Tuesday, November 29, 2022

Lipedema and Kneeling Pain

After last week’s burpees post I have received numerous questions asking me how I can kneel (because Lipedema can make kneeling incredibly painful).

Over the years I’ve gotten better at being able to kneel, but when I started it was excruciating for me, too, and to help I would pull the cushions off the couch and kneel on those. I also used the sturdy furniture in the living room to help pull myself up.

Gradually it got more bearable, and I got stronger in my core and upper body,too, which helps a lot. Then I transitioned to the dojo and would use a crash pad or stacks of mats, until another dojo had to borrow them, and I moved to the floor (which is also covered in mats).

When we are outside I rely on a yoga mat. The thicker the better, and this one from @gaiam (called the essential) is the thickest one I can find. And you can fold it on itself for even more layers.

Other options I’ve seen, but haven’t tried are these silicone yoga jelly knee pads, and this exercise balance pad by @prosourcefit which can be used to make yoga poses more challenging, but also as a cushion for sitting, kneeling, etc.

Kneeling mats are everywhere, you can find them geared towards gardening, or even the auto garage! 

Some of these may still be too hard, so you might have to get creative. 

What these pads/mats/cushions all have in common is they help to dissipate the pain. Just like trying to use more of my shin when the pain gets to intense on the knee.

Do you use anything for cushioning when kneeling?

Friday, November 25, 2022

Burpee Breakdown: Lipedema Fitness

Coach wrote the Saturday workout post. It was one word. BURPEES.

Imagine getting almost no sleep, and waking up to the alarm to read the workout is burpees 😳 my body was so tired. 

The “we should stay home” thoughts were growing louder. 

I always break down the task when that voice starts chiming in… brush my teeth, couple of yoga poses, do the first ten minutes of vibration plate, do the second ten minutes of vibration plate, get your compression on. Do the warm up. Do the workout. 

And what a workout, we did Tabata burpees (3) 6 minute rounds, first slow, then faster, then even faster.

I did the first six minutes as prescribed, the slower pace let me be able to get down and up off the floor in time. The second and third rounds were on the plyo box. The plyo box has multiple sides, each a different height, so you can play around with intensity by adjusting the height.

I was glad I made it to the workout. I might still take a nap later, but very glad I made the effort, and breaking down the steps got me there.

Even if I couldn’t do the workout, getting through the warmup would have been good, or getting the self care in would have been good, etc. - only we know what we are capable of. 

Some days staying in bed and getting the much needed rest is the best thing we can do for ourselves. Other days we might need to break down the steps, and get through what we can, and other days we wake up ready to go.

Happy weekend!

#lipedemafitness