Moderator said on 24/09/2009 at 6:46 pm
Kerry582 said on 9 September 2009:
I will try hard to stop this turning into a whinging rant against anyone and everyone but just in case I'll apologise up front!!
I am doing something wrong, I am not sure what it is maybe I'm just stupid, who knows! I have been trying for the last 2 years to sort my fitness out (primarily to lose weight), to achieve this I have been trying to go running (walk a route with someone initially and learn it, then run it) the problem is that I keep injuring myself.
Most recently (2 weeks ago) I have achieved a broken rib and fairly serious sprains to both ankles. I did this by falling over in a car park that my route takes me through, it's you average local authority sports pitch car park broken tarmac in many places etc etc.
My point is I am fairly sure that other people who can't see must run, what is the trick that I am missing? Even if folk don't run what do you do to combat the effect of being more sedentary; Eat less? Drink less? What? For reference I am taking steroids for my eye condition which really doesn't help things, but I have been for 10 years, so stopping that isn't really an option!
Before anyone asks why, I run because I used to run a lot, I enjoy it and it gives me a sense of freedom that I do not want to lose. Besides which I was clumsy when I could see so I would be a complete liability in a gym now!
davetaylor said on 24/09/2009 at 6:46 pm
Hi all, well, I was extremely unfit and tried my local gym. They just didn't have enough staff to help me often enough and for long enough, so it proved difficult, so eventually I started working out at home. It gets boring but it's an option. I'm a lot better than I was but still nowhere near fit enough. I certainly couldn't go running and find the whole concept of clubs quite scary as I find them very cliquey, so personally not sure how to progress. I've no vision at all, and generally lack confidence in this kind of thing, and tend to run out of motivation.
Ken Reid said on 24/09/2009 at 1:05 pm
Kerry,
First of all, don't worry about the ranting, and don't give up. Keeping fit, getting weight under control and all is really important for feeling good about ourselves.
I like to keep fit. Since becoming blind, I have run several half marathons and a full marathon, and am down to run London 2010. I have done triathlon. I have hill walked in several countries in Europe, canoed, cycled etc. There is very little that a blind person can't do, once they find a way to make it accessible.
I will be honest, and admit that some solutions cost money. Buying a tandem is not cheap, nor is membership of a private gym. Why not start with your local authority gym. They have a duty under the DDA to make reasonable adjustments. Putting bump ons on running/cycling/rowing machines is reasonable. I had to work hard to persuade my local gym of this, but they accepted it in the end.
The other thing that worked for me was letting it be known that I wanted a partner to do sport with. I now have several pilots for cycling, and regularly get out running with friends (well they are friends now that we have been running together for a while). Don't feel that you are losing your independence, think that you are motivating someone else to get out and run or whatever. Several of my guides have admitted that if it were not for me they would not have bothered.
Good luck, look forward to meeting you on a running event one day.
Ken
purple said on 19/09/2009 at 1:10 pm
hi selina good on you im going to my local gym again as they see very supportive and suggested i could join the spin class and so as they thouht it would be accessible and i like the treadmills and other machines anyway what sports do you do
Richard Moore said on 16/09/2009 at 1:47 pm
Hi Kerry, I am the Community Fundraising Manager for RNIB in Northern Ireland. Some useful info on previous posts. I run and go to the gym 3-4 times a week to keep me fit for refereeing rugby (I know, a rugby referee, sponsored by Specsavers who works for RNIB, if only the players knew)! I am not blind (I have extremely limited sight in one eye and perfect sight in the other) but thought I would share some info with you. Forgive me if you are not keen on the gym but I have been very impressed with the staff at my gym, David Lloyd in Belfast. There are a number of members with physical disabilities and it is obvious that the staff have had specific training on how to help the members when they use the gym equipment. I know staff members are available to help with individual training on a one to one basis (I have used this myself when trying to post a time for a "mile challenge" on the treadmill). The treadmills have emergency stop cords which you can hold or put round your wrist to minimise injury should you trip or fall (which I do myself occassionally when I confuse myself for Usain Bolt). Other equipment which you could consider include rowing machines (much harder than it looks and brilliant for fitness), step machines and cross trainers, all of which I use. The rowing machines and cross trainers would be particularly good for someone with sight loss as it would be nearly impossible to fall off / trip or suffer from injury. Most of these pieces of equipment have little computers / monitors which when set will beep when you have completed your time / target calories etc. A gym staff member should be available to initially set that if it is difficult for you to read. If you are more keen to run outdoors, you could contact your local running / athletics clubs. I know of a number of people who are keen runners who act as guides for blind / partially sighted runners and regularly compete in 10k, half and full marathons as guides. Sorry if you have heard that all before but maybe some of it may be helpful!
PS, Sat 19th Sept - I called into the local ice skating rink last night to place a new Sooty collection box and asked to speak to any instructors / coaches. Two of the three coaches had previous experience of coaching / guiding blind skaters and the third hadn't because she has only turned to coaching recently having been a professional skater. She was very keen to get involved however.
If you would like any help finding out about clubs / venues in your area which have specific experience in coaching / guiding / assisting blind or partially sited people please let me know and I will get your local RNIB office to contact you. My email richard.moore@rnib.org.uk
Moderator said on 14/09/2009 at 7:12 pm
SuzyQ123 said on 14 September:
Val, where abouts in the UK are you and how much vision do you actually have?
I do dance classes in the south (Hampshire/Surrey area). If you have enough vision to see somebody's hand coming towards you then you may find something like Ceroc which is a partnered dance might be possible. However, classes are only an hour long and weekly so you won't lose much weight that way.
Kerry, would it be feasible to ask somebody to walk a route with you and pick out the obstacles so that you could go on your own afterwards? Surely joggers with vision try to avoid obstacles (I have never jogged in my life btw), maybe a local jogging club might be able to advise?