I am not engaging my core
 

Okay, this is very odd. At 3 wks post-hysterectomy, I am beginning to cautiously do some exercising. I have to move, or I'll congeal!

And, before you guys yell at me, I'm talking, very, very gentle exercising, very very cautiously! It's not hard if you are used to listening to your body and feeling it move, like I am. Gentle exercise is my specialty. :)

Anyway, it's just odd, after so many years of focusing on "the core" when doing exercises, to deliberately exercise without engaging the core. With most exercises, you are either actively working your core muscles, or providing stability and support to the rest of your body with them. But I can't do that. I have to make sure I'm supporting my body properly in other ways. (kneeling, using a cushion)

Right now, I'm mostly concentrating on the upper body, isolating the levers (bicep, tricep, shoulders); and doing graceful belly dance arms. I can't do too much lower body stuff other than simple extensions and calf raises.

If anyone has some clever suggestions for exercises to do, I'd be grateful. Nothing with the tummy, pelvis, or lower back for a few more weeks.

well, okay then

We're stuuupid...

And we don't exercise.

nah, you just got better things to do. I understand.

(sob!)

No, exercise is definitely a "better thing to do"... I'm just a lazy-assed coward.

That said, I'm still doing the 10k steps per day (thought I only got to 8.5 yesterday. I was over 10k the day before and at 12.5k the previous day!)

In this case, it really is "little steps"! ;)

Could a physical therapist help you out with some suggestions?

Maybe, but I guess I trust my own intuition more.

It is ok to add a few household weights like a book in each hand. Sit while you do it and you will not stress your "core". You still have another 3 or 4 weeks before you are going to feel closer to 100%. Take it slow. You will come around.