Getting Stronger

Today, I did more than yesterday.

Today, I lifted five pounds directly overhead with my left arm – fifteen times.  Until today, I had only complete ten reps with the five pounder.  With that same arm I moved a four pound weight from my outside hip, across my stomach, upwards and outwards overhead, then dropped it down to my shoulder (as if carrying a tray of food on my shoulder).  I did that movement fifteen times.  Two weeks ago, I struggled doing the same with a three pound weight.  That might not seem astonishing, unless you know that I’m nearly sixty years old and I had a total shoulder replacement surgery on that arm on July 29, 2019.

Today, I did fifteen reps each of six different arm curl positions (including straight out to my sides) while holding a six pound weight in that same left arm, and a three pound weight in my right hand.   I had a second total shoulder replacement surgery on my right arm on October 30, 2019.   That was just sixteen weeks ago.

Today, I jogged in place in my therapy pool.  I was wearing a four pound weight on each ankle, a four pound weight in my left hand and a two pound weight in my right hand.  Up until today, I had used a three pound weight in my left arm.  For the first 200 steps I swung the hand weights down at my sides in typical jogging arm movements.  For the second 200 steps, I pumped my arms directly out in front of me, with the backs of my hands facing upwards. For the third 200 steps, I bent forward, held my elbows in place and swung the hand weights backwards then down to my side.  And, for the forth 200 steps, I punched the weights directly in front of me, with the dumbbell ends facing upwards.  Then, I repeated those four arm swinging positions – 200 reps each.  That’s 1600 steps. It took me about 17 minutes to complete. That is a little over a half second per arm swing/ leg lift.  Two days ago, I completed 1400 steps, last week I accomplished 1000. 

In the relative stillness I cheer myself.  Then, Lucy the Blue Fronted Parrot asks, “Whatcha doin’?”

I am getting stronger.