So I'm curious how much other people are able to exercise, how exercising affects them, and what forms of exercise people use. I hope to return to yoga if it doesn't put too much stress on my hands.Hi David, I do water exercises a couple of times a week at the Y and I also attend an arthritis exercise group twice a week. I do some free weights at home and have just started to walk. Exercise is a priority with me right now because I'm dieting and because for the first time in almost 4 years I can excercise because my meds are working. I only do the exercises that I can do comfortably or I modify what's being done at that moment. Take care. LindyI am just starting back on my pre-diagnosis exercise program. (Yeah Enbrel!) I am now doing 30 minutes a day on the elliptical cross trainer and very slowly adding a bit of weight machine work in each week. I will add 5 minuites to the elliptical each week and 5 lbs every 2 weeks to my weight routine until I reach my maximum goal.
I exercise every day no matter how I feel. It makes me feel better. Sure it's not the amount and intensity I'd like, but even if it's a bit, it helps...for me anyway. If I just sit around, I feel worse. I seem to get stiffer when I don't move.
I walk 3 times a day for a total of about 4 miles. I do yoga about an hour a day; 15 mins in the morning, 15 mins outside at lunch time, and about 30 mins in the early evening. It really helps me a lot. For me, the yoga actually relieves the pain as well as strengthening the muscles around the joints.
Alan
I do 5 miles on the elliptical trainer, or sometimes bike ride instead. Also, I weight train 3 times per week. Except this past month I've had to skip alot of my regular routine this past month or so due to swollen body parts.So just in the last week I have started doing water exercises every other day at my sister's house (which is really nearby) in her pool. I am using an Agua Exercise DVD (about 30, 40 minutes in length that I got from Arthritis Central online. Actually got it for free by signing up for a membership and newsletter (which I did pay a decently small amount for). They had several other exercise dvds for sell as well which I may look into soon.
I think it is already making me feel a bit better already - certainly not making me feel worse.
Regards,
Melly
Although I'm not an exercise fan, I used to keep up with it pretty regularly until I got to the point that any exercise resulted in injury and pain. Now after a few months of RA drugs, I'm attempting to start exercising again. Walking is OK as long as I walk on level surfaces and don't overdo. However, my attempt to do arm lifts, shoulder height (no weights and only 8 lifts) left me in extreme pain for three days. I'm new at this so I'm not sure what's going on, why exercise, which is supposed to be so healthy, causes me injury and pain, no matter how careful I am. The fact that so many here seem to be able to exercise makes me think it will be better in the future after my disease is more under control.
I haven't been exercising - although I need to. I would like to start walking. It's been so hot here and I've not gotten my RA or Fibro under control. My Pred has not helped either! AHH! I'm trying to get motivated here! Good luck to everyone!
Jen
Exercise to me is getting out of bed at the moment, as is walking to the kettle to put it on. A really heavy workout is managing to do housework. It is kinda hard to exercise when you can barely move. Hi! I will be completing water exercise for arthritis in the next week or so and then I go back to work full time (I am a teacher). Last year I only had the energy to go to work and couldn't do anything else. I cut back on the credits I am teaching to help with that. I also started doing Dr. Lam's "Tai chi for arthritis" I like doing that. Good Luck! I do have to admit my RA is still in the early stages, but I started working out in March because I need to lose weight, worried that it would get worse and much to my surprise, I feel a lot better now! I do the eliptical (the treadmill hurts my toes and feet way too much and the bike doesn't burn enough calories) and the strength training. I have noticed actual improvement in my back, neck and elbows and the strength in my arms has improved tremendously.Hi, I'm back to playing golf 2 days a week. I still have to take the 'riding cart' the whole 18 holes, but I love being out so much it doesn't matter what I have to do to be there. (i used to walk the course). Also, on the days I don't play golf I walk the beach or along our waterfront. I'm not sure how far it is, i just try to increase the distance every day by some. I live in a two story condo, so going up and down the stairs a hundred times a day helps. Our local community center offers 'a group class for people with arthritis' twice a week of gentle stretching/movement for an hour, i enjoy the people and the exercise. I'd like to do some water exercises, but our only pool is the local college campus and you have to sign up in advance and go through too much hassle (my excuse?). I'd like to find something easier on my feet.
Lynda
I am almost back to my pre-diagnosis exercise program. I run 4 miles 4-5 days a week on the treadmill. I have run one road race (5K) and have signed up for another. 1-2 days a week I do the elliptical.
I have started riding my bike again but that seems to cause me a little difficulty in my hands...not sure if it is from the layoff or the RA. I bought a beautiful new bike before the RA started. I absolutely love this bike.
I lift weights or do a muscle class twice a week. I do abdominals every other day.
Since starting my exercise program I have lost 12 pounds (and counting).
I pray everyday that I can continue with my program. I know how quickly things can change.
I have pretty much been a couch potato throughout my life and always held a desk job. Recently my RA suggested I get some physical therapy to build up the muscles in my legs because I have OA in my knees and was having problems with stairs and getting up out of a chair, or squating to file something.
The exercises and stretches have helped so much. I feel so much better overall. They aren't difficult and don't require much effort which I think must be very good for those of us with RA. I learned a lot from my physical therapist that should help me with continuing to exercise and stretch even with RA. It really seems that the whole point is to keep joints and muscles moving - - and that doesn't have to mean a lot of stressful, painful exercise.
Hi. I just started working out regularly again. Exercise and weight training used to be part of my every day life, until not so very long ago. I've had a backyard pool for 7 years and haven't used it. The water is too cold (I thought) And I live in Florida.I think exercise is soooo importrant - "use it or lose it!" I walk every day - without fail - using my platform walker.
Kathy
Most every form of exercise is too much for me, but I love my pool. I admit to big trouble with the stairs - both directions. It really does help limber me up, it does improve muscle tone, it helps reduce stress in a healthy way. I was starting to have a bit of back trouble from twisting oddly to get the sun shade out of the back seat - this long weekend with a swim every day really seems to have fixed my twisted spine.Hi! I like this thread.
Well, every time I try to exercise, my stupid hands swell up quite badly, and my ankles and knees just ache. It sucks. And I love to exercise. Even moderate walking is challenge right now.
My husband and I did yoga for an hour last night, and I am paying for it today. It was fun though... I thought yoga was supposed to be gentle, but I don't think so. Not in the beginning anyway...
Good luck finding the exercise for you!