Re: Diabetes and exercise with CMT

[Guest guest]

Matt,

OK, consider I do not have diabetes, but from 6 days of aquatics a

week, plus calorie cut, I lost 35 lbs. That was 2 years ago and have

kept it off. Get in a pool and start churning the water. Some people

at PF where I go do 'traditional' laps, others do high intensity

cardio, others jog in water, still others with physical problems can

do what I do, others walk in water. All using water as resistance.

The " hard core " group use the current - adjustable up to 7 miles per

hour. Give water exercise a try.

~ Gretchen

>

> Hello all.

>

> I am looking for some opinions on exercise and Diabeties. I have

been diagosed with Type 2 Diabetes and I have CMT 1A. I have let

myself get very heavy over the years and I have between 50-70 LBS to

lose. I have lost 10 lbs already in the last month by riding a

stationary bike each day. Sometimes I take my normal bike as well.

I find that both bikes are hard on my knee's. I also walk 20

minutes a day. So I have 2 questions. 1. Has anyone used eliptical

machines and do you find they are OK on you body? 2. What if any

types of excerise do you recommend so I can lose some weight?

>

> Thanks

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

For stationary bikes and normal bikes it is REALLY important to have the

seat high enough. I mean high enough so that your knees have just a bend

(think about 10 degrees from straight) when your legs fully extend. This is

an unusual feeling, but creates less stress on the joints and also more

power in the full cycle turn.

When properly adjusted a cycle is great and optimal for joints as it is

non-weight bearing.

It is the same with swimming or aqua exercise.

Whereas the elliptical machines are weight bearing - as is walking.

I find my body responds much better to non weight bearing activities.

Good luck and it is great that you are cycling! I am trying my best to keep

up my rhythm, am still at the gym about 3 times a week (although not 5 like

in the run up to the triathlon - mostly due to my elbow injury being a

deterrent).

Donna from London

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[Guest guest]

Thanks,Gretchen,

I really need to get back in the pool. I did it before for about 4 months, it

was the greatest thing. Just getting the time to be able to go swim and then

come back home is over an hour. Hard to find most day with 3 children and a

wife. Life sure is full right now. It's nice having the knowledge to give my

daughter the advantage I never of had of knowing about CMT. Sure makes being a

Dad a whole lot easier.

Have a good Day,

Matt

[Guest guest]

Donna, thanks for the tip. I am doing about 18-20km per day. I do it in 2

shots. One in the morning and 1 at night. I can't believe I can do it for this

long. I should be taking my Creatine again. I think I will start now. First

time I have really tried Creatine. Have a snack as well. It's pretty cool

being on a low carb diet, as well as excercising. It's making a huge

difference. My lungs have never felt better. So far I have lost 12lbs. Every 3

days or so I can notice a bit of difference. The higher seat is way better. My

knee's have been much better. I have been doing it for the last 3 days. It's

working out very well. Thanks again.

Canada

CMT1A - Daughter as well

[Guest guest]

I have lost some weight too...I'm also diabetic..I feel so much better. I was on

alot of meds that I should not have been on. In all honesty I think they were

killing me. The Avanda alone put on 12 lbs a year, not counting the other pills

I was on that also caused weight gain.

This site was recommend to me by a doctor....I have lost 20lbs so far...have

30lbs to go! www.Mendosa.com Tell me what you think.

Blessings

Geri

[Guest guest]

Hi from Canada!

I am so excited for you and so happy my small tip helped! 18 - 20 km a day

is great. That is what I was doing when I was triathlon training - who

knows if you add in swimming too you too could do a half triathlon as a goal

(that was mine)!

Keep us posted. I love hearing positive news.

Donna from London

[Guest guest]

Very good Geri. FYI... I had some creatine did not take to many. I had stopped

and was going to wait until I started working out again. Anyways, my wife

inventories for a living and got talking to the guy of a heath store and he

stated that creatine can cause minor damage to your kidney, so not good for

diabetics.

Take Care,

Matt

[Guest guest]

Donna, thanks again for the tip. It has been almost 2 months that I have been

eating better and exercising. I have lost 21 lbs so far and feel better then I

ever have. Not biking as hard as I was. Only doing once a day 12-14kms. I also

try and go for a walk but that has been getting harder as work has been way

busier. Still have not added in the swimming, although I sure wish I had the

time. Going downstairs is much easier then getting ready, going to the pool and

swimming.

I have noticed another positive benefit, my knee's don't wobble as much. The

muscle is getting much tighter although, my right is leg has not caught up with

my left. I have dislocated my right knee so many times now, it has a long way

to go. I am on the right track though.

Thanks again,

from Canada (although to match yours Donna, I guess it would be

from Stoney Creek)

P.S. I like stating where we are all from. I find my self wondering where CMT

all started from. As I think mine was passed on from my Dad who was from London

as well and moved to Canada in the 50's. My mom was tested and she was

negative. My neuro, told me that I was probably not a mutation as they usually

are more servere cases then mine.

[Guest guest]

Hi Matt,

I am so glad to hear about your weight loss and cycling!

Today I went to the gym on the cycle for the first time in about a month or so.

I got on the cycle and did an easy 10km. I set the resistance at the lowest

possible and wore my heart rate monitor and kept things at about 100 beats per

minute (which is much lower than my normal workout rate). But, I haven't been

to the gym in so long as they rebuilt my elbow 3 weeks ago - so I thought this

was a good first effort.

Interesting about your knees. Mine dislocate too. I dislocated my elbow in

June. So it is still in a splint (will be in a non flexible splint for a few

more weeks until they make the hinged brace, then 9 more weeks with a hinges

brace, then physiotherapy to get the full range of motion back). Rebuilding

muscle is the thing that scares me most. That is my 2008 plan for my arms and

legs.

Anyway, to maximise workouts I really recommend a heart rate monitor. I have a

polar lowest cost which came with the heart band which is read on the watch.

When I do workout for fitness (which I can't for a while) I keep my heartrate at

about 125 TO 150. That is the fat burning zone. That way the distance is not

as important - it tracks effort and calorie burn.

Take care and keep us posted!

Donna from London

[Guest guest]

,

I also wondered about that. I think the cold weathre has something to do w ith

it. The loss of peripheral nerve function, I mean.

Dawn