I need to loose a lot of weight but I have chronic arthritis of the spine and am unable to do any walking or physical exercise. Any ideas?

[pande]

I FIND IT VERY PAINFUL TO WALK OR BEND. I HAVE PAINKILLERS FROM THE DOCTOR BUT THEY DO NOT HELP ME. WOULD BE GRATEFUL FOR ANY ADVICE.

[Jsports]

At first I wonder how you function, eat, cook without being able to walk? It's a shame you can't walk because that would be a great starting block for someone in your position...I know when I done my back in for the last 2nths I was prescribed exercise...yeah go figure. Doing nothing however will lead to muscle degeneration as your body will adapt to you not being on your feet. If your not fighting gravity then why do oh you need stabilising muscles? So my first bit of advice would be to try to be on your feet even standing still or on 1 leg just to encourage muscle use. You could build up a minute here a minute there and see if over the day you can make up 30minutes of very light exercise. Sure it's small at first but studies are on going at the moment as to wether you can add up different times of exercise to equate to the same amount of calories burning and cv functions.

You will be pleased to note this does not mean running jumping sports gym exercise...you standing up to turn a TV on, walking up the stairs one more time each day than normal, washing dishes ironing cooking instead of using the oven all these add up something called neat. Basically non exercise calories burning tasks.

Think about time of day when it hurts more or less try and do more when it doesn't hurt but don't over do it. Cut out any bending tasks and no matter what you do, try to engage your core abs this may hurt your back abit but see if hit does or not. You can stand up and just squeeze your abs. The more weight your core is stabilising the less strain on your back.

Bottom line...try to be as active as you can and if you can do 5 minutes today try to total 6 minutes tomorrow and build up like this...bed rest does not work and leads to problems not solutions. Good luck.

[pande in reply to Jsports]

Thanks for the tips. I will certainly give them a try.

[Hidden in reply to Jsports]

I was sorry to read pande that you have so much pain, about a year ago I had a riding accident and my left leg ended up being crushed under a large thorough bred horse. I have suffered constant pain since and still have recovering nerve damage, my ankle joint I'm convince will never be the same, I agree with JSport I did pester the people looking after my health and I did get some, at first all the movement was seated, two weekends ago I did a 5km walk it took about and hour and 20 mins, and did me in but I did it. I hope now to be able to begin to loose the 2 stone I have put on much of my activity is strength building but I try to keep up the walking. I have just lost the routines that I had and I now eat for comfort so I'm struggling with that too. I just hope that this helps you to seek out help, is there a pool in your area? I have been offered a reduced price pass on health referral for my swimming pool. You have to keep on at these people I'm afraid. Good luck

[GoogleMe]

Pester your health professionals for some all round support with a health improvement programme looking at your eating and your activity levels. There is a lot that can be done.

My local pool has some really gentle and informal rehabilitation sessions (not like a class) Yours may have something similar to start you off. Water is going to be your friend.

You could also look on YouTube for yoga and tai chi in a chair videos. Even wrist and ankle strength and flexibility exercises will help - and of course can be done anywhere, any time.

If your pain levels are compromising your mobility, then back to the doctor to look at your pain management programme. It may be worth considering using a TENS machine - the initial 'distraction' effect may not do much but after 20-40 minutes it stimulates your own endorphin production and can really help.

[denvajade]

hello there I am sorry to read how you are at the moment, everything that has been said is excellent advise, can I just add, my son lost several stone and he said that its 70% food and 30% exercise so at least start with your eating habits, track your calories and I wish you well.

[mitzymoo]

Hi angel

I'm in a similar position as you, and will gladly be your lifestyle buddy, i used to do tai chi and our teacher let me sit down to do it, we even had fun working out the new moves for people sat down.

You can find lessons of it on you tube and for now just copy the arm movements sat on a chair.

Take care and angel blessings xx

[key1958]

i have arthritis i had cancer and i visit a center .They gave us a sitting exercise with resitatance bands.try this ,only do a few a day .you can sit on chair or wheel chair. may do more.strenghten arm s. leg and help you to be a little mobile as days go by you hopefully I find this very good and unexpensive.I go swimming with son great exercise no body weight .good luck in future let me know if helpfull

[Joinfrance]

My problems aren't in the same league, but I've just had a new knee after years of pain and weight gain. My best friend right now, and for the past year, has been my exercise bike. It keeps me moving. I don't have it set very high for effort, but it kept me mobile and helped to get my muscles into some sort of shape before the op. it has definitely helped with my recovery. There is a lot les pain because there is no pressure on the joints. It might be worth a try, I bought mine second hand online for next to nothing.

[hatingmypain]

As someone who also has arthritis in my spine and finds it very difficult to walk any amount of distance, I have been using a cross trainer and exercise bike, both are very good as they make the muscles work but there's no pressure on joints.. I did try and swim but it didn't help me. I would also try yoga or pilates, I found yoga a good all round stretch and the teacher adapted some movements that were too hard. I haven't tried pilates myself, but my sister who has back problems that aren't as serious does that and she says it's really helped. What ever you can do, I wouldn't just stop as it will make your back issues worse as muscles will stiffen very quickly. Sending squishy hugs and best wishes for a healthier future.