A couple of dumbbells teach me a lesson in adaptive living with ALS

I have a pair of cute, pink, 1-pound dumbbells that sit on a side table within easy reach of my desk. I put them there last summer with the best of intentions: I’d perform a few simple arm exercises during my breaks from focused computer work.

How often have I actually used them? Hardly ever. What began as a novel way to add a little muscle to my arms morphed into a daily guilt trip.

Initially, I worried this was a sign I’d reached the limit of what my body could handle as I’ve coped with ALS. Fortunately, that wasn’t the case. Once I finally took the time to figure out why I was shunning them and came up with a creative solution, those dumbbells and I became friends again. I’m excited to share how that happened.

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Asking why

As my readers know, I’ve adopted the habit of breaking up my exercise. Before ALS, I might have done a single, one-hour session, but now, I favor shorter stints scattered throughout the day. This conserves my energy while still ensuring a full-body workout. To make it work, I assign “imaginary rules” to certain areas of my home. For example, before I sit down at my computer, I must do 10 chair squats. While standing and brushing my teeth, I do glute squeezes.

This is why I originally placed the weights near my computer. “A perfect spot,” I told myself. “I’ll just reach over and grab them whenever I take a break.” Only, motivating myself to actually pick them up felt like being one of those people who buy a gym membership, but never show up.

I was confounded. I certainly knew the exercises: simple bicep curls and overhead lifts. I was already taking breaks at my desk to do under-the-table leg kicks and ankle circles. I even had a strong emotional reason — a “vanity goal,” if I’m being honest — to include them.

One morning while getting dressed, I caught a glimpse of my bare arms in the mirror. I know they are strong; they help me navigate the grab bars and countertops I use for support. But my upper arms had the tell-tale wrinkles and slightly saggy skin common to many women in their mid-70s. I immediately decided that bicep curls would add just enough muscle mass to make me feel comfortable in short-sleeved T-shirts again.

An ‘aha’ moment

That’s when the insight hit me. Even though the weights were nearby, they weren’t actually convenient. The “imaginary rule” wasn’t attached to the right environment.

The answer was to move them to the floor on either side of the chair I use while getting dressed. Now, when I’m sitting near my closet, I simply reach down, pick them up, and knock out a few reps. No guilt, no friction. Just progress.

That’s the thing about life with ALS: It’s a constant challenge to accommodate a “new normal” while still pursuing personal desires. If I can find these creative solutions, I bet you can, too. Let’s continue to support each other as we learn not just to live, but to live well with ALS.

Note: ALS News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of ALS News Today or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to ALS.