exercise when? how much?

[Guest guest]

Pat -

Before the PA I used to race bicycles, and run and swam for the occasional

triathalon. 700 - 1000 miles per week on the bike was normal for me. I was

quite thoroughly addicted to the endorphins and had been for years.

The PA had slowed me down to the point that I was having a lot of trouble

walking, much less maintaining the prior activity level that I had enjoyed.

One of my Docs started me walking daily, first thing in the morning. At first

it was pretty painful, and I didn't really walk very far (maybe around the

block in a half hour). I have kept with it, becoming quite fond of the

routine. My wife and I now enjoy a daily 1/2 hour walk through the

neighborhood before we do anything else. I am largely pain free (lots of meds

help this) and quite ambulatory. I also get a couple miles in every day

running around at work, but the morning walks are definitely the program that

works for me.

I have also had to stop lifting heavy objects, and I need a lot more sleep

than I used to. I also do my best to stay warm.

My advice is to pick whatever kind of low impact excersize that you feel you

can learn to enjoy, and fits your daily schedule. Then get religous about it!

Don't allow anybody or anything to stand between you and the daily routine.

I'm quite sure that I'd be wheelchair bound by now without the daily walk.

happy trails - Rob Glover

In a message dated 11/3/99, 5:29:44 AM, onelist writes:

<< I miss the physical labor involved in my daily life and that I have to

take things easy to be able to keep moving everyday.

When do you get enough exercise? How do you decide how much and when to

exercise? The joints scream from the exercise but we all need to exercise,

right?

Before the PA started it was nothing for me to help move furniture around in

the house. To lift the generator onto the back of the pickup truck so we

could travel w/ our trailer to dog shows. To help people move a washer or

dryer. At work there are 50 pound bags that I occassionally helped out with

to tote and empty.

Now, I have to tell them NO, NO and forget it, sorry.

I have an exercise bike that a year ago I had trouble just sitting on but now

can do a couple miles but the miles mean inflammation and tightness in the

joints.

Do simple stretching exercises really do any good? Cardiovascular exercises?

What types? Depending on the pain which is dependent on how I take the pain

medications my blood pressure can be anywhere from 120/80 up to 180/112. The

high end is pain and feeling ill with a virus or something.

I do walk in order to get thru my workday but that just isn't enough. I'm

wider than a few years ago because the muscle is turning into fat. I weigh

the same but can't fit into the same jeans

There has got to be some exercises that help without hurting/stressing the

joints.

Any ideas, hints, tips?

I would love to be able to participate in water exercises but the closest is

over an hour away

I'm going today (cross your fingers) to get the Enbrel that was finally

approved by the insurance after 2 months of waiting for their approval. If

the film makers would make a movie of insurance companies burning to the

ground it would probably make more money than the movie Titanic

I have heard that some people experenced weight gain from the Enbrel causing

a craving for carbohydrates. What a depressing thought. Take care,Pat B

>>