Who exercises?

[Salamander2]

Hi All,
In the early part of the year (Jan-April),  before my symptoms got bad,  I had lost 25 lbs and felt pretty good.  I had new symptoms in June and it has been almost impossible to exercise since then due to the fatigue. As a result, the 25 lbs are back, AND they brought friends.

I need to know,  if I can get enough energy, would it be wise to start riding my recumbent bike again.  I just don't want to get overheated or use all my energy exercising for 20 minutes!  

What do you all do?

[Salamander2]

Thanks for your suggestions.  I am going to get started with my bike and make sure I have a fan and water close by.  Hopefully my 25 lbs will go away (and take their friends)
Sally

[Fluffysmom]

I had lost over 100 pounds, but after herniating a disc and then all my neurological symptoms starting in February, I've gained back at least 35.  I totally sympathize; I find it almost impossible to exercise.

I'm trying, though.  I wear a pedometer, to keep track of how much I'm moving around, and I've started physical therapy to work on muscles to support my back and my atrophied quads so that I can try to get back to my latest love in exercise; water aerobics.

It's not quite aerobic, but it can work your whole body as easy or as hard as you're able.  I used to go to 24 Hour Fitness an average of 3 times a week, warming up a little on the treadmill (their's have fans built in), then going to class.  The water is so cool, I have to wear a rash guard shirt to keep warm enough to keep my shoulder muscles from cramping.

I would love to go back by at least walking through the water; great support, plus the resistance of water.  Unfortunately, the lap swimmers get upset if walkers take a lane.  After some more physical therapy, I plan on going to a water aerobics class with one of my favorite instructors, talk to her before class and explain that I'll have to take it real easy, and just get moving again.

I also know of one physical therapy place near me where they have a pool, and use it for therapy.  I may look into going there if I feel I need another step before I go back to water aerobics.

Be well,

Kathy

[Lulu54]

Sally,
I'm exercising most days during my lunch time and 4 days after work.  BUT I have the serious advantage of working on a college campus with a state of the art gym facility, complete with indoor track and swimming pool.  

At lunchtime  I walk  a leisurely 1/2-1 mile on the track  and do strength training with the weight machines- this is 3-4 days a week in a very air-conditioned (translation: cold) building.   After work I have a Tai Chi Class and a water aerobics class - they both meet twice a week on opposite days.  If I feel inclined I also swim laps before aerobics.

Then on the weekend I do absolutely nothing! I turn into a couch potato.  I have a wonderful support network of coworkers encouraging me to be active and that helps a lot.  

The only thing I am missing is a cardio workout, which I hesitate to do because tht would cause me to overheat. I had to forget walking on the treadmill when I feel off it this summer because my feet couldn't keep up the pace.

I have never had good upper body strength - can't do a pushup or pullup - and I'm trying to strengthen those muscles.  Right now I am able to walk on my own, but I'm working those muscles keeping in mind my condition could change without much warning.  

Yes, it sounds like I have turned type A personality with this and I probably have to a certain extent, but I am enjoying the added benefit of exercise- I've lost close to 50 pounds this year with the exercise and watching what I eat (translation: no mass quantities of beer, which I used to love!). And I had to buy all new clothes.

Be active if you can, Lulu

[jensequitur]

I try to exercise three times a week, 35 minutes at a time.  I do the elliptical trainer, because it's the only one I can stay on and not fall off!

[Quixotic1]

HI! Penn, good to see you!

First off:  I AM in shape.  Round is a shape.

I am so impressed with all of you that manage to exercise.  Kudos!

I am trying a new thing.  My balance is so bad, I expend all of my energy catching myself and walking in a zigzag.  I live on a steep slope - both ways - so can't walk around the neighborhood.  o I have been driving to the grocery store and using the cart as a walker, I walk the aisles about 4-5 times a week.

If that is exercise, then I'm trying.

Q

[pennst8r]

I am doing 2 miles on the treadmill 5 days/week (much more disciplined since the diabetes Dx). I have one of those turbo-fans for "dead of summer" heat next to the treadmill and always keep water close by too. Not much weight loss to speak of yet, but I feel better!

Penn

[essdipity]

One thing you might try as you slowly get back into an exercise routine is setting up an electric fan in front of you. That might keep you cool enough so there are no negative consequences.

ess

[sllowe]

I EXERCISE....in my mind all of the time...LOL!

I use to, but haven't in a long while.

Dagnappit, I"m sorry to hear about the 25lb return.  But, you did it so you can do it again.  I see no harm in getting back on the wagon.  Please go slowly.  5 minutes at a time w/out resistance.  Get your legs use to moving around like that again. Increase a minute at a time or something.  

You are smart to think about it though, because if you go right back to where you were before the fatigue set in, you will set yourself up to feel badly and it might discourage you too much to get back on.

YOu don't even have to start out w/the bike.  Just start out stretching on the floor and slowly start your next steps to the bike.  Just as a warning though, I stretch on the floor or the couch and I've not gotten to the bike or anything. I'm still "thinking" about exercising all the time though..lol

ttys,
Shell

[Sandpuff]

I, too, struggle with fatigue.  Have you talked to your doctor about any medicine that could help?  I have gone for 2 years just putting up with it, but the last 2 months got bad enough that the doctor prescribed Provigil which helps me a lot, just started it so we'll see how it goes.  I had to cut the pill in 1/3 because more than that made me jittery, but other than that no side effects.

[wonko]

Hi,

Here's a link to a fairly recent post about this with some great responses:

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/659435

This comes up a lot, and lots of us, with and without dx's, contribute different ideas.   Up and on the right there is a "search this community" feature and I'm sure you could pull lots more up.

Good luck!

[JulesL5S1]

The key as you mentioned is to keep cool and not get over-heated.  That will be different for each person.  

I like to walk on the treadmill but that has been problematic in the last six months.  

The option remaining for me is to walk in the pool.  I just have to make it to the gym :-)
My gym has a walking lane in the lap pool.  At my mom's, her county recreation center complex has a therapy pool but I have to be very careful in that pool because it is warmer and it aggravates my symptoms.  So I quickly moved into the deep end.

So it's a lot of trial and error to see what works for you.  If your gym has free standing fans you can try moving one to blow directly on you which can help keep you cool.

We all agree that exercise is critical.  It's easy to make excuses not to, we just have to look extra hard for things that we can do!  Cheers