Typical day:
30 minutes on the treadmill working on stride and gait. I also try to push myself cardio-wise, but since my right foot isn't quite cooperative, I don't try to be too speedy. I've created a channel on Pandora that's mostly the right tempo (originally used it for boxing practice). I can hear if I'm stepping heel-toe and if I start dragging my feet. My wonderful husband set up an old computer and monitor so that I can watch videos (youtube has lots of videos that work with treadmills). I'm always dealing with a little cognitive dissonance - I would not be able to walk down the rim trail on the Grand Canyon which is very bumpy - but the difference between what I see and what I feel forces me to focus, so it's a good thing. Not boring at all, thanks to the videos. My stride is longer and stronger, and I find that I'm leaving my cane places because I forget it!
Unless I have boxing, 30 minutes on the NuStep, an elliptical, but a recumbent elliptical, so it's not hard on your knees. I used this in my old gym and love it. I can see the youtube videos from the NuStep so I'm not bored. I can just use my feet, just use my arms, or use both. This is my serious cardio workout for the day. Pricey but worth every dime.
Voice and swallow exercises 2-3 times a day, usually in the car. Why the car? Because the voice exercises make my dog howl (maybe he thinks I'm in pain).
Leg strengthening exercises like squats that I got from my PT. I do these throughout the day, when I'm waiting for the dog to pee, brushing my teeth, and so on.
Balance that includes some Tai Chi - 3-4 times a week. I have a DVD (Jane Adams - Balance & Strength Exercises for Seniors).
Rock Steady Boxing - 3 times a week. This is exercise, support, friendship, and sweat. Favorite times of the week.
When I stop work in June, I hope to add dance, maybe a Tai Chi class, maybe a water movements class.
NuStep image from Amazon.com.
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