Julian’s Progress

It has been some time since I posted an update, but I waned to wait until I had something interesting to share. I have had a good summer, with some travel to Toronto and Niagara-On-The-Lake. I also celebrated my 6oth birthday with a number of friends.

I have also started working out at the downtown YMCA. I go to the gym twice a week, each time for an hour and a half. I also have been joining Suzanne for aquafit once a week. Helen Neves, from the YMCA, has prepared a wonderful exercise program for me there, and together we are working on improving all my muscles, as well as getting me to walk with fewer and fewer aids.

Yesterday Suzanne took a whole bunch of little videos, which I am sharing with the world. There are 22 of them, but most of them are less than a minute long.

First I stand up and walk a little without using any technical aids — no walker, and no canes.

Next I start walking down a long ramp, not holding on as much as possible.

Now I go back up, without holding on.

Now I walk down the ramp, as quickly as possible, using the bars to maintain my balance. I am always trying to maintain a good heel-and-toe movement. This is something which I am trying to teach my brain to do.

Now I go back up, again as quickly as I can.

Now we try walking backwards. This is really difficult, since I have to use muscles I rarely use. First we go downhill,

and then we go uphill.

Now we take a short walk to the gym. This is what they call a Techno-Gym.

Once I have checked in, I am ready to get on the treadmill. We start slowly, and eventually build up to a faster pace.

Here we go…

I like to fool around a lilttle while walking; it helps the time pass. All in all, I do about 12 minutes on the treadmill.

Walking along.

Now we pick up the pace a bit.

After all that walking (about 20 minutes in the hallway and on the treadmill) it is time to work some other muscles, in my upper body and my core. There are a number of machines I use to work on specific muscles.

I can now walk from one machine to the next.

Working on the upper body.

More exercises.

On to the next exercise.

I also do some execises standing up. This helps with both my strength and my balance.

We are also working on strengthening specific muscles in my legs by doing step exercises…

and more step exercises.

Near the end I also work on my back as well.

I generally finish this off with some balance exercises and some stretches.