We talk about diets here a lot but not as much about the body itself. I have heard that keeping active can reduce the frequency and severity of fatigue and joint pain.Seems to be very true. I have the CoachMe app that reminds me at set times to do certain things and that helps. I try to get on the elliptical a few times a week and I do yoga once a week also. I have to say that I notice the difference in my mood also, when I keep moving. It can be tough to keep up on it when you aren't feeling well so I'm wondering what everyone else does to keep going when the flair ups do hit.
For me it is getting into the pool and exercising with the benefit of water compression and resistance coupled with it relieving pressure on weight bearing joints. I have a hydrotherapy routine tailored for me by a physio. It is a basic 30 minute session of gentle exercises and stretching using a variety of flotation equipment and foot fins ..... all easily and cheaply available so I also have my own set so I can take advantage of any extra pool opportunities. It has also been great for maintaining and improving my range of movement too.
When I feel rough, like I have this week, is when I know I need to go the most. I've been this afternoon and feel much better, both my mood and physically. What I love is that when I feel good I can do a bit extra or work a bit harder but when I'm not so good then it's possible to scale back or adapt a particular exercise around a problem but still get the benefit.
Funny thing is yesterday I did two workouts one in morning and one in evening, today I feel very good, and last night I slept hard , wow. even had a compliment from a friend that said I looked better today. I agree being active vs sedentary is huge, weird, how the body works. Also started taking tumeric/cur-cumin c3 and I believe it helps.
This is a really helpful discussion for me, newly diagnosed with SS this past May. Prior to my fatigue, I either swam or did an eliptical machine everyday. Now I feel so weak that even though I long to exercise, I can't make my body leave the bed. Any suggestions or tricks about how to motivate myself? I really WANT to exercise but somehow, I believe I am so fatigued, I can't even start! Thanks.
I've been looking into different exercise to try myself (more through neck problems I have rather than SS), and have found some pilates 'workouts' on youtube. Haven't tried it myself yet, but have watched one - pilates for beginners/ seniors, which is only 10 mins long, and is done lying down. Maybe you could try some of the exercises while laying in bed, Fern? That might help you get going.
Thanks, Jules, that's a really helpful suggestion!
Jules said:
I've been looking into different exercise to try myself (more through neck problems I have rather than SS), and have found some pilates 'workouts' on youtube. Haven't tried it myself yet, but have watched one - pilates for beginners/ seniors, which is only 10 mins long, and is done lying down. Maybe you could try some of the exercises while laying in bed, Fern? That might help you get going.
I totally agree. Keep and stay as active as you can. I find I feel worse on days that I don’t don’t do anything. I’m really trying yo get into yoga for the benefits of the body, mind and spirit. It is hard right now but will hopefully get easier.
I totally agree, working out, really help. After I was diagnostic with RA I was so depressed I stopped working out and that's when I had flare ups, one after another, which made me more depressed and wanted to die, practically. I locked myself at home and stayed in bed any chance I had. i felt so tired and in pain all the times. Then I started aqua exercises in a therapeutic pool, the water was so warm (92 C), that I was able to follow the instructions and felt so good right after the first class. I decided to continue once a week. After 2 weeks only, I was feeling good enough to resume working out again and going for walk and going out dancing again. What a relief for me being able to function again and not being in constant pain and depressed. I can say working out in the therapeutic pool save my sanity, I was really ready to retire from the living world
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Awesome!!! Where or how did you find the warm aquatic pool? Just trying to figure out how & where to start the look to find one. Thanks so much sharing your inspirational story and help that could apply to the rest of us that can get out there and do it.
Dany Cruze, it's great to see I'm not the only one who has benefitted from hydrotherapy exercises.
Angela - for me I found that my local physiotherapists hire a small private pool on a Friday, get the temperature turned up, and run both aquafit and hydrotherapy sessions. Whilst I think aquafit is good and probably adaptable if you have any limitations hydro is a maximum of four patients to one physio and is a range of exercises designed specifically for me. As a result I have regained a good 90% of movement in my right shoulder which was almost at 0% when I started. I can't recommend it highly enough. You may be lucky enough to find a physio practice with their own pool.
I don't know where you live but we do have a few community center in Ontario that has those therapeutic pool, they used it for swim lessons for toddlers and aquatic class for those with pain (diabetic, people with RA or recovering from hip, shoulder surgery..). I take a class called "my aching body" and it is specifically geared to people with movement limitation. You could search on the internet to find out if your community center offer those classes.. Good luck to you and keep moving...
Angela said:
Awesome!!! Where or how did you find the warm aquatic pool? Just trying to figure out how & where to start the look to find one. Thanks so much sharing your inspirational story and help that could apply to the rest of us that can get out there and do it.
AH…water. How could I forget that! Thanks for the reminder…its so great! And water in any form (even just the pool filter running) has such a calming effect on me.
I started yoga a couple months ago too. I got lucky enough to get someone that does sessions in home as well as at other studios. She works with me and one other person which really keeps the price about the same as it would be if I went there. There has been many times that I wouldn't have gone to a studio or done much of anything but once she got here and we did the workout, I felt immensely better.
I love this group! Everyone has such good, creative ideas. And hearing it from others inspires me to get up and do something even on the days I don't want to.
Here is a great online yoga resource. Something for everyone whatever your abilities.
I need to do seated yoga (I think it's one they have for seniors) and although the tutor could do with slowing it down and modulating her voice a bit it is still great, especially broken down in to bite size sessions.
Thanks so much for the DoYogaWithMe link
I did a meditation and a beginners neck stretch. Luv that they are FREE
Sue
Exactly, and you can do them at home when it's a good time for you. I did a seniors one- about my level now! My dog thinks it's a great idea too and tried to join me on the mat!
I try to go to the pool a few days a week but recently had surgery for melanoma so I have to wait until the incision heals a little more before going back. I know I can feel the difference not having gone for a couple of weeks.
I pay ahead for one on one Pilates on a machine. I am so out of shape I don’t want to show up anywhere. I go this morning. If I hadn’t paid already, I’d probably go back to bed
Therms a DVDs called ageless yoga. It’s geared for seniors. To be done standing or sitting. It’s yoga-ish. Not traditional yoga, but extremely doable. Also Peggy cappy has a DVDs called yoga for the rest of us. Again…very doable…real yoga
Great suggestions. It kills me if I have to stop because of a flair. I feel like I lose all of the ground I gained..with things like that at least we can keep moving.
Just wondering if anyone has tried the seated yoga and if there is one that is ok to do at work. I have a private office. LOL Some simple strectchs would be a big help.