Exercise...

[Guest guest]

Iris, Tess, Heidi and All,

Thanks so much for your words and encouragement. I should look into the

water exercise thing. We don't have a pool at our local YMCA but I know

some other group in the area does as I recall a picture in our paper and a

caption about it back around the time I was first diagnosed. My rheumy

said I should look into it. I told him the picture showed a bunch of white

haired, little old ladies. His response was, " Well then you should be VERY

popular! " lol!

I read about all you are going through on the list and I feel for you and

try to remember to include you " guys " in my prayers. I just don't have the

time, energy and ability to keep up with it all and respond to all your

posts every day. Sorry. My hands have always been the worst through all

this and it is very painful to write and type for more than a few seconds

at a time. So when I do it, I do it in spurts!

Be blessed!

Kossart - RA, Type-2 Diabetes

Peru, IL, USA

[Guest guest]

Karon:

My neurologist advised me to exercise but cautioned me against

exercise that leads to an intense burining feeling in the muscles - too much

for weakened CMT muscles. I walk, occasionally swim, and regularly use a

PreCor eliptical macxhine at my gym (this is like running in place but there

is no impact and one's feet can't drop as you have pedals under them at all

times). On the eliptical machine there are different settings for working

different muscle groups. If I feel too much burning, I change the setting a

bit.

You may also be doing too much too quickly. But I do think

it's importatnt to do what you can, without pain, as I believe it will help

us to maintain the muscles and energies that we do have. If an hour is too

much, try doing thirty minutes, if thirty is too much, try twenty. I do

know that doctors are recommending a " half hour " of " moderate " exercise five

days a week, if possible. The doctros that have been saying this also say

that things like just walking, count, and also that the thirty minutes does

not have to occur all at once - three ten minute walks would work as well.

I joined a gym and began exercising regularly last October.

I feel like it has helped my balance, my endurance, my sleep and my general

mood. I feel much stronger than I did and plan on maintaining my current

regime. I know that I can do much more now, after five months of exercising,

than I could the first week or first few months.

Good luck. Peace, Marti