there is an aquatic arthritis exercise class. Just one day a week but I think this facility has a warm:yes: “therapy” pool separate from the main swimming pool. I think I will give that a whirl to get things rolling.
I used to eat a lot of hard candy. LOTS. And a lot of pasta. I figured because there was not fat, I would not gain, but I found that I couldn’t eat nearly as much “real” food and maintain my weight. When I cut out the sugar/simple carbs, I was able to eat a lot more real food (veggies, fruit, meat, cheese) and even lose weight. Crazy.
What works for me when trying to lose weight is cutting out bread and bread products, pasta, and sweets. But then my DH comes home with fresh baked baguette and I cave in!
