exercise when? how much?

[Guest guest]

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