Re: RA and Exercise

[Guest guest]

Hi Bfletcher:

I do exercise a lot. It is mainly my feet that have been affected and when flaring, it goes up my legs to my hips. I used to be a runner, but that's pretty much over now. These days, even on good ones, I can't even walk for exercise. I think I have suffered some permanent damage in my right foot. But I do go to the gym regularly. My main aerobic exercise is the recumbent bike. I do machines, free weights and also Pilates. When I was really having problems I wouldn't go to the gym, but I did do Pilates where I work with a trainer one on one. He was able to adjust our sessions depending on my pain level. And I find that stretching always feels good. One of the problems I had when flaring is a lot of cramping. Just doing stretches, even if I couldn't do anything else always helped keep things moving. I also felt that if I didn't do anything, my symptoms would just get worse. So unless I was in tremendous pain, I'd always push myself to go to the gym or at least get down on the floor and stretch.

My doctor said that exercise was fine - just be sure that you aren't compromising those parts of your body that are inflamed.

Psychologically speaking, exercise has been great for helping me feel that I still have control over my body. I think the scariest thing about having a chronic disease is that you feel betrayed by your body. I remember times when I was limping so badly, I'd see 70 year olds taking a walk down the street and thinking that I couldn't even do that (I'm 46). So getting back in shape, at least those parts of me I could, was extremely important for me to feel as close to normal as possible.

[Guest guest]

way to go, girl... we have to do the best we can and trust that it will make a favorable impression on our dangety dang dang disease! : }

i am finally able to do some of the stretch exercises.. i watch tv and try to copy Denice Austin at 6 in the mornings and though i am terribly awkward and out of sinque, i do keep the bod moving and stretching for the hour! my feet got too bad to do the regular morning walks but the inflamation is way down and have been able to do the stretches etc for about a month now and feel a LOT better. i can at least work up a sweat! i am 75 + and get tired a lot, but like you, have to use it or loose it.love.. granny lee

---- Original Message -----

From: gloriarex@...

Hi Bfletcher:

I do exercise a lot. It is mainly my feet that have been affected and when flaring, it goes up my legs to my hips. I used to be a runner, but that's pretty much over now. These days, even on good ones, I can't even walk for exercise. I think I have suffered some permanent damage in my right foot. But I do go to the gym regularly. My main aerobic exercise is the recumbent bike. I do machines, free weights and also Pilates. When I was really having problems I wouldn't go to the gym, but I did do Pilates where I work with a trainer one on one. He was able to adjust our sessions depending on my pain level. And I find that stretching always feels good. One of the problems I had when flaring is a lot of cramping. Just doing stretches, even if I couldn't do anything else always helped keep things moving. I also felt that if I didn't do anything, my symptoms would just get worse. So unless I was in tremendous pain, I'd always push myself to go to the gym or at least get down on the floor and stretch.

My doctor said that exercise was fine - just be sure that you aren't compromising those parts of your body that are inflamed.

Psychologically speaking, exercise has been great for helping me feel that I still have control over my body. I think the scariest thing about having a chronic disease is that you feel betrayed by your body. I remember times when I was limping so badly, I'd see 70 year olds taking a walk down the street and thinking that I couldn't even do that (I'm 46). So getting back in shape, at least those parts of me I could, was extremely important for me to feel as close to normal as possible.