The MS Recovery Diet Continues

I am still on the MS Recovery Diet. I have loss about 10 pounds. I am pleased that I am losing weight. However, I am concerned about losing muscle. I am not an exerciser but I think the time has come to move forward with that requisite to achieve total recovery.  The diet is helping with the food sensitivities and digestion. Now it is time to start retraining my body to function physically. I can walk with a walker. I do use a power chair when I go on outings that require walking distances that I feel would be too tiring or time consuming. I walk at a very slow pace concentrating with each step. My right leg and foot are difficult to move with each step forward. The command to the brain is a mental chant; lift, kick, step forward and shift. My left leg moves normally for the most part. However, the average person has taken three steps to my one, without thinking! I have been told recently that I am walking faster and my posture is better. I think my posture may have improved.

In the book, "The MS Recovery Diet", by Ann D Sawyer and Judith E. Bachrach, there is a section on the importance of exercising. I highly recommend that you read this book. There is a lot of valuable information on MS and exercise that is addressed. But for me the first exercise, to roll over in bed, meant the most. Because, at the worst and most difficult days of MS, that was an impossibility.  The exercise is compared to a baby's first steps with basic movements, which seems logical. We all have seen a baby turns his head, focuses and then lifting the shoulders and turning it's body rolls over on the tummy and vice versa. But, remember these are exercises, so use caution and start with just a few attempts. Then gradually increase as you become more comfortable. Another word of caution, if you are on the bed, be sure you have room to roll and not fall off the bed. You may need someone to watch you at first. If no one is around, set up a barrier on the edge of the mattress or bed.
So, let's get rolling! Follow my progress, the goal is to crawl by the end of the month.