Exhaustion and Exercise | Arthritis Information

 

I don't know what is what here.

If I'm going to the gym, I usually chug a cup of coffee and grab a light snack before I leave.  The caffeine boost can usually give me just enough of a boost to get started, which for me is 75% of the battle! And make sure you stay hydrated while exercising. Thanks, Jas... I usually go after work.. so a coffee on the ride home may be a good idea!! [QUOTE=babs10]Thanks, Jas... I usually go after work.. so a coffee on the ride home may be a good idea!![/QUOTE]

Just be careful not to chug that coffee too late in the day!  I try to go before work, so that the caffeine doesn't keep me up all night.you are far better off having a piece of fruit and some nuts or string cheese before exercise than caffeine.  Then after exercise have a small snack..a protein shake, a yogurt.  The carb and protein before exercise will help give you energy and the snack post exercise will restore your blood sugar levels.  Just dont go overboard with what you eat because you dont' want to be full and bloated. This is my theory...may be totally wrong but it makes sense to me.  Sometimes we become so focused on joint pain / flares that we forget that RA causes systemic inflammation leading to flu-like symptoms, fatigue, achy feelings everywhere, sometimes a low fever...it can really sap your energy level.  Even though they don't touch the joint pain I find that NSAIDS do help a lot with the flu-like inflammation symptoms so when it gets me down I take a couple of Advil, do some yoga to loosen up, then I walk, usually about 3 miles a day (about 1 mile per walk).  It does make me feel better and regular walking is good for cardiovascular health. I take an NSAID every day 1200mg.. I am not "permitted" anything else like that for break through or incidental pain.... I wish I had the option of three short walks a day.. That would probably be perfect.. I usually walk for about 30 minutes each evening...I'm not covering much ground as I take my time, but I've only just started to walk.. [QUOTE=buckeye]you are far better off having a piece of fruit and some nuts or string cheese before exercise than caffeine.  Then after exercise have a small snack..a protein shake, a yogurt.  The carb and protein before exercise will help give you energy and the snack post exercise will restore your blood sugar levels.  Just dont go overboard with what you eat because you dont' want to be full and bloated. Try not to be so hard on yourself. I just started to exercise again this winter. Only 20 minutes a day on what I call the "pathetic wimp" setting on my elliptical. I try to walk as well. Some days I can exercise fine, other days I struggle but get through it, and sometimes I just physically can't do it. It is true that the arthritis is doing a lot more than just causing joint pain. The best you can do is to continue on with whatever you can do each day depending on how you feel. I have found exercising easier overall as time went on. I know that when I have a few bad days it is just because my body can't handle it just then. Most importatnly,  I know that I will be able to do better when I feel better. Once you find something that works for you it will help your energy level. Laker  Babs-Well now I don't feel so bad. I too have been trying to exercise for the last 2 months and finding myself so fatigued. I started by trying to dance 30 minutes to favorite tunes. I found the "dancing" I was doing was very low key as I did not have much energy or stamina. I tried some low impact aerobic dvds- same thing. Now I have been trying a 30 min walk on my lunch hr. The whole time I'm walking (so much slower than I used to) I feel like sitting on the curb to rest. I push myself but the mucsles in my legs feel like they are climbing hills on flat suraces. Thanks, all!