Such uplifting words and i am going to try this when I go home from work. Thank you for sharing 
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I would endorse that. It is also recommended for arthritis. It is much easier if you use an upright chair. It is important not to use a hand for support. Also when you are up bend your knees until they are over your toes. Hold for 5.
There are more exercises at:
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Good for you Helen, and you will get there. One of the things I missed more than the cigarettes were the cheesy puffs I used to eat in bed! I lost almost two stone, and whilst I’m not slim, I am a lot lighter than before. Good luck sweetie 
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For some stroke survivors, particularly early on in their recovery, it is a case of getting up and sitting down any you way can. If that means using their hand/s, usually for a multitude of reasons such as balance issues, then so be it. This also gives them a target to aim for, standing up and sitting down hands free.
The same goes for what they are sitting on to do this exercise. Although a couch or armchair are going to be harder to stand up from. But at the same time, the extra effort is a bit of workout in itself. I know 'cos I’ve been there a few times over the years 
Lorraine
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Also check out what AgeUK offer for your area. Some, like mine, hold fitness classes specifically for the over 50s in the aim to reduce the risks off falls in old age. Some claases are solely chair based exercises, and some just have chairs for those who may need them for certain exercises. They can also advice on falls prevention, and way of getting yourself back up, if its safe to do so.
I go to 2 classes run by AgeUK, one is called strength & balance, the other is body balance, which I did today. And the cost is minimal, I pay £4 but that can vary by a pound or two between regions.
You also have the social aspect from it as you get to know the other members. We often get together for a coffee and a natter afterwards. It makes exercising seem less of chore and more something to look forward to, its a good laugh. And we all need laughter in our lives post stroke 
Lorraine
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I’ll warn you now, your legs may ache next day, but that’s a good thing. It means you’ve really worked your muscles but it does get easier with frequency
Lorraine
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Brilliant words for me to follow, This week I’ve found that I can walk arm in arm quite well (it’s much easier than with my stick) so I’m going to use that knowledge to step up my distance little by little and the idea of practicing in little reps will fit in to my upper body exercises really well. Thank you
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A walking stick can alter your centre of gravity if used incorrectly which may be affecting your natural walking gait. They never gave me any walking aids so I had to just wing by cruising the furture, like 1yr old learning to walk or linking arms with my hubby out walking. When I did start walking on my own, my hubby had to walk kirb side to me to prevent me veering off into the road
But walking linked does make you walk a little taller allowing your body’s more natural gait, particularly if your partner is that bit taller
Good luck with your endeavour, you do sound determined to succeed, and you will. And don’t get despondent on down days for that’s the best time for your stroke brain to process all it has learnt. So down days are permitted 
Lorraine
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@emraldeyes, its worth it 
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Thank you for the advice.. at 4’10” most people are taller! Hubby and Son are 6’
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They will certainly keep you walking
straighter
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You can do it, but enjoy your holiday first. I lost two and a half stones after my stroke by cutting right down on fat, no more butter but Benecol instead, only fat free cottage cheese I rarely have hard cheese now and when I do it’s the half fat, I buy everything reduced salt and reduced sugar but I still do have a treat most days, a piece of cake or something sweet. Just do your best it all helps, there’s no point in making yourself miserable by starving you still need to enjoy your food. Good luck xxx
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Hi @Catlover - nice to meet you 
I am sure it’s not meant to, but the “but enjoy your holiday first” almost makes it sound as though @Helen-G 's goal is going to be hard work and not enjoyable
It’s good that you are able to share your success story on how you lost two and half stones after your stroke. Clearly what you did worked well for you and that is fantastic.
I notice you mention you cut right back on fat and reduced your salt and sugar intakes. I am not sure if you were advised to do this or you did your own research and found what works for you. The reason I am chipping in with my tuppence worth is that in recent times, there has been a shift in the thinking of the pros and cons of fatty diets and now there is a suggestion that [some] dietary fats are not bad but may good for you and even essential as part of a healthy diet and lifestyle. I am not preaching or anything, but it is something we have been discussing on this forum and I thought it might be worth a mention as it may be relevant in Helen’s choices.
Below is a link to a recent post on the subject.
Just a thought.
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Welcome. Seated exercise will really help. I used to be very fit and cant do my running etc anymore. I took up walking football though which has been amazing. It not only got me active but allowed me to be in a social setting without needing to talk much when my aphasia was bad. Keep going and never give up but always be kind to yourself. The new you needs time to emerge.
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@ManjiB Helen-G said she is making the most of this last week of indulgence and I was simply agreeing with her, I don’t think she should spoil her holiday by counting every calorie and adding up every gram of fat or worrying about losing weight for the next few days. Change of diet is what you make it I haven’t found it so hard to change what I eat because I enjoy salads with soft fruits added and eat it with most dishes and have a smaller portion of whatever the meal is. The fats I cut right back on were butter, cheese, mushroom pate, chocolate, cream cakes etc etc and I don’t think they are essential to a healthy diet and lifestyle however enjoyable they are. My diet still contains some fats and it still contains some cakes and yes it was based on my own research and on common sense. Not sure why you felt the need to correct me, I was merely encouraging Helen-G to enjoy her holiday before starting what is, if not hard, a real challenge.
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That sounds excellent advice, definitely something I think I can follow. I’m enjoying my hols but not going too wild
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Thank you x great advice and I’m hoping that as the weight comes off I can do more
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Thank you for all your great advice and super lovely words. They mean a lot x
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Hi @Catlover - Firstly, let me say that I agree with all you say and I think your note is absolutely strong encouragement and excellent advice for Helen-G.
I am really sorry if you saw my note to you as a correction - it absolutely was not. I did start by saying
Perhaps it is my Northern upbringing, my dry sense of humour and sometimes a sense of mischief coupled with English not being my mother tongue that sometimes leads to misunderstandings when I communicate in the written form or indeed in person. On this occasion, this is perhaps made worse as this is the first time I am communicating directly with you and interjecting in a chat you were having with Helen_G 
I also did say at the very start
Again, to me the above two opening sentences are absolutely not corrections of anything you have said, but if I am wrong then I stand corrected.
For me, this forum is a great place to share experiences and offer advice to a whole disparate group of people with a common theme. As such, the forum allows people to share differing views and experiences and personally, I sometimes do offer a different view point or opinion because a) it is something I believe and b) it makes for a healthy debate. In so doing, I am never [intentionally] criticising or correcting anyone or their opinions because I believe everyone is entitled to their opinion and in a healthy society there will always be differences of opinions. I note and perhaps you do too that this note that started off as a simple apology for a misunderstanding has now gone on to what some might see as “preaching” which might be seen as adding fuel to the fire, but again this is absolutely not the case. I just love writing and putting down my thoughts on this forum and it makes me feel better. Is that selfish of me? If it is, I can only apologise again but it is who I am and what I do 
I finish as I started by saying that I agree with all you say and I think your note is absolutely strong encouragement and excellent advice for Helen-G.
I am sure in time we shall all rejoice and celebrate when @Helen-G shares her success story with us.
@Catlover, please do forgive me if I have upset you through an unintended act of thoughtlessness and I hope that we will be able to share opinions and experiences be they common or different on this forum
Here’s to healthy and happy living to everyone
Namaste|
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@ManjiB it’s fine, I just did feel a bit “told off” but I too am a northern lass and I can take it on the chin, there are more important things than squabbling about use of words, all the best. xx
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