Walking/pilates & not doing the gym: How much fitness can you achieve?

**SemperFi** · 11-27-2010, 05:46 PM

Hi Ruth,
I didn't have the proposed two level ADR or hybrid surgery recommended for me back in '03 and then '06 because I started to feel better (two spine surgeries with one in '82 and one in '89 that failed very badly) so the thing about how much fitness can one achieve I think is very individualized depending on good one feels and what one can do w/o aggravating spine or other probs.

Several years ago after not being able to do anything nearly in terms of exercise for many years I worked my way up into the world of walking again for fitness. I trimmed down and went below my ideal weight to 102 lbs for my 5'2" petite frame and was really quite a walker with very little back pain however I incurred bilateral posterior tibial tendonitis and plantar fasciitis so the feet became quite problematic and slowed down my full throttle walking progress. Now I'm "Ok" and still walk 3-4 x/day tho only once is what I consider a "good walk" and I do some core exercises which I've done for years tho nothing like what i used to do.

Hopefully you'll achieve whatever you want to as long as you don't exaccerbate any spinal probs and/or any other joint or system probs. I've always had some knee/low back probs and then along the way of hanging out with my bad back I developed a bad neck and now it's the bad feet and I guess I'm just aging so I try to do what I can to remain in shape and continue to be fit.

I'm not extreme in any type of activity or exercise and if I can walk daily with my dog I conside that to be quite good for me a least on an aerobic level and then I do some Core strengthening exercises for which I prefer to use the stabiliy balL tho am sure you can find something that will help you maintain your level of fitness whatever it might be that you can endure, tolerate and/or achieve! Good luck and please keep us posted! Maria

**ajj1001** · 12-18-2010, 12:23 PM

Originally Posted by Ruth

I bought mine online from a walking shop in Keswick in the Lake District:

Yaktrax WALKER Ice Grips - The Keswick Boot Company

Mine had their first proper test today, i've been out in a bit of slippy frost but we have a few inches of snow which cars have compacted on driveways so its very skiddy. I have put them on my old ski boots, bit of a tight fit as I'm at the top end of the size scale. I felt very secure and a lot more confident going out in them. Actually I wouldn't have left the house for my little walk if I hadn't had them.

**dalhousie** · 12-18-2010, 02:38 PM

Originally Posted by ajj1001

Mine had their first proper test today, i've been out in a bit of slippy frost but we have a few inches of snow which cars have compacted on driveways so its very skiddy. I have put them on my old ski boots, bit of a tight fit as I'm at the top end of the size scale. I felt very secure and a lot more confident going out in them. Actually I wouldn't have left the house for my little walk if I hadn't had them.

I put it on FB but I went out for the 1st time in mine today & felt so safe walking in the snow/ice which is a few inches as with you. I've got the pro's & put mine on my trainers but, due to the fact they're a size 8 to accommodate my socks, I went for the medium (which is the bottom end of the size scale) but they are quite a tight fit. Money well spent in my opinion.

**ajj1001** · 12-18-2010, 03:12 PM

i think the small said up to size 7 but I am wide 5 1/2 so have size 6 shoes (room for my orthotics as well) and they are quite difficult to get on. They are a must have for anyone doing winter walking as part of rehab or continuing fitness. Looking forward to being able to go out on stinky days from now. I have all the clothes from skiing!