Starting an encouragement group!

[downday]

I need some real encouragement & incentives; thought maybe there are some out there with similar problems who can be of some great help. Looking to be of some encouragement to others also! Sometimes just sharing on a regular basis can be a very big help for people! So I decided to share my problems/issues & try to get on here as much as possible to share my daily incentives & struggles, whatever I may be going through at the time, hoping it will make me stop being so lazy!!!! Also hoping it will help do the same for others who are willing to share the same!
My story as quick as possible. I had a hip replacement 4 yrs. ago, it's doing great! I have arthritis in both knees & hips that hurt off & on. I have been exercising for 10 yrs. now & that is how I found Belly Dance & fell in love! So I exercise to BD video's hoping to some day learn a dance for my husband. The past year I hit Peri-Menopause & became extremely lazy, so have been struggling for a year to get back into exercising & improving my BD again! I did get good enough to actually believe I can do it!! Need to strengthen my whole body, but especially my left leg. Weak thighs makes it very difficult to keep up a good shimmy!
So there it is in a nut shell! If anyone can share there struggles & hurdles they have overcome, or are overcoming, or just need inspiration, please write! I would love to be pen pals, so to speak! Ideas on what we can do together as a group through Bhuz are very welcome!
Thank you!
Carolyn ,f::

[TheGreatKathyLori]

Hello Carolyn - welcome to the getting older club. I can use encouragement as well. I've been having some issues with my left knee, but I still make it to dance class each week. I have a sick, out of work husband, who is trying to get a PhD. I also work out of the house. So the two of us are around each other all day. Needless to say, it drives me batty every so often. My hope for the new year is that he gets well. I don't give a hoot about him getting a job or finishing that degree. If he doesn't get his health back, it's all for nothing.

[Lesgemini_Zafirah]

Thanks for doing this, Downday--This is wonderful! Yes, I can totally relate--I fell in love with the dance when I was turning 36, after desperately needing some sort of physical activity. Years of active & competitive martial arts had destroyed my right knee to the point of surgeries & resulted in a partial ACL for the rest of my life. Thank goodness for bellydance!!! Four years later and still very much in love w/the Dance... There are times, however, like today's snowy weather when the knee & other joints ache (gosh, I sound like an "'ole timer"!:)) and it's hard to motivate my body even when in my mind I'm very gung-ho about practicing and unleashing my creativity ,r:;

[Fotia]

I agree with you both - good health is priceless. I hope both your husbands get well soon.

There was a time in my life for a five year period where every time I went to a doctor I ended up in the hospital for surgery. In fact, every time I went past the hospital I started to shake, thinking I was going to end up there again. I felt totally out of control and vulnerable.

So yes, I know what having good health is like because you can't buy it at all. Here's to good health to all of us.

[downday]

Hello Carolyn - welcome to the getting older club. I can use encouragement as well. I've been having some issues with my left knee, but I still make it to dance class each week. I have a sick, out of work husband, who is trying to get a PhD. I also work out of the house. So the two of us are around each other all day. Needless to say, it drives me batty every so often. My hope for the new year is that he gets well. I don't give a hoot about him getting a job or finishing that degree. If he doesn't get his health back, it's all for nothing.

Thank you so much for sharing! Yes I do feel like I belong to the getting older club! Gotta belong to something, huh? It's obvious you care deeply about your husband & what he is going through! I'm truly sorry about the trouble! This too will pass. I will pray for a quick recovery for your husband & for your knee! Cudo's to you for keeping up with your classes! Take it from me, if you quite, your knee will only get worse! If you don't already, I would strongly suggest doing leg strengthening exercises.
I intend to exercise tomorrow, so I will post if I do or don't. Kinda an accountability thing! Maybe if I know I have to post it, I will want to post good news, not dissappointing news!
Let me know if there is anything you need extra encouragement in! I am here for you! Any help I can give I will gladly do! Keep me posted on your progress! I know there will be lots of it!

[downday]

Thanks for doing this, Downday--This is wonderful! Yes, I can totally relate--I fell in love with the dance when I was turning 36, after desperately needing some sort of physical activity. Years of active & competitive martial arts had destroyed my right knee to the point of surgeries & resulted in a partial ACL for the rest of my life. Thank goodness for bellydance!!! Four years later and still very much in love w/the Dance... There are times, however, like today's snowy weather when the knee & other joints ache (gosh, I sound like an "'ole timer"!:)) and it's hard to motivate my body even when in my mind I'm very gung-ho about practicing and unleashing my creativity ,r:;

Your very welcome! Thank you for posting! Wow, competetive martial arts! That's awesome! Sorry about your knee! I know how devastating set-backs are! To go from being so active & healthy to surgeries is very upsetting! I'm so glad you do not have a give up attitude! Belly dance can be the one thing to keep us all sane I think! I feel your pain, I too feel like an old timer! I fight with my own mind too! My mind won't let me give up & tells me I am an exerciser & will soon be a belly dancer (even if not pro)! If I give up those thoughts, I will give up completely! Which has brought me here! The fear! Maybe when your knee aches, you can do some light exercises & stretches! That seems to really help my knees & hips! If I go too long without it, I really hurt! So it's stupid of me not to! I workout at home, so no excuses for me!
Please keep in touch, I would love to hear progress! I will post tomorrow if I exercise or not, keep me in line, I pray! ..g.:

[downday]

I agree with you both - good health is priceless. I hope both your husbands get well soon.

There was a time in my life for a five year period where every time I went to a doctor I ended up in the hospital for surgery. In fact, every time I went past the hospital I started to shake, thinking I was going to end up there again. I felt totally out of control and vulnerable.

So yes, I know what having good health is like because you can't buy it at all. Here's to good health to all of us.

Thank you for sharing! I too know about multiple surgeries! It can get to be overwhelming! Sounds like you are doing better now. Good for you, proud of you for staying with it! I agree, here's to good health! ..l;,

[downday]

..c:: Well, I hate to admit, but I did not exercise today! I did order a new BD video & it's on it's way, so hopefully I will start a new week & not let anything get in my way! If anyone has any ideas to get me motivated, I'm all ears! Thank you!
Carolyn