I am burly girl

bur·ly Adjective: (of a person) Large and strong; heavily built.

Saturday I helped my father move into an Adult Family Home — smaller and less institutional setting than a nursing home, but still with 24-hour caregivers. The home is at the top of a long, steep driveway. How long? You could easily park 3 cars, one behind the other. Possibly four cars. We are talking serious hill here. My dad also has a dresser with a dozen drawers, approximately 60 inches wide, 40 inches high, and 18 inches deep.

My husband and I carried it up the driveway.

It’s not the greatest feat of strength in the world, but it’s one I haven’t always been capable of performing. But I did it, and I’m pleased. I also helped my dad get in and out of the car multiple times, pushed his wheelchair, and stayed calm and positive through it all.

I don’t exercise specifically so I can carry dressers up hills. But it’s nice to be able to do so.

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Posted

August 22, 2011

Exercise

Living 400lbs

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Comments

10 responses to “I am burly girl”

TheHuldra

August 23, 2011

Yay! People are generally surprised that I am strong, although I look burly enough! But when exertion-induced asthma hits out of the blue it makes me look like a stereotypical unfit fatty!

I hope your dad likes the new place.

Reply
1. Living 400lbs
  
  August 23, 2011
  
  I deal with exercise-induced asthma too and yeah, it doesn’t help. When friends joke that they exercise so they can run away from zombies, I reply to give me 20 minutes’ warning for my inhaler to kick in.
  
  Reply
  1. TheHuldra
    
    August 23, 2011
    
    Lol! We need to find an alternative way of escaping from zombies!
    
    Reply
    1. Timiji
      
      August 25, 2011
      
      Here’s one alternative escape technique:
      
      http://www.snorgtees.com/t-shirts/geek-nerd/if-zombies-chase-us
      
      Reply
MadGastronomer

August 23, 2011

Whatever happened to burly as an adjective? Well, this, for one. ;) (I have a copy of Burly, actually. It’s awesome.)

Reply
1. Living 400lbs
  
  August 23, 2011
  
  Nifty!
  
  Reply
Mike S.

August 23, 2011

That’s fantastic. Congratulations on being able to handle it.

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notblueatall

August 23, 2011

I love it when you realize something is easier or not an issue any longer. Like, “Wow! Look what I did!” love it! Thank you for sharing your story and I hope your father’s transition is smooth and comforting. =0)

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JeninCanada

August 23, 2011

Rock on, and what NotBlue said. It can be hard to move into a new place at any age, but I think especially when you’re older.

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mandyhartMandy

August 23, 2011

It’s the little things too that get me all excited when I’m improving my health and strength, like being able to balance on one foot while I flush with the other in a public restroom. Yay balance!

Congrats! And good luck to your father.

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