Arthritis Foundation Forum
Home   
Search
Welcome Guest ( Login | Register )
  
Recent Posts
   
Popular Topics

Home » Health and Arthritis Research News » Coping Skills » Working out with RA?

Working out with RA? Expand / Collapse
Rate Topic
Display Mode
Topic Options
Author
Message
Beelz13
Posted Tuesday, October 09, 2007 2:01 PM


 

Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Thursday, July 31, 2008 1:18 PM
Posts: 9, Visits: 0
Can anyone give me advice on working out with RA? I wanna lose weight and I do yoga already. I also have been doing some weight lifting. Will I be able to continue this?
Post #4085527
Top
MeMe
Posted Thursday, October 11, 2007 6:57 AM


 

Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Thursday, July 31, 2008 1:12 PM
Posts: 46, Visits: 0
Working out even if you have RA is great. I walk between 1-1 1/2 miles every day and do light cardio. Many times my hips and knees will ache during and sometimes after a workout but I actually feel good. Makes me feel in control of the RA and not the other way around. My rheumy encourages us to do some form of exercise daily. This helps to strengthen and rejuvenate the joint area. Just be careful not to overdue. Good luck.
Post #4110571
Top
Robin B
Posted Friday, October 26, 2007 12:52 PM


 

Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Wednesday, January 07, 2009 6:27 PM
Posts: 116, Visits: 1
I walk and ride a stationary bike. I would be very careful about the weights. I did those for awhile and did not realize the amount of damage I was doing. My body was over compensating for the damaged joints and I ended up hurting myself with things like tendenitis, pulled muscles. I was just using very light weights while walking.. no more though. Learned my lesson the hard way. My joints are not up to weights.
Post #4110572
Top
Enigma1967
Posted Monday, December 17, 2007 2:42 PM


 

Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Thursday, July 31, 2008 1:18 PM
Posts: 226, Visits: 0
Hi! I have been looking for a discussion group like this for some time...I have had RA for 38 years, since the age of two...

All my life, I have been athletically-inclined (altho, to call myself an athlete would be stretching it..LOL!)..I have trained/showed performance horses, kickboxed, rollerbladed, powerlifted and now swim 1 mile 4-6 days per week and strength-train 3 evenings per week...

I have had an RA flare since January, 2007, with about two months of relief, thanks to Enbrel..however, had to stop Enbrel due to severe allergic reaction..now, I walk with a pronounced limp, go down stairs one at a time - sideways LOL!, and it is becoming increasingly difficult to make a fist...

So, now, existing on Morphine and Vicodin until after knee replacement surgery on 1.18.08...can't pursue any RA treatments until after the surgery due to increased risk of infection from weakened immune system..

the pain is bad and getting worse, to be blunt...however, i refuse to give up...to sit still and not work out drives me nuts..so, i take my painkillers and hit the pool/gym...it hurts LIKE HELL; every time i turn over my stroke in the pool, when i do triceps, my elbows hurt and so on and so forth...one night after i left the gym, i sat in my truck and cried because my hands hurt so badly grasping the dumbbells...but i keep on...

My doctors are amazed that I work out and say they are proud of my spirit (ahem - they do not know all the times, like yesterday, that i cry, praying that it will go into remission again)...my ortho surgeon said that the only reason he is willing to do both knees at once is because he feels confident i will push the rehab...

But, i have to say; it's been very difficult finding people who have RA who are willing to push through the pain...people don't understand me and i don't understand people who lay in bed for days/weeks, or who stop working or who don't take care of themselves and try to fight the disease..

Yes, it's slowed me down (hell, it took me 46:30 to do a mile in the pool on Saturday!), and i have had to alter some strength-training routines and lighten the weights..but, i will always say that if i didn't work out and watch my eating plan, that I would be much worse off than i am...

My rheumy said that people don't realize that if they strengthen the muscles surrounding the joint, it may take pressure off of the joint...

So, Beelz13 and everyone else who works out with the disease, keep on keepin' on!!..

i am hoping someone out there can identify with me and we can help each other and inspire others...

have a great holiday and i hope everyone is pain-free..

Hugs,
Diana
Post #4110573
Top
starshine
Posted Tuesday, December 18, 2007 12:24 PM


 

Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Thursday, November 12, 2009 11:40 PM
Posts: 660, Visits: 603
Diana, you are an inspiration! I've been saying that after Christmas when I'm done shopping, wrapping, decorating, baking and cooking that I will start working out again. Thanks for the kick in the pants that I needed. I hope your surgery goes well and you get on medication that helps you. Happy Holidays, ss
Post #4110574
Top
Enigma1967
Posted Tuesday, December 18, 2007 12:32 PM


 

Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Thursday, July 31, 2008 1:18 PM
Posts: 226, Visits: 0
Hey, luv!...Well, I am glad to be an inspiration to you - that makes me very happy...i am glad to finally talk to someone who understands how damn hard it is to try to keep in shape when one has RA,let alone a flare..this morning, i was a sloth in the pool - it took me 48 minutes to do a mile..boohoo!

Keep me posted, SS - perhaps we can motivate each other and keep the other going..

Have a fab holiday and keep in touch!
Cheers
Diana
Post #4110575
Top
norma0
Posted Wednesday, April 09, 2008 9:11 PM


 

Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Thursday, July 31, 2008 1:18 PM
Posts: 44, Visits: 0
Hey, is everyone still working out? I just started back after wimping out during the winter(about 3 months.) There was not much weight difference but I gained back most of the inches I had lost grrr. I am back on the wagon. I've given up some of the machines in favor of stability ball stuff, I find it is tough on the muscles and easy on the joints.
Post #4110576
Top
Enigma1967
Posted Tuesday, April 22, 2008 2:24 PM


 

Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Thursday, July 31, 2008 1:18 PM
Posts: 226, Visits: 0
Hey, Norma..well, i am still working out after being off for bi-lat knee replacement surgery...i was shocked, absolutely shocked at how my muscles atrophied during surgery...i now have to re-train my mind to lift light, and not heavy..

But, i cannot lose those last stubborn 20 lbs!!!..my lord, work out six days a week, eat low calories and nothing..go down three, go up five..arrrghhh!!!

Good luck with the stability ball...i use one at home for crunches but am not overly familiar with it for other exercises..

Hey, before you know it, we'll all be buff babes..:-).
Post #4110577
Top
norma0
Posted Tuesday, April 22, 2008 8:31 PM


 

Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Thursday, July 31, 2008 1:18 PM
Posts: 44, Visits: 0
Diana, I had been doing pretty good, then I got some killer mouth sores and I feel awful! I am eating liquid/soft foods as this is all I can tolerate....but hey, I lost about 3 pounds this past week! But I woud not recommend sores as a means to loose weight!
Post #4110578
Top
Kristi2
Posted Wednesday, July 23, 2008 4:08 PM


 

Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Thursday, July 31, 2008 1:20 PM
Posts: 21, Visits: 0
I know this was all posted awhile ago, but hope you are all still pushing through. It is great to hear that people are still able to continue working out with RA. I was diagnosed five years ago. I used to run marathons and obviously had to give that up. I've been dealing with a flareups for the past couple months and have continued to try and be active. I've continued to lift weights with my arms and do some walking and biking when my knees are not swollen. Last night I did a pilates video. I can feel it in my stomach, it feels great. I have such a hard time not doing anything, so I was at least able to do parts of the video even with a swollen knee. Keep at it.

Kristi
Post #4110579
Top
KnockoutKatie
Posted Thursday, December 04, 2008 10:05 PM


 

Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Friday, September 11, 2009 9:28 PM
Posts: 72, Visits: 242
I walk 2 miles a day, more on weekends. Other than walking everyhting else hurts. Is there anything that isn't to painful to do? I used to like working out, now I have to worry about my back, hips, knees, elbows, hands etc. It's just too painful.
Post #4173798
Top
Lorraine Hunt
Posted Friday, December 05, 2008 8:48 AM


 

Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Sunday, December 07, 2008 5:17 PM
Posts: 3, Visits: 31
Yeah I've been trying to find some exercises too for the last 6 months that dont hurt.  But not much out there for us. I've gained almost 50 pounds just in the last couple of years, I use to be the biggest tomboy around, not use to this sitting around life and watching everyone else have fun.I feel once you've been active(sports, riding four wheelers,fishing, hunting) just walking 15 miles a week for 6 months just didnt work to take off the weight at least for me, but u read articles all the time how people started walking and dropped 20-40 pounds. I use to like to go swimming at the Y they kept the pool warm and had a hot tub.
Post #4173826
Top
starshine
Posted Sunday, April 12, 2009 1:19 AM


 

Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Thursday, November 12, 2009 11:40 PM
Posts: 660, Visits: 603

Here are some links for exercises to use with the stability ball.  I hope you like them.  SS 

http://www.fitnessballu.com/members/Workouts/Workout_1.html

http://www.fitnessballu.com/members/Workouts/Workout_2.html

http://www.fitnessballu.com/members/Workouts/Workout_4.html

 
Post #4194077
Top
« Prev Topic | Next Topic »


All times are GMT -5:00, Time now is 7:42pm


Execution: 0.608. 86 queries. Compression Disabled.
[  HOME |  MyPROFILE |  MyNEWS |  COMMUNITY |  RA CONNECT |  GROUPS |  FORUMS |  TAGS |  PHOTO GALLERY |  EVENTS |  INVITE |  FIND OTHERS  ]
© 2008 Arthritis Foundation.