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JEM74
JEM74

Having spent the last two years living a sedentary and fairly reclusive lifestyle because of the severe pain in both hips- I now have two new hips obtained over the last five months-, four weeks after the second THR and I am finding it hard to break old habits. I feel that I should be out and about enjoying my new-found relatively pain-free existence, walking lots as prescribed but it doesn't seem to happen. How do I break this mind-set?

0 likes, 17 replies

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  • auntiebeanie
    auntiebeanie JEM74

    Posted

    Hi Jem, sorry to hear your having problems, but you have been suffering for some time. I think you have to think positively and talk yourself into it.  You said yourself it is a mindset, so if you say today I am going out of the house and walking to the corner of the road or walk to a lampost if that seems too much then just going outside and walk up and down your drive if you have one.  I was in alot of pain after my hip replacement, I discovered later was nerve pain, however, I pushed myself  to go out of the house each day and walk around my road, every day I passed 3 houses more till I did the whole road. Sometimes, I stopped for a breather but I did it. You will soon find that you are ready to go further. xx
  • RichardKen
    RichardKen JEM74

    Posted

    Dear Jem

    I would just concentrate on walking really well and you should naturally become less reclusive as you get your physical side back to normal.

    Enjoy your freedom!

    Cheers Richard

  • dorothy04749
    dorothy04749 JEM74

    Posted

    Hi Jem

    not knowing too much about you, I can only offer my experience, to just walk for the sake of it is not my default position, more watching television.  So in order to get myself out doing the steps, I go window or food shopping.  Just my local Tesco store is 2500 steps, walking up and down the aisles and any shopping centre e.g. Lakeside, Westfield, or even Department stores keeps you warm and offers those steps again. Even if you cannot afford anything it is great to see the latest fashions, you can have your face made up at the cosmetic section, spray the latest perfumes, etc.  It is not for everyone but it gets me out and any ideas are better than none.  Ps if you need a rest, go to the changing rooms there are always seats there too....

    regards dot

  • Dav1953
    Dav1953 JEM74

    Posted

    Jem

    I was scared to walk much after my first thr

    so i went along with wife to grocery store & used cart as walker till I felt confident. Them walked around on my own

    Your going just have to go for it

    Great luckl hope the pain stays away !!

    Luv to all

    David

  • lyn1951
    lyn1951 JEM74

    Posted

    Jem - Oh you hit a nerve there, I am still struggling 2 years down the road, have had a hard time with ruptered disc in back, post hip replacement, in the same boat as you, unable to walk due to 2 stuffed hips and then the spine went just to compound my problems.

    Find something you enjoy doing, you will have to pace yourself for a start, build up muscles that you havn;t used in a long time, so don;t go to hard for a start.

    For me it has been swimming in the local heated pool, great bunch of fellow hippies also doing their exercises, also have been starting with the garden, very slowly, which I havn;t been able to do for a long time.

    Best wishes from a fellow double hippie

  • leah35183
    leah35183 JEM74

    Posted

    Hi,

    It's easy to get discouraged when changing old habits. Have you considered getting a small dog?  My brother had a spine problem, and only went out to medical appointments.  He never had a dog before, but got a small dog and that has changed his life.  He is always taking the dog for walks, and has to get up earlier to take care of him.

    • RichardKen
      RichardKen leah35183

      Posted

      Dear Leah

      An excellent idea for both company and helping to get you up in the morning and throughout the day. For those who have not had a dog it is wonderful to Open the door and to treated with such enthusiasm always without fail! It's also fun to teach them words that they respond to. I had one who responded to about thirty which made really good communications. They were also working dogs.

      Up until a couple of years I always had dogs around me and they are great for making new friends when out and about.

      Cheers Richard

  • debhip7.6.17
    debhip7.6.17 JEM74

    Posted

    As a dog person, I love the dog idea smile

    I'm 17 days post op and I FORCE my walk every day. I set a farther landmark Goal each time. My dog is not a "puller" or "chaser" at all so I'm confident bringing her with me.

    Good luck.

  • renee01952
    renee01952 JEM74

    Posted

    dear Jem, 

    warm welcome to our  forum where we share personal experiences and stories ..

    it is not easy to give an answer to your question .. do you live alone ? how about family and friends ?

    I know what you mean, though --I live alone in a rural area somewhere in the Netherlands  after 34 years of living in Los Angeles - I don't remember how I got here redface - I live alone, no friends or family - well, one girlfriend who sort of is the reason why I am here ...

    I found/find it very hard to get out too --- I had 2 THR surgeries 6 months apart and basically was left on my own -- on hindsight I think I was in survival mode and had the help of a lot of Angels !!!

    Living where I live right now is great when you love the forest - but that is it ... no stores or anything close by which makes walking unappealing - no cars permitted in the bungalowpark ...

    Unfortunately the voice in your head is blocking you from moving .. I have a similar voice, telling me that it is okay to hang out and chill - tomorrow is another day ...

    So, I can't tell you anything that you don't already know ....

    JUST DO IT , and if not, don't beat yourself up for that ... will make you feel worse -

    You are the only one who can do it, darling --- 

    However,  I am volunteering in a Senior  Citizen Centre 10 hours a week ( 2days)-

    I did not know anybody --

    would that be something you like to do ?

    take care and good luck - you will be fine..

    big warm hug

    renee 

     

    • RichardKen
      RichardKen renee01952

      Posted

      Dear Renee

      Having read again Jem's posting I got the feeling that it was not that she wanted to move, rather that she felt that she was in a 'rut' so to speak, but perhaps I've got that all wrong!

      I found your story very interesting as I seem to have gone the other way. I moved (for romantic reasons) from an amazing place in the hills where my work and life had been for nearly forty years where my nearest neighbour was a mile away and out of view. The nearest proper shops were eight miles away

      My new home is a very small modern semi on an architecturally unusual estate on the edge of a small town by the sea with shops and facilities less than a mile away. So very different but sometimes one does have to be prepared to move out of one's comfort zone and make a fresh start <VBG>

      All the best to you and everyone here.

      Richard

    • renee01952
      renee01952 RichardKen

      Posted

      Actually, what I meant is how hard it was/is for me to find motivation to get out for "just" a walk by my self and maybe it would have been easier for me to have shops or a coffee shop or something within walking distance - 

      I know it is an excuse not to do what I should do, but still -

      People come here to walk, for goodness sake rolleyes - 

    • RichardKen
      RichardKen renee01952

      Posted

      Dear Renee

      I find it hard to just go out for a walk for exercise just for the sake of it and need a reason such as to check the sheep or to let the dogs play or to visit my neighbour.

      Cheers Richard

  • kaura
    kaura JEM74

    Posted

    Hi Jem, I have a suggestion probably coming from who I am (a doggy person) what about getting a small dog, a rescue not a puppy, then you have to get outside, not for you but for the dog. I have always have dogs, for the moment a little mutt, who for nearly 2 years looked at me with big eyes "can we can we can we not go for a walk?" and all that time I had to say no, but now 8 weeks post op, I take her out first time just down the road, now all the way around the block. Just a suggestion, it also helps with loneliness. Get out there girl go for a walk - hugs take care

    • renee01952
      renee01952 kaura

      Posted

      Oh kaura, what a brilliant idea --- maybe even foster a doggie ...

      I never thought about that ...now I have a cat !!!!!

  • JEM74
    JEM74

    Posted

    Dear Everyone

    Thank you so much for all of your advice. I think my problem is that I have to break out of my " safe place" and find the confidence to venture out alone again. I have close family and friends but tend to resist asking for too much help as they're all busy people. However maybe I will arrange a few short outings to the local park/ high street and rediscover the enjoyment of simple "safe" pursuits and slowly build up my confidence in that vast outside space!

    Thanks again for your support.

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