Training basket of Carolyn Lindner

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 14/01/2014 (4653 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

CAROLYN LINDNER, 41

Accomplishments: Lindner learned to walk all over again and has rejoined her gym just three months after becoming a bilateral below-the-knee amputee. It’s been an incredible journey of life-changing proportions for Lindner, a mother of an 11-year-old son.

During a serious illness last winter, Lindner was in a coma for 40 days. This illness led to Lindner having both her legs amputated below the knees last April.

An active mom and fitness aficionado, Lindner used to love yoga but said she now finds it impossible to do many poses with limited mobility of her prosthetic legs. Undeterred, Lindner searched out new paths to fitness.

“Yoga was excellent for core strength, flexibility and stability. Now more than ever I needed a form of exercise that would help me rebuild the core strength I have lost, so I took up Pilates. Pilates has helped me with my posture and balance,” she said.

Lindner said she needs different prosthetics for different types of physical activities.

“For swimming or water sports, I require special swimming legs. If I were to take up running again (which is a goal of mine but first, I must be taught how to) I would use running blades,” she said. “My family and I love to canoe and kayak so this summer I look forward to being able to do these activities again when I get my new swimming legs. I recently acquired a pair of carbon fiber feet. They are light, stable, and great for working out.”

1. Favorite workout?

I love being active and feel the strongest when I am at the gym. Therefore, the perfect day for me would start off at the gym, walking on the treadmill beside my husband Jan followed by doing various weight machines. I love outdoor activities like trail walking and meeting my dear friend Jen and her dog Annie for a walk in the park.

2. Favourite workout song?

I like to listen to local folk trio The Shuckers when I work out. I especially like Lonesome Song.

3. Fitness tip?

In the last nine months, I have had to learn to breathe, eat, talk, and walk again. What got me through it all was creating a timeline and setting goals for myself. I have learned that you have to set goals as a way of getting your life back. Most goals you will achieve, some you may not. But having a goal is a good place to start. It doesn’t matter what fitness level you are currently at, you should challenge yourself to be the best you can be. Remember, the only person you are in competition with is yourself. Slow and steady wins the race!

4.What’s in your fridge?

I am a creature of habit and tend to gravitate toward the same foods. If you open my fridge you will always find Vanilla Almond Milk, Oikos Greek yogurt, blueberries, hemp hearts, mango, almonds, and eggs (I always think to myself, if Dr. Oz was to show up at my home and look in my fridge, I think he would be happy with me!)

5. What’s your guilty pleasure?

I have many but will keep my list to three items: Miss Vicky’s Sea Salt and Malt Vinegar Chips, fresh fries and watching an assortment of bad reality TV.

ashley.prest@freepress.mb.ca