Welcome Fall! September Motivation!! Let’s get rid of any COVID-19 weight gain and lift our spirits!
The world is still struggling with the pandemic. Some states are doing better than others with their numbers. Maryland has a firm grip on it right now and I hope we continue this way as fall and winter approach. We are now in Phase 3, per the governor; however, every county chooses what level they are comfortable with. So how many of you are getting out a bit now? Maybe for a walk, the store, even a bike ride for those that have mastered that. There is an upcoming event on October 4th in the DC area where you can go and learn or practice your skills on a bike. You can find more information by emailing amputeecyclingdc@gmail.com . I’ll be there along with one of our practitioners, Becca Frost.
So has anyone noticed a little weight gain from their stay at home? I know I have! I decided I needed to get moving. Weight fluctuations can cause a lot of discomfort for amputees. The swelling causes our sockets to fit too tight and can cause us pressure wounds and pain, so weight management is so important for a healthy limb. Sudden sedentary situations can also cause underlying medical conditions to worsen as well. So our game plan this month is to get moving!!
No matter what your limb situation is, there is way to increase your activities. There are a lot of great videos on YouTube, as well as online support groups that do exercises via Zoom. Try looking on your television services provider, as the streaming apps like Roku offer everything from Yoga to Pilates to Zumba. The most important thing before staritng any exercise or diet regime is to consult your physician. Many doctors are doing in home tele-visits if you can’t get out to see them.
My regime now consists of riding my spin bike 30 minutes a day. In the beginning it was hard getting back up on the horse - as they say! I am also eating smarter. I never “diet”, I just modify the amounts of food I eat and limit my snacks to healthy ones. There are now healthy food lines that cater to all dietary restrictions so you can choose your own healthy path. I have a small dog so I am able to get some good walks in with him, so Paco at 15 years old is getting healthier too! I would love to hear from you about what you are doing to stay healthier during the pandemic.
So let’s all make a commitment to not let this pandemic cause us any setbacks in our health and activity level. In order to fight this pandemic, we need to rest, eat right, and protect both our physical health and mental health so that we all come out stronger from this. Exercising the mind is as important as the body and we don’t want to let this get us down. Let’s make sure, “The only thing falling is the leaves from the trees.” That is my personal mantra I made up to remind me to stay safe.
Labor day hiking adventures!
My walking partner!
Remember these powerful words!
“If you can't fly then run, if you can't run then walk, if you can't walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.”
― Martin Luther King Jr.
These tips are informed suggestions. If you do not feel comfortable with them, please do not attempt them. Instead as always contact your medical professional or your prosthetist for help and advice.
If you have a question for me about living as an amputee, ask! And if I don’t know the answer, I will find it for you, and I will leave no stone unturned to help you find your own personal new normal. If there is a topic you would like me to feature please let me know! I want us all to grow strong together. Email me at Dawn@dankmeyer.com. This email is not secure, so if you wish to keep any specific health information private, you should call us!
Dawn Miranda recently joined Dankmeyer, Inc. as a Prosthetist Assistant after relocating from San Antonio, TX. To read more about Dawn on our Clinical Staff page, click here.