Good Morning Anna,
Is there a physiotherapist available within this community? Ive searched the topics obviously. Im needing some general advice about how much exercise and rest. This is a topic which comes up occasionally but there seems to be little general advice (or I am looking in the wrong area). I’d be grateful for a link or pointing in the right direction.
Many thanks……Richard.
@Baldrick Wouldn’t a physio in your area be better rather that on this community? You can have as much physio as you feel you need. I had spoken to my Chiropractor about this a number of weeks ago regarding myself. But regarding myself, he said i would not benefit from a physio and as it turns out a number of weeks down the line he is correct. Best of luck in finding one that suits you.
My gp surgery has a physiotherapist who we can self refer to. Might be worth asking your gp.
Thanks Irene, janet
I was after general advice about healthy amount and heart rates. Also if I feel I can do more or move faster and not overdoing things on a better day - it’s most likely basic stuff but u r both probably correct and I will start with the GP practice. I’ll report back as the subject has come up with others it’s useful to know the correct way.
Thanks again
@badrick I would still say that a physio would have helped but I went with my Chiropractors belief in me and his ability to get me moving more, he was right. Look forward to catching up again. 
Hi Richard @Baldrick
Thanks for the message about physio’s. We don’t have a physio in this community as this is a space for you to get tips and advice from other survivors/carers. The Online Community is about sharing personal experiences of what has helped. As some others have mentioned it would best to speak with your GP to get a referral and then please do report back to everyone on here as that’s what makes this community so great - our members sharing their experiences.
Hope this helps 
Anna
Thanks Anna - yes it’s all a help & will do. Cheers……
I’ve had a douzen physios, or more , in the past. Nowadays, I go outside (2 hours today) breathe fresh air, rejoice, let gratitude and hope come to me through Earthing, barefoot on my lawn, then I let rip a bit of Qigong. That’s when magic happens, for exercise donates electrons, as does Gaia and soon my blood and Qi circulate and, just as importantly, my lymphatic nodes
Get yourself a physio, or not, in the end you’re on your own.; just your mind and your body. So put them together and feel the joy of movement. Gaia will show you the path as long as you connect ; bare skin and soles of feet must connect to Earth or your lawn ! This is real healing like nature intends ; it’s back to nature!
Roland
You’re about 4 months post stroke now aren’t you?
Going back to your first post, you were already ‘ walking 3 miles today over a day.’
So how exercise are getting over all now?
I do a minimum of 1hr a day between the gym and a few fitness classes; max would be about 3 hours but that’s usually with a coffee break and chin wag with fellow gym buddies between sessions. It’s as much for the social aspects as it is for the fitness 
But, how much is too much is, very much, down to the individual when it comes stroke survivors as it all depends on their current levels of abilities. That’s why everyone is suggesting referring to your local gp’s physio if you have one. I can also self refer to my surgery’s physio and I have in the past just for consultation, needing advice similar to yours and few tips. Sometimes it can be a lot quicker that trying to see your gp 
The general rule of thumb is an hour a day of physical exercise for most people. How much rest depends on age, level of fitness and health. I tend to give myself an hour rest after a long 2hr session. If I only do an hour I’m usually ok to crack on with whatever else I want as long as it’s nothing too strenuous.
But it also depends on the type of exercise you do. If walking for an hour or two, I probably rest for half and hour afterwards with a nice cup of tea. If I went for a 4 mile walk, I’d even stop for a break half way through then put my feet up for an hour when I got home. But I never nap during the day either as I have a hard enough time getting off to sleep as it is since the stroke…despite all the exercise I get 
As to speed, for me it’s about what my brain will allow. I very much feel my brain is in control of that, it has it’s set speeds for certain things and won’t allow me to break it. Walk speeds are not a problem, but my speeds for working out at the gym are kept in check by my brain. If I try to speed up, within seconds I’m right back to slow and steady again 
My brain did catch me out one day when I did a short sprint in a circuit training session at the gym. If was so taken by surprise I nearly tripped over my own feet 
But it’s not as though I’m looking to break any speed records any time soon anyway 
My brain has its generous days…and not so generous other days 
I think my brain needs her own unique name to go with her very own unique identity 
Anyway, don’t know if any of that will help you or not but I wish all the best and good luck.
Lorraine
Worth giving the Brain and Spine Foundation helpline a call. It’s manned by neuro nurses so I’m sure they’ll be able to help you.
Thanks Lorraine,
I had a second very minor stroke/TIA 2 months ago so it was starting from scratch again. Im ok just about back to where I was. My daily exercise is about 2 miles/day so less than before; im taking it very easy. Wanting to step it up a bit though.
Long story short - after second I became a bit obsessed with monitoring my Fitbit to monitor progress in particular heart rate. And trying to keep it low something I’d never done before so obviously i had no knowledge on what it was like originally. Long story short I was becoming very anxious probably over nothing. Ive ditched the Fitbit now and my peace of mind has improved overnight. Like you I listen to my body now and do what it feels and am generally happier! - i post this for the info of everyone the Fitbit was causing me more anxiety than I’ve ever known!
Obviously I am very wary having had a second stroke event and dont want to stress myself too much while keeping up a daily exercise regime and keep improving.
Thank you for your very detailed post it’s been very helpful.
I was suffering from Fitbit anxiety too. I switched to an Apple watch which shifts the focus in a slightly less heart rate obsessed direction, though at a much higher cost.
Thanks Harimanjaro - I was thinking of an Apple Watch. Maybe January sales! Thanks again.