Our body is meant to be kept in movement to remain healthy. If you are able to move, and want to keep healthy, move it.
The Pain Free resource provides information on how a functional body works and how to restore a dysfunctional body to function and health.
The 3 "R's" of the Egoscue method: Rediscover the body's design; Restore function; Return to health.Pain Free (Egoscue Peter, 1998, p7) get book details (Egoscue Peter, 1998)
Move all the time, No Moderation
Our body, our machine, is made to move. Stop moving the machine and it will stop functioning.
Exercise Regularly Four days per week - 25mns walk [...] Flat ground or gentle hills [...] Walk so that you are gently puffing.
Go to the sports store and buy some proper walking shoes - comfortable, good support.
If you buy good shoes, they'll last you a long time. The Great Australian diet (Tickell John, 2008, p143)
get Book details (Tickell John, 2008)
Perseverance is the key: make exercising a part of your daily routine and it will soon become a regular, healthy, enjoyable habit.
Exercise in Moderation
No need to overdo it. You are likely to either damage your body or not last in the long run.
You mean ... you are not able to move any part of your body. If so, maybe you can get involved with others and get some fun from helping them to move, being there for them.
You mean ... some parts of your body can move but you feel it is too big a task - maybe not motivated, sluggish, or too big to move. Take it one step at a time, as long as you make progress.
I start by exercises laying in bed every morning to strengthen my pelvic floor muscles. The resource I used which worked perfectly for me is Women Waterworks. (Chiarelli Pauline, 2004)
get book details (Chiarelli Pauline, 2004) Time Commitment: 2 minutes.
Ideally early in the day, I stretch the body using the maintenance exercises from the book:
Pain Free (Egoscue Peter, 1998) get book details (Egoscue Peter, 1998) Over time I have added the use of a resistance rubber band for some of the arm stretches to combat the loss of muscle in the upper body. Again nothing strenuous, just 15 movements whilst laying on the floor and keeping the posture and breathing as described in the book. In doubt, always consult your medical allies.
Time Commitment: 20 minutes.
I try and walk whether morning or evening; it really depends on how I feel and on the weather conditions although I can adapt my clothing for most weather conditions.
Initially I used a wall calendar to write down each time I did not go for a daily walk. It helped develop the habit and it gave me a visual sense of my commitment.
Time Commitment: 20 minutes.
If there is another activity you would rather take up, add it to your schedule, make it part of your routine, and enjoy it.
e.g. Once a week we used to go on a long bike ride to get the heart rate going a little more and enjoy the scenery. This was also an enjoyable activity to do as a couple. e.g. I used to play tennis competitively, coached as an amateur in France, and I love the sport. I still enjoy feeling the strokes. So I may get a hit against the wall, or do some serves or have a drill if someone else doesn't mind. I enjoy drills and a good workout. e.g. I love swimming and dancing so these are occasional activities for me.
Find what works for you and enjoy it! In doubt, always consult your medical allies.