If your like me, your almost always too exhausted or in too much pain to exercise let alone leave the house to go to a class of some sort.
However, recently I have scolded myself for not being more proactive with my health. I may not have the energy (or money) to go to a class but I have found some great YouTube workouts that are helping.
I started Pilates workouts and I am really enjoying it!! It’s pretty low impact and I’m sticking to whatever beginner videos I can find but there are also videos for RA and Pilates. So much better than trying to commit to a class, I can do it when I can in the privacy of my home!
What exercise does everyone else do??
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Rheumagal
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Good on you! I don’t know what we did before YouTube came along If you can afford a couple of light weight dumbbells, there are some good instruction on strength training with free weights available.
I lift weights, treadmill and play golf. Plus I do some high impact stuff because my bone density is stuffed. I’m not sure my medical folk are terribly impressed lol, cheers Deb
You obviously know what you are doing with weights. But others should be so, so careful as easy to do more harm than good with RA joints. Maybe stick to 1kg dumbell until sure.
I do gentle gym and pilates - both with classes - and regular walks. Also have resistance bands at home which I use mostly for a stretching routine in the morning.
Great if you know what you are doing with free weights, but the NRAS webinar last month advised against using free weights, unless you had previously used and were confident in using them and your RD is well controlled.
Walking, swimming, gym work under supervision , with gym machines and of course plates, tai chi , are all great, as is resistance work, bearing in mind you can use your own body as 'resistance'.
That's brilliant. What a good idea! You will probably find you start to feel so much better.
I go to aquafit twice a week which is only £4 a session. I do stretching 🙆♀️ every morning for about 20 mins. I walk a fair amount. I did used to do yoga but I’ve got a problem with my shoulder so I can’t atm. Will look into the you tube clips. I used to do Pilates but that was before RD now I find it bad for my back.
Is Aqua fit good Caza? They do this in heated pool at local hospital. They also do ‘tired of being tired’ course which samples lots: tai chi, yoga, aqua fit, hand massage, mindfulness etc for 7 weeks. I missed latest one (timing coincided with rush hour traffic) but wish i’d put in for it now, lazy devil 😊
I would of definitely put myself forward for all of them. Aquas great, we use weights but we get to pick the size/weight that we want. It’s easier on the joints, no one can see if your doing it ‘properly’ as only your head & shoulders are above water. & the music 🎶 is really loud either the golden oldies or dance music. So I sing along & pretend that there’s nothing wrong with my poorly body 😊
THAT WAS SCARY WOBBLE BOARD WIFE STILL ON FLOOR BUT IF IT WORKS FOR SOME GREAT TRYING TO GET AS MUCH INFO AS POSS lots of ideas knowledge here enjoying pass back ask ? answer ?peeps have ideas that kicked about you add a bit and use it if it works great
I do stretching, walking, use light weights, resistance bands, step board, wobble. board, and I have a punch ball. I use to look at the yoga videos too, and really need to get back to it. Now this all depends on how I am feeling as I really find it hard to get motivated, especially when in pain - and not all in one day, I switch it up.
iAGREE WITH ALL but i dont need wobble board i like like charlie Chaplin or those orangutans legs are bending
That’s really useful info, will check out YouTube. I swim about half of what I used to before but still find pacing a problem (can’t with flare obvs). Used to country walk miles with dog & family; reduced too now. It makes you feel so precious about yourself which I hate: if I wasn’t me I’d think oh get over yourself you moaner 😊
Cycling always for me and on a daily basis. I have not let my RA interfere too much with my competitive instincts. S far this year I've ridden over 40 events. My wrists can ache after very long rides, over 50 miles for example, or after poorly surfaced roads. Otherwise I ust grin and bear it!
rheumagel yep gal my argument all along when IT happens you can only focus on your own situation you wont gain anything if bodies wracked up in pain just going to throw this in i have been dieting /fasting i call it Ramadan diet but its working and well if you have limited mobility this is the baby BUT you must know your limits BUT BOY DO I FEEL BETTER ,maybe not for everyone but as can confirm bp lot better waterworks improved 100% no dribs floods all win at moment
I never want to go but do and feel so virtuos afterwards ! x I have a nordic trainer and weights at home and also use them twice a week. Its a regime designed by the Pulmanory Rehab team so it benefits both my lungs and RA. However being honest I do usually feel I deserve a Marsbar afterwards (other bars are available) and it is working to improve both lungs and joints.xxx
The sad thing for me is that going for a walk used to mean freedom, fresh air and fun, but it now means 'some beneficial exercise'. Its one year since we last stuffed our backpacks and headed for the hills. We live 1-2 hrs motorway driving away from hills and currently its flat walking only. My OH never did like flat walking, but we are about to head out for an hour. Proactive yes, but I'm feeling very sad today. Hopefully his meds might work and he can come off *****Mtx so he doesn't feel so exhausted. To exercise is the way forward, whatever that entails, I know. Maybe it will lead to enjoyment further along the way. I hope so.
My wonderful OH searched out flat(ish) walks in hills for me....so get the hilly landscape without too many of the contours. Get those maps out and peer at them. Horrible to be denied hills!
In April he was hobbling painfully slowly around the tiny local Park with his walking stick and now he can walk quite briskly along a towpath without a stick, so he is definitely getting there. I do have the maps and lowish hills all organised in readiness. We try and walk mindfully to notice everything around us, but I crave the togetherness of stomping up hills (in all weathers) on our days off. Patience and perseverance required....
Wow, your Mum's amazing! Wish the rest of you high-achievers put your ages for comparison. I'm in my 72nd year & just got back together again after long RA probs, plus bad sciatica which I push through with the help of prescription codeine (considered for me a lesser evil than surgery), and a seated walker at my worst. For the 1st time in nearly 3yrs, I walked 3 miles recently in Norfolk. I was so thrilled! But podiatrist displeased as my feet really delicate, I get ulcers very easily. But I walk about briskly every day, as much as poss, have wee rests for a coffee or a read. Do v helpful gentle floor exercises x3 daily, any twists forbidden by physio; my weights are water-filled pasta bottles! I am evading swimming cos I hate the faff, on the excuse that I must avoid risk of infection.
Aah yes! Our son lives in Edinburgh and we would normally go and visit and head for the local hills or they would meet us further North. I think it must be really hard when you can see the hills but can't Whizz up them. (We live in the flatlands of Cheshire (tulips always do well) so learner drivers have to find a bridge to do a hill start!)
My window s look into the Pentland hills. I walked them every Friday, a 2 and a half hour round trip in all weathers. It is like temptation in front if you , but I can hardly walk the length of myself some days.
Mmrr, I probably passed your window the other day! Was at Swanston with a few of the pups. I so tried the climb but sat down more than ascended! It's cruel !
Glad you got out for a wee while anyway Shalf. I can see people walking along the skyline everyday all hours ... and the highlands coos roaming around. It is indeed cruel.
But I 've been yo the spa and despite the break through of brain fog and the exhaustion and the very sore feet and aching hands, the rest of my joints are still substantially better on the low dose MTX. I hope I can hang onto the end of November until I see the consultant.
I saw the photo you posted of the view from your window. Lovely!! Sometimes gritty determination just can't win against fatigue, stiffness and pain so I hope your Rheum visit is really helpful and you find some ease.
For me its cleaning out my little horses twice a day and feeding them and giving them a brush
sometimes have to push through it but the mind can not think of two things at the same time,it can not contrate on pain when doing something else to take your mind off it
I do yoga but Yin Yoga so very slow & mindful. However post diagnosis I don’t hold certain asanas as long as before. I did my monthly 2 hr class for the first time in months (my teacher takes the summer off) yesterday and came home at 1pm and was zonked out till 6!
I have an online PT and use resistance bands and stationary bike. Would love to do yoga, but knee so painful, anything on the floor is impossible. I'd need a paramedic to get me back up again!
Swimming. It eases n soothes joint pain because it's a zero gravity environment. Flexibility improves. All very low impact. Also great for respiration and cardio.
Brilliant, you already made the first step and got yourself going. When I was newly diagnosed I had to restrict myself to Quigong (Chigong) two three times a day for just five minutes a the most. It doesn't sound much, but it helped keep some flexibility. Have a look at Quigong and Tai Chi videos, there are many out there. There is proof that they have great benefits for mind and body. Keep going and keep in touch. All the best.
I got resistance bands from the physio with an excercise sheet and my wrists, hands and shoulders are now painful. I did buy a Tai Chi DVD but it probably won't do me much good if I don't take it out of the box! There aren't a heck of a lot of leisure or sports facilities here and I'm struggling to find something to suit. Ho hum
It would be more useful if the physio could explore with you what you could do, but they seem to look at areas of the body, not the whole person. I can never understand why as every bit is connected, but there we have it.
Excersize is really very anti inflammatory. Had recently a consultation with a sports doctor who explained how to best get the antiinflammatory effect. You should do excersize three times a week which should include aerobic training 15 min ( bike as an example) strength training and stretching. I did this for three weeks and my hemoglobin was raised from 10,5 to 12,5. And inflammation markers went down. Excersize really makes a difference!
Hi Rheumagal. I exercise 3-4 times a week. Spinning and body pump. The pain i was in when i was first diagnosed, nearly 4 years ago, is my motivation. I never want to feel pain like that again! Start with gentle exercise and increase gradually🚴♀️🏋️♀️
Hi. Exercise is really good for us RA sufferers. I do Metafit, Total Tone, Body Pump (using light weights, repetition builds strength not the heavy weights), GRIT, swim, walk and lots of gardening. I’m fitter now than I’ve ever been. Thankfully my medication is keeping my symptoms in check so I’m able to enjoy life!! Keep up the exercise and your well being will be great!
Hi Veronica. I’m on Methotrexate, and I take daily Folic Acid and Hydroxychloroquine. Seems to work for me. I have been on this medication since June 2018. Hope this helps. Xx
I was saying to hubby yesterday, if we ever win the lottery we must have a place with a indoor heated swimming pool, if we ever do, your all invited to stay x , :O)
I had started to do aquafit and some gym exercise using the cycle, treadmill and similar 'machines' about six weeks ago. To date I have not felt any benefit and find my knees are really painful after the aquafit.
I so want to try and help my fitness but am at a loss of what else to try. I have seen the physio at the hospital but they were no help. I work full time in an admin role and any classes that might be suitable seem to be held during the day Monday to Friday so am not able to attend any of these. There does not seem to be any help from the 'professionals' in my area to point me in the right direction. I'll keep looking and hopefully I will find something that suits me as, apart from work, I'm starting to turn into a recluse as I feel so unsteady walking so am not going out much.
Hi there, that's sad to hear you got no relief from your first foray into exercise - maybe you tried too much too soon? I know it's very difficult to cut back on what to expect of your body but sometimes we just have to limit the time we spend doing any one activity. Maybe doing just one specific exercise for timed sessions would be more beneficial, and having timed rest sessions during this too. With regard to the aquafit maybe just gently moving your body in the heated pool would give you as much benefit as anything, or if your gym has a Jacuzzi area just go and relax in there. The other option is to do very gentle workouts at home, following a dvd or you tube then find an evening class of some other activity to get you out of the house - or join a choir, that has massive health benefits. H x
Thanks for your sugestions . I think I am just feeling a bit down, I'm usually a positive person but things just get on top of me sometimes. I'll try to find out if there are any better swimming pools in my area with more suitable facilities.
i, myself just turned 60 and my aic was 7.6, so i quit sugar and most carbs for 8 weeks,as of today, i have lost 25 lbs and every morning i am able to get in my hottub and do 30 minutes of stretching ,crunches,scissors and cycles, and this is the best i have felt in a long time,also started the state cannabis for pain and got off 60mg a day morphine,also 5mg prednisone, hope to lose another 20 and i should be good, My blood test is coming in 3 weeks ,praying for good numbers, i know they will be.
Hi, I just read all the replies to your post and felt shamed that I was not looking forward to making the effort to go to my yoga class tonight after two weeks off from an infected tooth extraction! Now I feel more motivated! I miss walking for pleasure more than anything (bad feet) and make do with a bit of gardening when I can, weather permitting, and chasing after my one year old grandson - a real work out, that! Tonight I will make the effort to attend the class, even if I have to sit out most of the moves! - no excuse now my mouth is better! Thanks Rheumagal
well I woke up 6 am this morning struggled to move arms fingers, hands, jaw, feet and toes all so painful
I couldn't stand being in bed feeling all the pain, so struggled to get up
after half hour mangoing my body out, I grabbed the lead and told me dog not to pull me, hobbled up the road with two leads on her.
brought her back, hobbled out to horses little ones, let them out, then started to clean their stable, all the time felt the pain but carried on and then slowly even though everything was still the same mentally started to feel better to cope with it.
spoke to neighbour as she was sorting out her horses big ones, she is very young in early 20s and her back is crumberling, so felt sorry for her having her whole life in front of her, felt less sorry for myself.
came in washed up, now sitting after my reward 2 drops of CBD oil, relief and a cup of tea, off to have a hot bath in min.
Oh, something else I found is videos on dynamic stretching! It feels really great especially when I wake up stiff as can be and barely able to move. Thanks for all of your wonderful replies. It has been so lovely reading them all!!! You guys are all inspirational!
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If you can afford a couple of light weight dumbbells, there are some good instruction on strength training with free weights available. 
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