Is there anyone out there that is still (or again) doing regular exercise or participating in some sort of sport? What kinds of adjustments, if any, have you had to make for your ra?
I am, as those who have known me for a while, perpetually on a diet. I have actually found something that seems to be working and have lost 15 pounds in the past 3 months. Not a dramatic loss but it is something. Anyways, I started taking karate after sitting and watching my kids have so much fun with it. I seem to be doing okay as far as my joints are concerned, but I dont know at what point will I hit a level where my body wont do what it should. I mean, will I be able to work up to the more advanced stuff as I get in better shape or will the RA become a brick wall at some point?
I know that no one can answer that, but I would like to hear of anyone elses experiences with sports and exercise after RA.
I have a recumbent stationary bike that I use every day. I try to do it every day even if I only get 10-15 minutes in. I use to walk, but since I had knee surgery where they took out a lot of my cartilage, it is too painful. My surgeon suggested bicycling or swimming. I find that my knee catches when I try to swim, so I bike instead. It is important to keep excercising even with the RA. It is great that you are able to do karate. Just keep doing what you are comfortable with. If something hurts, don't do it or modify how you do it. You may have periods where you have to slow down, but always try to keep moving.My hubby is a second dan in Wado Karate and my son got his black belt when he was 14 (he was on a mission to beat his dad). Its very good for total body fitness so well done. Some form of exercise if better than non.
I am doing American Karate. My kids are Green Belts..I am still a white belt. But in American Karate, juniors cant get black belts. At age 13 they start over as a white belt senior level and then can work up to the Black belt. My kids were teasing me the first night because I am only a white belt and they are green..until I reminded them that I would be a black belt years before they would get the opportunity...heh heh! We have our first tournament next sunday. As a white belt I wont be sparring, we had to learn a Kata and we do that for points at the tournament. When I rank up to yellow belt in a few weeks I will start sparring though. So..we will see how that goes. The class is a mix of kids from ages 13 up and adults. Good thing...cuz even half of the kids are bigger than me! One of my instructors is 61, she is a little petite thing, and she is going up for her black belt in December. She only started Karate 3 years ago after watching her son and husband teach it for so long. She is very motivational! I probably would have chickened out and never tried it if not for her!I exercise regularly. I do strength training 4 days a week and cardio at least 5 days. I also take a reformer pilates class and do water aerobics 2 hours a week. This is with 6 soon to be 7 joint replacements. I want to try kick boxing but that won't be until after the next surgery.
I know someone with RA who regularly does advanced marshal arts. He has multiple black belts. If you go to the about.com/arthritis board and send a message to bandittcj I'm sure he will be able to give you some more specific advice
Does the morning struggle to arise from bed, shuffle to the shower, and then getting dressed count?!Wow! It is great to see how many people have really intense workout regimines. I am just starting out so I am not doing any sparring yet. But soon I will be. I hope I dont get my a@@ kicked! lol. I am not so worried about my RA in that regard. I just need to get past the neck thing. Truthfully, the herniated disc in my neck is way more debilitating than the RA is now.
Little Mermaid- I did gymnastics from the time I was a toddler untill I was about 24. I was a cheerleader in HS and college and coached gymnastics and cheer. Gymnastics is so fun, but it really will tear your body up, even if you dont have RA. My second love after gymnastics and cheer? Dance. I think that is why I have fit in and done so well with Karate...it is almost like learning dance moves!
I agree Curnchy that it is exciting to read about so many people excercising with RA. I am also happy to hear you are doing karate. I have been wanting to do some Muy Thai kickboxing training but have hesitated...not sure why. One reason is that I feel too old.
Now...I run 3-4 miles at least 4 times/week. I mix in biking either when I run or on its own. I want to train for a triathlon next year so it is my intention to do some swimming over the winter. I dread getting into the pool. I also do strength training 2-3 times/week.
I do some form of exercise at least 6 times/week. Not only does it help my physical well-being but it sustains my mental health.
As far as modifications go...I try to listen to what my body is telling me. I run less if my body feels sore primarily my feet. Somedays I may just bike instead of biking and running because my body feels too tired.
Sometimes it is very hard to be consistant with exercise -- but it pays off keeping the ol' joints workin'. Since dx in June, my husband has been encouraging and supportive with exercise. He joins me swimming for an hour 6 days a week (mind you, I am no olympic champion -- I swim "gently") and doing Tai Chi for 3 days. Both were highly recommended by my dr. I think the exercise is a natural pain killer to some degree. So, I hope I will be able to always participate as I believe it is helping me.
I currently strength train (3) days per week and do some form of cardio for at least 45 minutes, (7) days per week either on the elliptical or recument bike. I can't run as my knees are getting in bad shape and fast walking causes quite a bit of pain in my knees also. I had quit all working out for (3) months after my initial diagnosis of RA and felt horrible during that period (some of which was depression). Right after diagnosis I figured, why bother...this is the end of life as I know it. I eventually got tired of feeling sorry for myself and got back into the routine. Once I returned to working out my depression got much better. I've also noticed that working out definately helps with the fatigue that goes with RA. So I can't make excuses, I always make sure to get up at 5:45 every morning before the rest of my family and do my cardio. If not, "life" often gets in the way due to family obligations, etc., and it won't get done. The bad part about morning cardio - this is when those of us with RA are the stiffest and in the most pain. The good - the cardio always helps me loosen up and I usually feel pretty good by the time it's over with. My doc has encouraged me to stay active and continue working out on good days. However, he has said that if I'm in a flare I need to rest my joints and that I should not work out during this period. I have to admit that fitness is somewhat of an addiction for me and there have been times when I have been in a flare and did cardio anyway. I figure, I may as well exercise as much as I can while I'm still able to do it.
I'd like to join Progressive Kenpo Jiutsu school where my son (brown belt) and daughter (green belt) attend and get into martial arts, however with my knee, finger and wrist joint pains I'm hesitant to take it up.
I use the elliptical trainer 4 days a week, strength train twice a week, and do those spot exercises (crunches, leg lifts, etc.)everyday. Granted not every time is the same amount. That depends on how I feel. However, I found that if I don't make myself do nothing, it is easer to slide backwards to that all consuming depression that hits me.
It is encouraging to read so many others are exercising as well. I am afraid if I don't keep going, I will just give up on everything.
Andrea
The first time my boy put on a karate suit he was 2 1/2 and joined in a class my husband was teaching....much to the amusement of the class.
When hubby left the army (after 17 years), and we moved to scotland William joined the club where my husbands karate teacher taught. William did all the children belts and at 12 moved on the the adult belts. William has won competitions for his Kata. He preferred that to sparring...
Crunchy the sparring is meant to me non contact so you should be ok if the rules are obeyed.
I booked on a 8 week Tai Chi course but it hurt my knees too much.. plus it made me giggle.
Its great to see so many people doing so much no matter what.
Well, I'm happy to say that I am finally starting to get back in my old routine. It's been a few months since my last run, after that I kept getting hit with flares. Then I guess I just got kind of "out of it". But I ran today, just a mile, don't want to over do it, and weight trained. Until 8 mo ago when I was hit RA, I used to run 5-6 miles 6 days and weight train 3. Don't know if I'll be able to build up my running to that. Kinda doubt it, but theres always the elliptical. Can go forever on that.I agree it's good to get a lot of exercise with RA but I'm mind boggled how you guys find the time to exercise 6 or 8 times a week! I feel like I'm doing great if I get in 2 swims and a good walk. Swimming takes me about 3 hours, including getting to the pool, swimming 1000m and doing some water aerobics, 15 minutes sauna (my reward), shower, clean up, getting home. It's just so time consuming.Linncn, I dont know how you can say the word JUST (as in just a mile). Thats a fantastic achievement after a rough 8 months.
I agree totally with Gimpy, some of the exercise regimes are more than fit able bodies people do
[QUOTE=Gimpy-a-gogo]I agree it's good to get a lot of exercise with RA but I'm mind boggled how you guys find the time to exercise 6 or 8 times a week! I feel like I'm doing great if I get in 2 swims and a good walk. Swimming takes me about 3 hours, including getting to the pool, swimming 1000m and doing some water aerobics, 15 minutes sauna (my reward), shower, clean up, getting home. It's just so time consuming.
Kudos to those who fit it in.
[/QUOTE]
I am usually up at 4:00 am so I am up and out exercising while the family is sleeping. I either run outside at 4:30 or I head to the gym at 5:00. I get back home around 7:00 to get my son up and out school and myself ready for work. Believe it or not I am at work a little after 7:30. I live 5 minutes from work and there is not fuss getting ready...quick shower, no make up and head to work with wet hair.
[QUOTE=triatha-mom]Linncn....the same thing happened to me. I was running everyday and then woke up with a swollen ankle that lasted a few days...then it was a knee...and so on. Two weeks later it was if I had never run a mile before!! And I have done the Ironman. You lose it so much faster than you gain it.
Now I try to alternate between the run and elliptical machine so I don't do so much pounding on my joints.
Gimpy...as far as it being time consuming...I agree. I do it at 5:30 in the morning and I have a gym in my home. Otherwise it would never happen!
I am just afraid that if I stop...my body will shut down and I won't be able to get going again.
[/QUOTE]
I am so impressed that you have done an Ironman (or two or three). I have done sprint triathlons and found that challenging enough. My goal is to do another next year.
When I had to stop running and lifting weights because of the RA I gained some significant weight. Now, finally, that I am consistently back exercising, the weight is coming off...that is why I am afraid to stop.
It is encouraging to me that you also do muy thai kickboxing...I think maybe I am worrked about the contact or I have been eyeing a place that trains fighters that fight in the UFC. I think I would be so intimidated.
[QUOTE=Linncn]Well, I'm happy to say that I am finally starting to get back in my old routine. It's been a few months since my last run, after that I kept getting hit with flares. Then I guess I just got kind of "out of it". But I ran today, just a mile, don't want to over do it, and weight trained. Until 8 mo ago when I was hit RA, I used to run 5-6 miles 6 days and weight train 3. Don't know if I'll be able to build up my running to that. Kinda doubt it, but theres always the elliptical. Can go forever on that.[/QUOTE]
It is really difficult to get back to where you were. I use to run 5-6 miles and no matter how hard I tried I just can't seem to get to the five mile mark. I figure I just need to be happy with what I can do because I thought I would never be able to run again.
Funny thing with me is if I go over 40 minutes on the elliptical, my knees start to hurt especially the next day. For some reason I do not have this issue with running.