Can you believe!!

Last night, we went outside to see the space station fly over and as I walked out into the yard I was watching to make sure I did not run into the punching bag for my DS in the tree and instead tripped over the wooden slats my DH left laying in the yard. Banged my left knee and my arm kind of hurt from trying to catch myself. Well, can you believe today, I was mowing the lawn and stopped so I could go in and get a drink of water and caught my foot on the cement slab in front of our back deck and tripped and down on my right knee I went. I had an immediate lump come up on my knee and I bawled like a baby!!! It seems to be okay now, and I can walk on it but it sure is sore. It was a beautiful day today and I was going to go on a bike ride after I was done with the lawn but that didn't happen.

I just cannot believe how clumbsy I am. I mean is anyone else this clumbsy? My husband is always giving me a hard time about not watching where I walk. About two years ago, I fell off the back porch and landed on my back and had quite the ugly bruise across my lower back and tail bone, and my hip.
I just seem to have more than my share of clumbsy accidents.
:rolleyes:

Anyway, just thought I would throw it out there and see if I have any clumbsy sisters out there?

Ow Donna!

Well for one thing I didn't know anybody else went out to watch the space station. I thought that was just something my DH dragged me out to do (although I have to admit it's kinda cool especially when the shuttle just undocked and was flying right behind it).

But ya - a few months ago someone started a thread about all people's accidental injuries - with me, forget about it. I've ALWAYS got bruises, bumps and scratches, and it's not because I bruise easily either :rolleyes:

Just be careful out there on your bike.

You are definitely not the only clumsy one. I constantly have otherwispe perfectly stationary objects jump out at me unexpectedly. I walk into doorframes, tables, trip down stairs on a near daily basis. It's a wonder I haven't had any more serious injuries.

Not sure if this counts as clumsy, it's that or one of my cats tried to kill me...

This morning I was heading from the livingroom down the hall (in semi-darkness) when I saw white bits on the carpet. So I was reaching with my right hand for the hall light on the left side, when I noticed that the white bits moved and my feet were connecting with my 17 lb black cat, who has white toes. So I crash into the hall closet door knob, and twist my knee on the way down. Herald, the cat, usually heads back to my bed after he eats breakfast to get away from Callie (the new cat). I have no idea why he decided to lounge in the middle of the hall. Now his feelings are hurt because I kicked him. Either that or I scared him from the crashing and yelling.

One other disclaimer. I have permanent vertigo from an old head injury. So I have trouble keeping my balance in low light. Long ago I learned to cope with the problem, but when I do actually loose my balance the results usually aren't pretty.

Donna, you need to start doing balance exercises. Stand on one foot, lift the other... switch feet. This is something you can do while standing in line waiting to pay for groceries. As we get older our balance deteriorates if we don't do anything about it. And your weight isn't helping any. You could have still gone for a little ride!

Oh, Donna, I hope you put ice on your knee!

After a head injury, I had to be really careful because I would knock into things. I dealt with it (and continue to) by consciously being in the moment. When I walk, I walk consciously--I focus on my walking. When I eat, same thing (slows down eating and helps with weight control, by the way). When I mow the lawn, I mow consciously.

It takes practice. That's what it is, a practice. Try it and see how it works.

I tried to put ice on it, but it made it ache and throb worse.

No way could I ride Mimi, it was to painful to bend it. Once I bent it and left it I was fine, and once I straightened it and then left it, I was fine, but the in between motion was horrible.

It is much better this morning, it still hurts a little when I move it certain ways, but it is better. I am finishing the mowing and I'm not going up the back steps, LOL.

I will try what you said Mimi, and your right the weight doesn't help, and it certainly doesn't help the damage because the bigger you are the harder you fall.
I have always been clumsy though, since I was a kid. My sister came over yesterday and she said I was bringing back to many memories to her about me tripping over things and running into walls as a kid.

Anyway, I will hopefully be able to go on a ride today even though it is a bit windy, after I finish the mowing.

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Originally Posted by DDH

Anyway, I will hopefully be able to go on a ride today even though it is a bit windy, after I finish the mowing.

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I think your DS should mow the lawn while you go for a bike ride. On second thought, he can mow the lawn while you rest your knee and do the balance exercises. Then, when you feel better, you can go for a bike ride (but he should be mowing the lawn, IMNSHO!)

First, ouch!!! I made a stupid move on Saturday that ended up with an icepack on my right knee--my "good" knee!--so I can relate. It depends on how you've injured it, but most of my knee injuries respond best to good old RICE.

Second, tree pose is good for working on balance--and you can do it pretty much anytime you find yourself standing somewhere. I sometimes do it behind the podium in classes when I'm just lecturing.

The book Strong Women, Strong Bones (or words to that effect) by Miriam Nelson has some good balance exercises in it. Be sure you're getting enough calcium, too, so you're not endangering your bones.

Well, I must not have hurt it to badly, I have finished the lawn and I just got off of a 2 mile walk/run on my treadmill. Thanks goodness, it didn't give out on me at all and it did not hurt. If I over extend it or kick a little then it hurts, and I have a lump to the right and below my knee cap, but it's probably just bruised and I am fine. Sure did hurt like the dickens yesterday though.

I cannot balance on one leg anymore. I used to be able to stand like a stork forever and I tried and I can't anymore. Is it the weight???

Put some arnica gel on it. Makes the swelling & bruising go away faster.

it's because you haven't been balancing! you can improve your sense of balance, keep practicing.

Mountain Pose!!!

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Originally Posted by Velobambina

Put some arnica gel on it. Makes the swelling & bruising go away faster.

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what the heck is that? Seriuously, I haven't a clue. :confused:

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Originally Posted by DDH

what the heck is that? Seriuously, I haven't a clue. :confused:

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arnica

Usually available at whole foods type stores. I've never tried it, but I've heard good things:)

I always have some new bruise that I can't account for. I blame it on the dogs.:rolleyes:

Carpets also tend to reach up and grab my feet.

Mmmmm, yes, you can DEFINITELY improve your balance by working on it, and we all definitely lose the ability when we don't work on it.

Most of the balance programs are directed toward seniors, but why wait until poor balance is literally life-threatening, when we can prevent it earlier in life? Anyhow this site has descriptions and illustrations of some basic balance exercises. Tree pose takes some hip flexibility, and Mountain is a little advanced for a beginner IMO.

A couple of things the site doesn't mention, but I find helpful: engage your lower abdominal muscles - imagine zipping up a tight pair of pants. Then imagine that you're hanging from the ceiling by a string attached to the crown of your head. Those two moves will help bring your spine into neutral, where your body is naturally balanced.

In the beginning, you'll want to find a steady focal point for your eyes. Something on a wall in front of you, between waist and eye level. Don't look in a mirror, as this can throw you off. As you progress, you'll advance to doing the exercises with your eyes closed, and looking at moving objects.

Hope the knee's feeling better! HTH!

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Originally Posted by CA_in_NC

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arnica

Usually available at whole foods type stores. I've never tried it, but I've heard good things:)

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Arnica gel and ointment are great for bruises. It's used extensively in Europe, and is available here in health food stores. The most common brand is Boiron--Swiss, I think. It'll make your bruises (and aches--I need some for my shoulder!) go a way in no time. I like the gel better than the ointment.

We work on a lot of balance in boot camp. One of my favorites it what the guys call "balance bird". Called that because of the little dipping bird toys that you can buy. http://science.howstuffworks.com/question608.htm

Center your weight on one leg, and then hinge at the hips, back straight, raising your other leg out behind you, reaching your arms towards the floor. Form is more important than how far you go. The goal is to be able to reach the floor eventually, at a comfortable tempo. We usually do 20 on each leg to start. You will fall over some at first. It does help to focus your eyes on a particular spot.

We also do standing leg lifts to work on balance. Just stand on one leg and raise your other leg straight out to the side, at tempo. Go as high as you can without losing your balance, for 20. Switch legs.

I couldn't do 5 Balance Birds in a row when I started boot camp 6 months ago. Now I can do them all day, and my balance is much much improved.

Karen

I like "Balance Bird" a lot better than "One-Legged Straight Leg Deadlift"! But again, I'd call that a pretty advanced move.

Another thing: when beginning, do the exercises wearing shoes on a hard flat floor. Advance to barefoot, and to squishy and/or uneven surfaces like deep carpet or a folded yoga mat.

I don't really get hurt that much*knocks on wood* but i am quite clumsy and frequently walk into traffic without looking.:p
(seriously)

Balance bird is quite adaptable to any fitness level. Just don't go so far down or lift your leg so high.

I agree with you about the shoes, too.

Karen