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[dept_geek]

Hey all....

So I took a peek in the Fluffy Forumites thread.. eeekkk!  I can't do any of that stuff (no kickboxing or running or heavy weights or jump rope ...... you get the idea).  Rather than derailing that thread (or worse - being told, well if I can do it, surely you can.......... blech), I thought I would ask you all..

What are your strategies for getting in some exercise without making your chronic condition worse? 

When I can, I swim, walk on a treadmill (no walking on concrete for this geek), lift light weights, ride a stationary bike... but it's the long periods of "who are you kidding??" that are making me fluffy.   

ideas? 

[msparticularity]

My situation is rather like yours, in that I can't handle the high-impact stuff and sometimes have fairly long stretches when vigorous anything is just not possible. I was a long-distance runner and a Jazzercise nut in my early adulthood, so this has been a very rude awakening for me. Also, I can't swim because the chlorine is so irritating to my skin. :( 

Type II diabetes runs in my family and I began to edge into carb intolerance nearly 20 years ago (while gaining 50 pounds as I also became unable to tolerate the high-impact exercise). I finally took off the weight after several years by changing my diet radically and increasing my activity level to  consistently moderate. My solution has been to walk religiously-- even if some days it is just to the end of the block. My big moment of truth on the level of activity I could tolerate came several years ago, when I began working out more intensively, and put myself in bed for three days. My rheumy pointed out then that I just can't do that sh!t any more; I have to pace myself and really, really listen to my body so I don't overdo.

I still do swing up and down by 8 pounds or so, especially if I'm on steroids. But for the moment what is working reasonably well is for me to remember that any exercise at all "counts," even if it wouldn't look worth doing from my former perspective--or that of a lot of my fit friends and colleagues.

Good luck, and you are definitely not alone!

[verbena]

Have you tried yoga, with an instructor who is aware of your physical limitations? Or a personal trainer at the gym, if you can afford it -- or a weekly Pilates session with an instructor, likewise aware of what your body can handle?

Shifting to different activities is one thing; I've found that having regularly scheduled classes or appointments (even with a friend, to walk with) helps a lot as well.   

[elsie]

I do water exercise classes, and I have been since my mid-30s because of my fibromyalgia and various chronic pain issues. These are water exercise classes sponsored by YMCA/YWCA or hospital rehab programs. I've done the Arthritis Foundation classes in the past, and I'm currently doing a water form of Tai Chi. My balance has greatly improved, and I might look into a regular Tai Chi class, now that my balance is better. Look for these kinds of classes in your area as they're designed for people with chronic health issues.

[ucprof]

I rotate cardio exercise.  Elliptical trainer one day, walking several miles next day, bike next day, maybe a swim or a hike, depends on weather and mood and what body part is the most problematic.  Foot hurts - ride the bike.  Pelvic area hurts - elliptical or walk.  allergies - do stuff in doors like elliptical.  mental stress - get outside for some fresh air.  Options seem to be the key.

[peppergal]

I suffer from a combination of tendinitis in my ankles and arthritis in my hips that makes most exercise extremely painful.  I've found that Pilates works well for me, especially after I found an instructor who knows how to modify the exercises to accomodate my limitations.

[dept_geek]

Thanks all.