Struggling to get fit

[bernese1225]

Finally found medication that works on my RD. I didn’t realise how much it’s taken out of my body over the years though. I keep thinking I can do more than my body is capable of 😞 I walked further than I should have (again) and now got a swollen and very painful tendon in my ankle along with sciatic pain in my back and left leg. Oh to be totally pain free! It’s really difficult remembering to take things slowly after struggling for so long. I just want to get this weight off now that I’m reducing steroids but it’s a catch 22 situation... If I do too much I’ll put strain on my legs/ankle with my weight and if I rest my ankle I’ll gain more weight. I need help with how to go forward I think.

[Hidden]

Great to hear you have found meds that work, but not great that you are in pain from overdoing it. There could do to be a course for people to train as NHS Physical Health Community Mentors. If you have a Heart Attack you can go on a rehab course for a small group of people where you are given general relevant information, encouragement, dietary advice, your exercise tolerance is monitored etc. You can then go on to a step down group where this continues. As far as I know it doesn't exist for other health problems so its all rather hit and miss. Are sitting exercises any good for you? Someone posted a link for HASfit chair exercises at some point.

[bernese1225 in reply to Hidden]

That would be a brilliant idea and would help so many people. Thank you, I’ll try and find the chair exercise post.

[Hidden in reply to bernese1225]

If you google HASfit chair exercises the video comes up. Might be worth a look, but in an ideal world someone would advise whether or not it would be suitable for you.

[bernese1225 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you

[Hidden]

NB. Recover first!

[oldtimer]

In many areas you can go on an 'exercise referral scheme'. You are referred by your practice nurse or GP and have an assessment from someone at a leisure centre and a programme drawn up. You have subsidised courses of activities, often followed by a reduced rate to encourage you to continue after, I think, six months of supervised activities.

Quite a large number of the people, who come to the aquafit classes that I attend, have got there via exercise referral.

[bernese1225 in reply to oldtimer]

Thank you, I’ll contact my GP and see if they can help.

[weathervane in reply to oldtimer]

I was referred to an exercise referral scheme a year ago and have heard nothing since , probably just as well as I slipped a disc at Christmas and had op 4 weeks ago !! Im walking as much as i can and i plan to get a static bike . In the middle of all this ive just had a dose of rituximab and im tired all the time . I suppose we just exercise when we feel up to it and find something we can cope with. I hope to start a pilates class soon as I think it will help the back and the rest of the joints 😀

[miss-otis in reply to oldtimer]

I run an Exercise Referral scheme in my local leisure centre in Lincolnshire, very much along the lines mentioned above.I also have RA . In my experience, everyone responds differently to exercise, but there is nearly always something you can do comfortably.