Do more with silicon and squats
This week feels like this weird in-between. I’m 6-ish weeks out from my lumbar fusion surgery and two weeks out from my follow up with the doctor and lifting of restrictions. Most days, I feel great. I’m working and able to do some house kinds of things — I’m so proficient with the reacher-grabber I’d like to recommend to its manufacturers oven-safe silicon on the insides of the claw.
Now, before my mom gets herself all worked up, this really is a genius idea for removing a cookie sheet from the oven when you are unable to bend. And that way, you don’t have to later scrub melty orange streaks from your cookie sheet.
What I have also learned in the last two weeks is how incredibly important proper squat technique truly is. For those of you who think doing squats is pointless, or don’t like it because your legs get sore, I’m here to tell you that it’s been a life changing realization to me. This isn’t about a tabata Tuesday routine, barbells on your back, or three sets of 15 in a mirror, though those are good practice. No, just the simple movement of bending at the knees and lowering yourself as if you are about to sit. There is no bending of the torso, the legs and glutes do the work, and for the girl who can’t bend, this helps reach things just on the cusp of the fingertips.
Obviously, this helps with getting up and down from a seated position. And I think the reason it didn’t occur to me sooner was that with this entire ordeal has come the awareness that my left leg is so much weaker than its counterpart on the right. Noticeably and impact-fully weaker. I’ve been working on it by trying to lead with that leg more on the stairs. It’s helped some, but there is a long way to go.
The reality is also that I may not get full strength back in that leg. Time and work will tell. I’m learning to just roll with it for now. There really isn’t much choice.
In the meantime, the treadmill (remember my longing debate after seeing one discarded on the street?) has arrived and been set up as of last night. I did a nice, but very slow walk on it today. It’s not about speed right now, but movement. It was an interesting moment today connecting with and thinking about the movement as I walked. I cannot recall any time before I have done that.
Today’s lesson… do more with squats.
