Yesterday was the 2nd week I have attended the Shape Up Tennesse 2009 Class.  I know I said I thought the exercises would probably be hokey and not be of much help.  Geesh……I’m proven wrong again!!

I never realized how much my right shoulder had tightened up until I tried to do a specific exercise.  Hold your arms out to your sides with your palms facing down and then bring your arms up straight over our head with th back palms of your hands touching.  If you are doing it right, your arms should be touching both sides of your head.

The first few times I tried this exercise….yikes…my shoulder cracked like I had just broken a twig. Then of course, it really hurt and burned like heck.  I only did that one a few times because I couldn’t stand the pain.  The good news is, I practiced it all week and was able to do it without any problem yesterday.  It still makes a little crinking noise but it’s not painful like the first week.

Another exercise which was really good for me is putting one hand over the shoulder and reaching back as far as I can while using the other hand to reach behind your back (as if unhooking a bra) and reaching up as high as possible.  Then you have to switch and do it the other way. I sure feel that one in my shoulders.  

These exercises are better than any physical therapy class for me.  I remember going for physical therapy twice in my life.  Once for my back.  Those whirlpool baths were only good while I was in it.  Once out….back was right back to where it was.   I  went to therapy for my left shoulder.  Now that was really goofy.  She put this electrode thing on my shoulder.  It didn’t do a darn thing.  After my  third session,  I quit going.  I ended up joining the gym at the hospital and started working out on the weight machines.  That really helped.  Now it’s my right shoulder that needs some limbering up.

Each week I’ll share another exercise or two that I’ve learned at this class.  Becoming more limber will help to make a person more mobile.  Thus, increased exercise which will equal weight loss.  I love how they all work together.