Diet and exercise!! WooHoo | Arthritis Information

 

Well; I've started getting serious. I've really been committed to a low calorie diet and I've even started exercising! (imagine that!) I'm doing pretty good and I'm feel better than ever. (At least in a long time anyway.) Me too Lovie!  I have started running/walking. I run for a bit, really as much as I can and I do pilates. I did a 5k not that long ago.  I am not really trying to lose weight, maybe like 5 pounds. I want to tone up. I have been trying to eat well but it is really hard since hubby and my parents got me lots of chocolate for easter. What are you doing for exercise.  I know the more active I am the more I feel better.  I can't stay still for long or I look like the tin man before he gets his oil!I'm riding my stationary bike again every morning about 5 miles and doing some strength training as well.  I need to drop several pounds so I'm also watching my diet as well.  So far I've lost about 7 pounds and hope that when the pred dose is decreased more then I'll be able to do better than this.  It still causes pain and stiffness for me but I've come to realize that this may be the best it's going to get as far as my RA is concerned and may as well just go for it.

cah! pilates!! OMG...that is painful stuff right there!!  No can do that yet!!

lovie..what a great idea...we can be diet buddies! I have a friend who runs a very active SouthBeach board... I'm a member but haven't gone there much lately..It would certainly help w/ the eating better portion... and the weather breaking.. I'll start walking my 140 lb Wolfhound... now there's a workout!! 

I would love to, just don't know how to, I start exercise and flare and have constant pain anyway, I am so fed up with fighting in my mind (over my lack of ability to do something that I once did religiously), that is the cruel part, running is my first love and all sports to be honest, I wish I could commit to this without thinking 'theres no point"  I decide to eat well and then if hubby isn't home I don't eat thru fatigue and pain and then binge when I get too hungry.  Sorry about rambling, best of luck to all who participate.  JAnie   Sorry I am on a real downer, hopefully I haven't hijacked the thread sorry. I would love to say yes but I feel like I would end up not participating after all. I have alot of good intentions and I have been eating just 1200-1400 calories forever but I cannot bring myself to exercise. I makes promises , promises and then I feel so tired I tell myself I'll do it later but later never comes.... Now it's- well the weather is going to warm up now. When it does you will start walking.... I'm game! My motivation is pretty bad lately as is my energy level. Painwise I'm doing great, so I really want to get back to my former exercising self. Would be great to have some RA friends to work out with! I have started Nordic walking and my boyfriend says he noticed I walk better and faster with the sticks than without.  I live near a park and it is not so big so I manage to walk in the park and around it and then have a coffee (no sugar) in a nearby cafe where I can sit outside and enjoy the sunshine. I got the AF's Take Control With Exercise DVD - its about .00.  I found it to be very very very good.  The PT leading the course is excellent.  Great idea. I am heavily into physical fitness and would love to be a part of this thread.Newly diagnosed, I really stepped up my exercising. I've walked on a treadmill and ridden a stationary bike forever, but now have added stretching exercises and lifting weights, trying to get back the muscle I have lost in my upper body over the last year or so. I was getting weaker and weaker, not knowing it was RA all the time.

I spend between an hour and an hour and a half exercising every day. It sounds ridiculous, but I decided that it's the main control I have over this disease and I am taking it. I exercise first thing in the morning, I would NEVER do it at night or in the afternoon, too tired. I've always been most energetic in the AM anyway. I work noon to five, so devote mornings to exercise and maybe clean the kitchen!

I'm seeing real progress and I would encourage everyone to start moving, even though it may hurt. Even a few leg lifts while watching TV, it doesn't have to be a big session at first, Want. I promise that it gets easier as time goes on, and that you will feel better.

You can probably tell from this post that I've always been active and that's the biggest thing RA has taken away. When I spend the day on the couch because I feel like crap, it makes me crazy. Now gardening season is starting and I will have to dredge up some real discipline to get both my exercising AND my garden work done.

Lastly...though I know yoga is supposed to be great for arthritis sufferers...all that stretching and holding and slow stuff makes me want to jump out of my skin.

hessalina!!  Good for you!  I'm going to use you as incentive!!

Bluehour.. you too!  Incentives all over here!! 

I have just reached a point where I feel I CAN exercise without additional pain..

Last night, Instead of driving the field where my youngest was playing lacrosse, I walked... It's not terribly far...but last year, I couldn't do it... and I also would not have been able to stand during his game..... which I did the entire time!!

This progress doesn't seem like much for some, but it's HUGE for me from where I was two years ago...... and I know that with the help of some of you, I will continue to improve and work toward a healthier Babs.......  thanks!!

babs- you gotta start somewhere!

I know a lot of people on this forum have difficulty exercising but I think most will benefit just by getting their bodies moving.

I believe the best way to lose weight is to improve your metabolism. A lot of diets actually lower your metabolism. Exercise and a permanent change in your overall eating is the key.YEAH!! I'm so happy to see you guys on this thead. Last night when I posted this I saw several folks viewed but none responded......I'm thrilled to see your responses here this morning. [QUOTE=hessalina]babs- you gotta start somewhere!

I know a lot of people on this forum have difficulty exercising but I think most will benefit just by getting their bodies moving.

I believe the best way to lose weight is to improve your metabolism. A lot of diets actually lower your metabolism. Exercise and a permanent change in your overall eating is the key.[/QUOTE] Lovie .... [QUOTE=babs10] [QUOTE=hessalina]babs- you gotta start somewhere! I know a lot of people on this forum have difficulty exercising but I think most will benefit just by getting their bodies moving. I believe the best way to lose weight is to improve your metabolism. A lot of diets actually lower your metabolism. Exercise and a permanent change in your overall eating is the key.[/QUOTE]



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Babs-
I bet if you worked out 3 weeks before starting a diet a lot of people wouldn't NEED the fad diet.That's a good idea. I could hold those weight balls while I walk. Lovie, I tried to get my poodle to run with me! BAD idea!!!   I would be curious to see if you could get yours to do it. She will walk forever, but the minute I start running..she sits down and won't budge!! [QUOTE=hessalina] Babs-
I bet if you worked out 3 weeks before starting a diet a lot of people wouldn't NEED the fad diet.[/QUOTE] and funny you mentioned the dogs.. one of my neighbors offered to walk my big guy.. but I told him I think I'm feeling up to it now.. I"ll take him with me... I know I'll have no fear of anything w/ Sullivan along for the ride... he's gia-normous!  LOLLilly loves to run! She'll run with my daughter.....but it's not on a regular basis. I've tried to get her to do the treadmill; but she acts like I'm throwing her in the brier patch! It's rediculous. I don't know how Cesar gets those dogs to do that. Lilly just loves to sit beside the treadmill and watch.....she's not real crazy about the exercise ball though. I had to make her leave the room last night. Lovie, what a great thread!  My exercise bike is my best friend!  I have a recumbent one so it is easier on the back and its great for foul weather days when I can't get out and walk.  I have added an exercise ball and rubber bands for some strengthening and toning, my weak points! It's not really exercise as such, but it's a lot of moving around - I spent yesterday afternoon working in the gardens. I am a gardening fiend and this is the first year with RA, so I am having to modify my methods. I got an excellent tool bag so I'm not running back and forth, my yard is big and I have gardens on the edge, in the back yard, around the driveway, and so on. I can already see that I'm going to have to get some good shoes to wear instead of whatever castoff tennies I have, my feet were killing me.

Husband had played golf recently so was sore. He was mowing the lawn and mimed choking on the dust so I got him a beer. I had just finished gardening, and limped slowly out toward him, he was limping toward me. By the time we met in the middle I was laughing so hard.

First glass of wine on the patio, HOORAY, and the first tick, BOO. Summer is on the way! Spring is here!Sounds good.  I'm changing my diet too.Well I was busy all weekend exercising and attending my sons' soccer games. I see that others on the forum were busy with other things (mainly arguing with one another over that stupid AP controversy).

So let's get back to IMPROVING ourselves.

If you do both cardio and weight training/toning, do the cardio second. You'll start burning fat immediately.That's good advice Hessalina. I'll try that. I'm not doing much heavy "weight training" but I'm trying to tone up as best I can. I'll start doing that first and then the treadmill. I was doing it the opposite way. I bought a fittness magazine at the grocery store last week and read it cover to cover. I loved it. I thought it was going to be just be for the really fit finatics; but it wasn't. Here's the link to their website if anyones intersted. I'm just check that out but I thought I'd post it. I'll give it a look when I have time.Good for you Lovie!! When I got on the Wii to weigh on Saturday it said I'd gained 1.3lbs! I about freaked!! I have been exercising like crazy (For me anyway) and doing great on my diet. I couldn't believe it. My daighter said the same thing; it's because I'm building muscle. Lovie-

Make sure you weigh yourself the same time every day. I always weigh myself naked in the morning as soon as I get up (I tend to be lighter that time of day!).

And as cah1418 noted the fit of your clothing is a better indicator than weight.Also, if your gut is "backed up" (trying to be delicate here) then that can easily add up to 5 pounds. LOL Jasmine. I was going to mention that too!Holy crap!! No pun intended! lol  I had no idea. That is a lot of weight!! I joined this sparkpeople.com what a neat site! All sorts of things from exersice demo's to healthy eating. Message boards and a very active community. Neat stuff. Check it out. Started weight watchers 10 weeks ago and am down twenty pounds. Also go to the gym 5-6 days a week. I do a water class 2x a week and a weight class 3x a week -- and swim on days with no classes. My swimming is not good anymore -- but i still manage to get up and down the pool. I also walk the indoor track -- made 8 circuits today. good luck all.That's awesome IW!! You go girl!! I'm sure you've got tons of tips to share. One of my good friends had great success using WeightWatchers as well.  She had about 30 pounds to lose after weaning her daughter at about 1 year, and the weight just wouldn't come off.  She said that the weekly meetings really helped her stay focused on eating right.  In a few short months she was back down to the thin side of normal. Cool website, Lovie.  I am really proud of you for making such quick progress.  I played Wii games this weekend for the first time with my nieces... I was surprised at how sore I was!  I think it was the boxing!

Jas, 5 lbs?  Really?  I used to work as a nurses' aide at a home for developmentally challenged adults. Many of them were on lots of psychotropic meds and consequently had constipation issues. The worst case I ever saw was a tiny 90-pound woman who hadn't gone #2 in over a week. Her abdomen was so distended! She had cerebral palsy and was wheelchair-bound in addition to being developmentally challenged, and that made her elimination problems even worse. Anyway, they kept giving her stool softeners, laxatives, and extra fiber to no avail. The doc ordered an enema, and it finally did the trick. She lost damn near 10 pounds. We had to empty the bucket on the potty chair twice. Poor thing was exhausted after that ordeal. Lovie-

Cool site! Thanks for sharing with us!Lovie -  Good for you Lovie.  I think that diet and exercise are the most rewarding things we can do.  I am so happy I quit smoking.  No one will get me to light one again.  I did not think I could do it living with a smoker - but hurrrrrrrrrrray - we can do anything we set our mind to. Glad to hear you're starting to feel some better Roxy. hope things continue to improve for you. Nice to see you.Roxy, nice to hear from you. I know it is difficult looking back and seeing what we "used to be able to do". But swimming is great exercise and unfortunately it is one I can no longer do and I manage quite well. My shoulder bursitis is the main problem.

It's interesting that as we age and friends and family start complaining more and more about their aches and pains when those of us with RA have been living with them for years.

Exercise seems a great idea but I am having a problem with it.  Every time i do any thing remotely looks like an exercise i get a problem, especillay in my feet.  Treadmill gave me Plantar Fascitis, personal trainer circuits of cardio, steps and strength training gave me achille tendonitis too.

Unfortunately I do not have a pool near by and I work too. I do not know what else will work for me.  I have seen great ads for these diet program but I have very few vices.  I do not smoke, drink or eat meat.  So I do not know what to give up now in order to reduce some wait.  any tips will be appreciated.

Keep well

There are many non-impact exercises available - perhaps you can pick up a couple of yoga, pilates, etc DVDs and see what works for you? Water, Water, Water! How much are you drinking per day? I think this new habit is going a long way toward helping me. I drink one LARGE cup of coffee (Sweet & Creamy) and then water the rest of the day. Some days I'm getting at least 100oz per day. I keep a 20oz bottle on my desk and fill it at the water cooler all day. Yes; I'm running back and forth to the bathroom at least every 30minutes.....but I'm really feeling good about this habit. [QUOTE=hessalina]Roxy, nice to hear from you. I know it is difficult looking back and seeing what we "used to be able to do". But swimming is great exercise and unfortunately it is one I can no longer do and I manage quite well. My shoulder bursitis is the main problem.

It's interesting that as we age and friends and family start complaining more and more about their aches and pains when those of us with RA have been living with them for years.[/QUOTE] [QUOTE=Lovie]Water, Water, Water! How much are you drinking per day? I think this new habit is going a long way toward helping me. I drink one LARGE cup of coffee (Sweet & Creamy) and then water the rest of the day. Some days I'm getting at least 100oz per day. I keep a 20oz bottle on my desk and fill it at the water cooler all day. Yes; I'm running back and forth to the bathroom at least every 30minutes.....but I'm really feeling good about this habit. [/QUOTE] I think I've always just been so lazy. Coming home in the afternoons and right away starting to do things verses sitting or laying on the couch has helped. I have to push myself after dinner to get up and go walk; but I'm always glad I did. [QUOTE=Lovie] Water, Water, Water! How much are you drinking per day? I think this new habit is going a long way toward helping me. I drink one LARGE cup of coffee (Sweet & Creamy) and then water the rest of the day. Some days I'm getting at least 100oz per day. I keep a 20oz bottle on my desk and fill it at the water cooler all day. Yes; I'm running back and forth to the bathroom at least every 30minutes.....but I'm really feeling good about this habit.

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A also keep a 20oz bottle at my desk. My workout routine call for drinking 6 of those a day. I can maybe do 4 plus a glass of diet soda at lunch and a whey protein isolate drink post workout but have a tough time getting down 6. [QUOTE=babs10] [QUOTE=hessalina]Roxy, nice to hear from you. I know it is difficult looking back and seeing what we "used to be able to do". But swimming is great exercise and unfortunately it is one I can no longer do and I manage quite well. My shoulder bursitis is the main problem. It's interesting that as we age and friends and family start complaining more and more about their aches and pains when those of us with RA have been living with them for years.[/QUOTE]

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babs-

I have a pretty hardcore routine but just don't swim. I like to reserve all water activity to a raft or the hot tub!gotcha!!  ;)[QUOTE=Lovie]I joined this sparkpeople.com what a neat site! All sorts of things from exersice demo's to healthy eating. Message boards and a very active community. Neat stuff. Check it out. [/QUOTE] I've lost 27Lbs so far with WW...I need the accountability of knowing I will weigh in weekly.   I go to aqua classes 5 days a week.  These classes range from a low impact circuit class to a high intensity water kick boxing.  I like the fact that I can moderate the workout as necessary without everyone seeing that I did.  I also walk my dog regularly.ooh. buckeye.. what an inspiration you are!!    go girl!! I do the points..the math is easier than counting calories and I like the flexibilty to eat whatever I like...within reason....[QUOTE=buckeye]I do the points..the math is easier than counting calories and I like the flexibilty to eat whatever I like...within reason....[/QUOTE]