Pilates.. I'm trying! | Arthritis Information
My RD suggested I try the Pilates ball for exercises since I have bad feet and bad shoulder (not to mention hips and hands). The DVD that came with the ball can't help because that is not set up to help people with all my problems. So I very wisely, had a lesson from a pilates teacher who individualized it to my needs. Unfortunately, I seem to have the memory of a turnip so even her drawings aren't helping me much at home. I keep rolling off the ball! I really am kinda funny looking. I need to exercise for all my joints and osteopenia and fatigue etc. I also have the theraband to work with. So, I will keep trying. Maybe I'll end up with a flat tummy and defined abs--ha!
When my feet improve, I plan to go back to pool therapy; when my shoulder lets me, I'll swim again.
Do any of you have a specific exercise technique that works for you?
CathyMarie
That's the spirit CathyMarie! Keep trying! Did you ever see one of those dung beetles rolling that ball of s#@% around? I always imagined that is what I looked like when I do my best interpretation of the suggested exercises! (Only less gracefully
I personally could NEVER do Pilates with a ball. When I was at my best I did Pilates and couldn't use the ball.....I kept the Pilates class intertained. I finally gave up because I realized that I could really hurt myself. At my best I'm a klutz, after RA and PsA I'm pathetic. I do water exercises. No way I can hurt myself......just me and all the other white hairs, in our one piece bathing suits, trying to look graceful and smiling and grimacing through the exercises. LindyNormally I would say that sounds like a good idea. LOL My lower back is acting up and I have to get another shot in my shoulder Monday. Just be careful. I don't think I could catsh myself if I fell off of the ball. Good Luck!Oh please excuse my spelling and typing. It is worse than ususal this week due to the flexeril or the flare in combonation. My fingers don't work as well and neither does my brain.[QUOTE=waddie]That's the spirit CathyMarie! Keep trying! Did you ever see one of those dung beetles rolling that ball of s#@% around? I always imagined that is what I looked like when I do my best interpretation of the suggested exercises! (Only less gracefully [/QUOTE]
DUNG Beetle.. I would never have made that connection, but it is ever embedded in my brain!!
YOu GO! CathyMarie... I cannot do it.. and that I realize!
I looooooove pilates, although I have not done it with the ball, and not so often since RA. But I was in the best shape/weight of my life with pilatesAnother reason not to use that ball It can burst and there is a recall.
WOW!! It is a dangerous world out there.I've been using a ball too. I've got to read that. I keep thinking while I'm sitting on it..."What if this thing pops?!?!" I'm break my tailbone for sure!
I haven't watched the DVD that came with mine because the DVD player in my exercise room (K~Spare bedroom.....but it's quickly becoming my exercise room). I'll have to watch it from another room because all I do now is sit on it and lift the little 2lb rubber ballls that came with it. I do a little resistance bands; but I don't think I'm doing it right.
I was thinking the same thing about my dog getting her hooks in it! lol I think she'd have a heart attack if that thing popped on her. I do pilates. I swear nothing works as well as those exercises!
I don't use the ball. I do windsor pilates and I have taken some classes. I recomend the windsor videos. They always have a girl doing a modified version.
LOVE them. I have been doing pilates since I was probably 13 years old.
Good luck to you!
Good luck.Is there something on the web that shows you what to do? Lovie-
Maybe
[QUOTE=CathyMarie] I keep rolling off the ball! I really am kinda funny looking. [/quote]
Like Lindy, even at my best, the exercise ball was beyond my meager talents. Once I am on the floor I need more than a modicum of assistance to get up on those days when both hands and wrists are inflamed and/or painful.
[quote]Do any of you have a specific exercise technique that works for you?[/QUOTE]
I walk nearly every day, it is not always fun and often takes every bit of fortitude I can muster, but I nearly always feel better after even a short walk to the mailbox and back.
I admire people who have an exercise routine and stick to it.
Best wishes, Shug
[QUOTE=CathyMarie]My RD suggested I try the Pilates ball for exercises since I have bad feet and bad shoulder (not to mention hips and hands). The DVD that came with the ball can't help because that is not set up to help people with all my problems. So I very wisely, had a lesson from a pilates teacher who individualized it to my needs. Unfortunately, I seem to have the memory of a turnip so even her drawings aren't helping me much at home. I keep rolling off the ball! I really am kinda funny looking. I need to exercise for all my joints and osteopenia and fatigue etc. I also have the theraband to work with. So, I will keep trying. Maybe I'll end up with a flat tummy and defined abs--ha!
Ah, the luxury of having access to a pool...unfortunately, the only pool I have access to is the puddle in the garden after it rains.
There are exercises that don't require expensive equipment, resistance bands, etc.
I just did a google search and came up with lots of different videos and demo's. It's given me a few ideas but I'll have to check them out from home and see I can do some of it. I have bad low back problems and a lot of this stuff where you lay on the floor and lift your legs is very difficult for me to manage.
sparkpeople.com has some youtube video's about the ball that I think might help me some. We'll see. I'll let you know how it goes.
I adore yoga. Check out this book
Yoga for Arthritis: The Complete Guide (Paperback)
by Loren Fishman MD (Author)
It's only , and it has modified poses and separate sections for every joint in the body. It's easy to build a set that will work for you. You can get it at amazon.
http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/workout/pilates/exercises/
here's some demo's on the Fittness magazine website (New Favorite by the way!) Thought I'd share. Wow, thanks everybody... this is a great post. I will check out those sites recommended.
Jasmine, I do have a water kickboard to lay on to still get my legs moving while my shoulders are bad. Unfortunately, the pool I have access to is at a healthclub (only /mo) but they have that matting on the concrete floor that just kills my already hurting feet. I have those water shoes which help some, but until my feet feel ok without my special shoes & orthotics, it's too hard to get from dressing room to pool.... and I don't dare risk those getting wet and ruined. But, I'm thinking that this new Ultram is helping mask my feet pain a little, a benefit I hadn't predicted, so maybe I can go back to the pool sooner than I thought!
To those of you who can walk... I sure wish I could join you. It's good for weight loss and strengthening, it's free, it's out in nature, it makes little dogs happy. I miss it.
I'm very out of shape, well I have a shape... one I don't like! I need to lose 20lbs, although according to the BMI chart, it's only 3 lbs. My sweet husband said he's surprised it's even 3 ... he's a keeper!
In the meantime, I'm still trying this pilates. She showed me exercises on the ball, up against a wall, on the floor, standing... things to strengthen feet, shoulders, hips and my core... although I don't think I have one of those.
Good luck to all of us who are trying hard to do more than before... any little bit helps, right?
Cathy
There are some great Pilates DVD's out there, that's all I ever did. The sad thing is that the only reason I don't do them now is because we don't have carpeting. I don't know that my tailbone is involved, but I can't workout on hardwood or laminate, even with one of those mats, it just hurts too bad. So maybe I should get one of those balls!
For now, my workout is walking on the treadmill while I watch The Price is Right. Seriously, its a great part of my day! :)
Bonnie Lou-
THe Yoga sounds good.
Copyright ArthritisInsight.com