Exercise (particularly weight lifting) and Mito?

[Guest guest]

Don't know why I didn't think to ask this earlier (including the neurologist)

but wondering if exercise is good, bad or neutral with Mito, particularly weight

lifting. Is a little exercise okay and even good, but strenuous or vigorous

exercise, e.g. lifting relatively heavy weights or high intensity aerobic

exercise like running, bad? Does it all depend on how severe each person's Mito

is?

Also, related to heart problems and Mito, how would one know if they have heart

problems or involvement from Mito? Talking about the physical heart, not

emotional " problems of the heart "

Thanks for any feedback

Randall

[Guest guest]

Randall

Most mito docs recommend as much exercise as the body tolerates

without causing an increase in symptoms. My son was told to try weight

training rather than aerobic exercise. He is now able to walk 3-4

miles at a time and had externive exercise intolerance before. He

lives a healthy life sytle - eating properly and getting enough sleep

and resting when needs to. His mito wasn't severe when he started his

exercise program. Some people do well with short bursts of exercise

and others have to get past the initial phase and then can do harder

exercise. I started too late to do much of an exercise program,

although did walk 2 miles a day before symptoms began getting bad. I

still do stretching everyday and use a floor pedal unit 3 times a week

- a bit at a time throughout the day. Most of the exercise approach is

trial and error as we are so different in our defects and stage of

progression. Just remember that you need to start out slowly and that

symptoms of " too much " might now happen a couple of days later.

Cardiac problems can be picked up with a yearly EKG and echo. Any of

the cardiac symptoms of " normal " folks should also be addressed.

laurie

>

>

>

>

>

>

> Don't know why I didn't think to ask this earlier (including the

> neurologist) but wondering if exercise is good, bad or neutral with Mito,

> particularly weight lifting. Is a little exercise okay and even good, but

> strenuous or vigorous exercise, e.g. lifting relatively heavy weights or

> high intensity aerobic exercise like running, bad? Does it all depend on how

> severe each person's Mito is?

>

> Also, related to heart problems and Mito, how would one know if they have

> heart problems or involvement from Mito? Talking about the physical heart,

> not emotional " problems of the heart "

>

> Thanks for any feedback

>

> Randall

>

>

[Guest guest]

Randall,

You will no doubt get lots of great replies to this one.

I was " working out " alot when I became my worst. Most Mito docs agree that

mild forms of exercise are good so that atrophe etc does not set in. But due to

the nature of the energy crisis in the Mitochondrial, strenuous " no pain no

gain " exercise is not only damaging but potentially life threatening to most of

us.

Even when my Dx was MS I was told to walk at a pace that did not wind me.

And for short duration. I am at 20 minutes at what my hubby calls a backward

stroll! LOL I also ride my bike but only to feel freedom and the wind in my

face, no marathons!

I am a Never say die kind of gal. I would advise you again to listen to your

body. If you can lift weights and feel recovered the next day you are ok. But

if you can't move or get out of bed...... well.....?

Hugs,

Elle

Randall Bosin ranbo1@...> wrote:

Don't know why I didn't think to ask this earlier (including the

neurologist) but wondering if exercise is good, bad or neutral with Mito,

particularly weight lifting. Is a little exercise okay and even good, but

strenuous or vigorous exercise, e.g. lifting relatively heavy weights or high

intensity aerobic exercise like running, bad? Does it all depend on how severe

each person's Mito is?

Also, related to heart problems and Mito, how would one know if they have heart

problems or involvement from Mito? Talking about the physical heart, not

emotional " problems of the heart "

Thanks for any feedback

Randall

[Guest guest]

Elle,

Did any doctor tell you specifically to avoid weight lifting?

The neuro who says I have Mito (thinks its mild, I presume) didn't say anything

about restrictions on exercising; maybe I'll check with him. Wondering, for

instance, if I do lift weights, whether I should take an extra day or two

between working the same muscles. As it is, so far, I'm lucky if I keep to

lifting once a week Was thinking of lifting some today, which would be 3

days rest. Was too sore to do it any sooner, but some of this was because I

hadn't lifted in 3 weeks.

Randall

Re: Exercise (particularly weight lifting) and Mito?

Randall,

You will no doubt get lots of great replies to this one.

I was " working out " alot when I became my worst. Most Mito docs agree that

mild forms of exercise are good so that atrophe etc does not set in. But due to

the nature of the energy crisis in the Mitochondrial, strenuous " no pain no

gain " exercise is not only damaging but potentially life threatening to most of

us.

Even when my Dx was MS I was told to walk at a pace that did not wind me. And

for short duration. I am at 20 minutes at what my hubby calls a backward stroll!

LOL I also ride my bike but only to feel freedom and the wind in my face, no

marathons!

I am a Never say die kind of gal. I would advise you again to listen to your

body. If you can lift weights and feel recovered the next day you are ok. But if

you can't move or get out of bed...... well.....?

Hugs,

Elle

Randall Bosin ranbo1@...> wrote:

Don't know why I didn't think to ask this earlier (including the neurologist)

but wondering if exercise is good, bad or neutral with Mito, particularly weight

lifting. Is a little exercise okay and even good, but strenuous or vigorous

exercise, e.g. lifting relatively heavy weights or high intensity aerobic

exercise like running, bad? Does it all depend on how severe each person's Mito

is?

Also, related to heart problems and Mito, how would one know if they have

heart problems or involvement from Mito? Talking about the physical heart, not

emotional " problems of the heart "

Thanks for any feedback

Randall

[Guest guest]

Hi, Randall

Just a quick reply on exercising. Others here know my dedication to

resistance training. I feel it has really helped me gain some strength

back. I get tremendously sore from 24 hours to 72 hours afterwards

(approx) so I have devised a protocol of doing each muscle group once

a week, and then trying to do it thoroughly, and then laying off using

those muscles extensively (as in gardening) till I have fully

recovered. The docs have mixed opinions about it, but some preliminary

research shows it MIGHT benefit SOME mito patients. Drs Haller in

Texas, and Tarnapolski in Hamilton have both done some work in the

area. Dr. Tarnopolsky feels a weight to allow 12-15 reps is best, and

any heavier might be too much. I used to work on 10 -12, and am trying

to adhere to the 12-15 now. He also recommends plenty of recovery

time, but probably less than my idea of a week. I just found when I

first started, and did it more frequently (moderation is not my long

suit) I had NO progress. Creatine, which Dr. Tarnapolsky also speaks

favorably about, has definitely helped me as well. I would say I

gained strength from way below normal to almost normal now. I do think

we are Goldilocks, and not too much and not too little of anything is

important. So, if you are a big-time lifter (which I was not - never

touched weights till I was desparate, at about the age of 56) I would

say you need to back off. Also, I need more rest time in between

sets, and need to be sure to rest when I get home. There is a danger of

muscle breakdown in some conditions. Can't take time to look it up,

but I think it is spelled rhabdomyolysis. You might want to look that

up sometime. I indulge very carefully, but it is definitely worth it

for me. One of the best discoveries I have made to try to help myself.

Best regards

Sunny

> Elle,

>

> Did any doctor tell you specifically to avoid weight lifting?

>

> The neuro who says I have Mito (thinks its mild, I presume) didn't

> say anything about restrictions on exercising; maybe I'll check with

> him. Wondering, for instance, if I do lift weights, whether I should

> take an extra day or two between working the same muscles. As it is,

> so far, I'm lucky if I keep to lifting once a week Was thinking of

> lifting some today, which would be 3 days rest. Was too sore to do it

> any sooner, but some of this was because I hadn't lifted in 3 weeks.

>

> Randall

>

> Re: Exercise (particularly weight lifting) and

> Mito?

>

> Randall,

>

> You will no doubt get lots of great replies to this one.

>

> I was " working out " alot when I became my worst. Most Mito docs agree

> that mild forms of exercise are good so that atrophe etc does not set

> in. But due to the nature of the energy crisis in the Mitochondrial,

> strenuous " no pain no gain " exercise is not only damaging but

> potentially life threatening to most of us.

>

> Even when my Dx was MS I was told to walk at a pace that did not wind

> me. And for short duration. I am at 20 minutes at what my hubby calls

> a backward stroll! LOL I also ride my bike but only to feel freedom

> and the wind in my face, no marathons!

>

> I am a Never say die kind of gal. I would advise you again to listen

> to your body. If you can lift weights and feel recovered the next day

> you are ok. But if you can't move or get out of bed...... well.....?

>

> Hugs,

> Elle

>

> Randall Bosin ranbo1@...> wrote:

> Don't know why I didn't think to ask this earlier (including the

> neurologist) but wondering if exercise is good, bad or neutral with

> Mito, particularly weight lifting. Is a little exercise okay and even

> good, but strenuous or vigorous exercise, e.g. lifting relatively

> heavy weights or high intensity aerobic exercise like running, bad?

> Does it all depend on how severe each person's Mito is?

>

> Also, related to heart problems and Mito, how would one know if they

> have heart problems or involvement from Mito? Talking about the

> physical heart, not emotional " problems of the heart "

>

> Thanks for any feedback

>

> Randall

>

>

[Guest guest]

My GP finally did tell me to stop due to exercise intolerance. I can still lift

small amounts of weight until I feel tension i.e. 1 # for 3 reps of 15 each.

My club was great about giving me a discount due to medical issues and

understanding when I wasnt there for weeks etc. My trainer immediately stopped

pushing me into " weight lifting " when he found out I had a neuro muscular

disease and concentrated on maintaining what muscle I had and slowly building

up. I now have no muscle mass to speak of and gained over 100# but that's

another trauma ;-)

I would suggest you talk to your trainer, if you don't have one, drop down a

few pounds until you do not feel over fatigued. Slight tightness and some

achiness that goes away over night are your markers for success.

Once a week is better than nothing, but if you are lifting heavy or many reps,

you aren't doing any good. Only damage ? It is better to stick to a steady one

day on one off and definitely rotate muscle groups i.e. upper then lower the

next time. And keep the weight lighter.

Please understand I can no longer do these workouts. But it worked for a

while. And I have a maternally (Mtdna) mutation. Being a man, you will

definitely react differently.

The MDA website was a very valuable tool for me I remember. I don't have the

addy but you can probably search or google it?

Hugs,

Elle

Randall Bosin ranbo1@...> wrote:

Elle,

Did any doctor tell you specifically to avoid weight lifting?

The neuro who says I have Mito (thinks its mild, I presume) didn't say anything

about restrictions on exercising; maybe I'll check with him. Wondering, for

instance, if I do lift weights, whether I should take an extra day or two

between working the same muscles. As it is, so far, I'm lucky if I keep to

lifting once a week Was thinking of lifting some today, which would be 3 days

rest. Was too sore to do it any sooner, but some of this was because I hadn't

lifted in 3 weeks.

Randall

Re: Exercise (particularly weight lifting) and Mito?

Randall,

You will no doubt get lots of great replies to this one.

I was " working out " alot when I became my worst. Most Mito docs agree that mild

forms of exercise are good so that atrophe etc does not set in. But due to the

nature of the energy crisis in the Mitochondrial, strenuous " no pain no gain "

exercise is not only damaging but potentially life threatening to most of us.

Even when my Dx was MS I was told to walk at a pace that did not wind me. And

for short duration. I am at 20 minutes at what my hubby calls a backward stroll!

LOL I also ride my bike but only to feel freedom and the wind in my face, no

marathons!

I am a Never say die kind of gal. I would advise you again to listen to your

body. If you can lift weights and feel recovered the next day you are ok. But if

you can't move or get out of bed...... well.....?

Hugs,

Elle

Randall Bosin ranbo1@...> wrote:

Don't know why I didn't think to ask this earlier (including the neurologist)

but wondering if exercise is good, bad or neutral with Mito, particularly weight

lifting. Is a little exercise okay and even good, but strenuous or vigorous

exercise, e.g. lifting relatively heavy weights or high intensity aerobic

exercise like running, bad? Does it all depend on how severe each person's Mito

is?

Also, related to heart problems and Mito, how would one know if they have heart

problems or involvement from Mito? Talking about the physical heart, not

emotional " problems of the heart "

Thanks for any feedback

Randall

[Guest guest]

Randall,

I have a form of mito that effects my peripheral neuromuscular systems. My

neck, arms, legs have progressively gotten weaker over the past 17 years. I have

been in a wheelchair for 6 years now. I will be 52 this year. About 3 years ago

I started working out in a pool at my local YMCA. In the water I can walk. My

hands are to weak to hold weights but I wear webbed gloves and use the water for

resistance to work my upper body. I hired a trainer to help me while I work out.

Initially, I would be exhausted and sore and tight all that day after exercising

1 hour with my trainer. Now my recovery time is shorter and usually not as

server. I do believe that exercising without consideration of your nutrition

will not produce the same positive result. So, I working on improving my

nutrition, an area I must continue to improve. I am more fit. I have lost some

weight and my body chemistry is slightly better...but, I am still in a

wheelchair and my hands and feet don't work so well.

Dave

Don't know why I didn't think to ask this earlier (including the neurologist)

but wondering if exercise is good, bad or neutral with Mito, particularly weight

lifting. Is a little exercise okay and even good, but strenuous or vigorous

exercise, e.g. lifting relatively heavy weights or high intensity aerobic

exercise like running, bad? Does it all depend on how severe each person's Mito

is?

Also, related to heart problems and Mito, how would one know if they have

heart problems or involvement from Mito? Talking about the physical heart, not

emotional " problems of the heart "

Thanks for any feedback

Randall

[Guest guest]

Good point, Dave

I also make sure I have proper nutrition when I work out. There are

some differences of opinion about the ratio of carbs to protein, but

they all say the body needs both, before and after a work out. I don't

mess around with that either. I find fewer carbs and more protein is

better for me, so I usually make a shake with skim milk, plain

yoghurt, (some carbs in both), about 20 grams of protein powder, and

5 grams of creatine. I take 1/2 of it about an hour before I start,

and the other half when I finish. The " Ironman " type magazines have a

lot of discussion on this topic, and I tried to adapt something that

made sense to me.

> I do believe that exercising without consideration of your nutrition

> will not produce the same positive result. So, I working on improving

> my nutrition, an area I must continue to improve.

[Guest guest]

Just thought it worth mentioning that our mito doc here (neurologist) in Sydney

Prof Sue has done a study and now runs exercise programs for her mito patients,

which involve cycling and working up to good aerobic cardiac rates for half hour

periods, three times a week, to give more energy to her patients. My son 22 is

doing it now - it lasts 12 wks. My daughter couldn't handle it though as she is

not well enough yet (from depression). Heart rate is monitored. Prof Sue

says that it was once thought that this was bad but now believes the reverse is

true. Also I believe I heard this from one or two on this group. If I hear

more details about this study eg if and when this would not be indicated in some

I will post them (rhabdomyelosis as below?). Pamela Exercise (particularly weight lifting) and Mito?

Don't know why I didn't think to ask this earlier (including the neurologist)

but wondering if exercise is good, bad or neutral with Mito, particularly weight

lifting. Is a little exercise okay and even good, but strenuous or vigorous

exercise, e.g. lifting relatively heavy weights or high intensity aerobic

exercise like running, bad? Does it all depend on how severe each person's Mito

is?

Also, related to heart problems and Mito, how would one know if they have

heart problems or involvement from Mito? Talking about the physical heart, not

emotional " problems of the heart "

Thanks for any feedback

Randall

[Guest guest]

I have had mild, fluctuating weakness over the years but am not sure if I've

ever really had much if any exercise intolerance. That is, when I build up and

get in shape, I seem to be able to exercise for a good amount of time, e.g.

walking for 90 minutes or aerobic dancing for 30-40 minutes. I couldn't run a

marathon but wonder, in this respect, if I have less ability to do sustained

exercise than most people my age (early 50s) and shape. If one has " exercise

intolerance " would they definitely know it? When I hear or read about exercise

intolerance being so related to Mito it adds to my doubt as to whether I really

have Mito.

Randall

Exercise (particularly weight lifting) and Mito?

Don't know why I didn't think to ask this earlier (including the neurologist)

but wondering if exercise is good, bad or neutral with Mito, particularly weight

lifting. Is a little exercise okay and even good, but strenuous or vigorous

exercise, e.g. lifting relatively heavy weights or high intensity aerobic

exercise like running, bad? Does it all depend on how severe each person's Mito

is?

Also, related to heart problems and Mito, how would one know if they have

heart problems or involvement from Mito? Talking about the physical heart, not

emotional " problems of the heart "

Thanks for any feedback

Randall