Can you believe!!

[bmccasland]

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.

[mimitabby]

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!

[tulip]

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.

[DDH]

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.

[tulip]

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

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!)

[Bad JuJu]

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.

[DDH]

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???

[Velobambina]

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

[mimitabby]

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