I can't do very strenuous exercises, but I have been able to do yoga. Not only does it help with strength and flexibility, it can be very relaxing!

I try to do stuff that makes me feel mentally and physically good. For me, it's a good walk or hike, and riding my bike.

I used to go to the gym 5 days a week doing cardio and weights, but I got really sick a few years back with my UC and with some blood clotting issues, and once recovered, I tried to go back to the gym, and seriously, something changed in me. I just HATED it. I don't know what exactly the issue was, but I would look at the other members there and want to punch them in the face, and I thought, I'm freakin' walking on this treadmill like a maniac GOING NO WHERE. Get me out of here. I needed to find things to do that got me outside, in nature, and away from crowds of sweaty jack asses.

lol! Fanatics drive me crazy when they exercise lol! There is more to staying fit.then exercise ourselves to death... I just want to have energy to do the things I need to do!!! Losing some weight wouldn't hurt either.
I am a gardener who works her butt off out doors - I do a lot of yard work and enjoy landscaping - it's beautiful when you're done but the process getting it there takes lots of strength. I enjoy seeing some results after I work-out - don't think I could appreciate doing a gym work-out and know I still have to do so much real work! I love swimming it's relaxing - I used to walk but some days I'm just plain worn out. I can fall into the pool and climb out easy enough and feel refreshed. I like biking and hiking and fishing and don't like sitting around. I find jump roping helps too gets my blood racing and it's quick & your done with it! Dancing is great too! Are these exercise??? They don't feel like it... probably why I enjoy them!

You're so right that there's more to being fit than exercising ourselves to death.

I've made a serious effort over the last several years to not drive every where. So, I walk or ride my bike to the store a lot, and I commute to work via bus so I get exercise walking those 5 blocks to and from the bus stop. My GI doc and my dentist are all located near my office, so I can walk to those appointments within 20 minutes. I also try to take the stairs at work as much as I can vs the elevator.

Also, my husband and I like sports, so we play Badminton in he yard, tennis, golf, basketball, frisbee, toss a football etc. It's not like heavy duty activity but it's something. If an activity isn't fun or enjoyable, I'm not doing it.

I think little adjustments in your day to day life, vs thinking about working out like a nut, are so much easier to maintain.

I kept working out like crazy, but it wasn't even maintaining what I already had. I'd hit a bad episode and just didn't keep the weight on, so the muscle went bye-bye. Beyond that, I was really hurting myself. After a hard workout - especially a run - I would be so worn out, I'd find myself falling asleep as soon as I walked through the door and flopped onto the bed/couch. Also killed my joints. Sometimes I'd be dead tired, but couldn't sleep because my legs were aching so bad. So I started doing slow hikes, playing mild sports and bowing out when I knew I'd crossed the line between exercise and detriment. I agree with these guys (minus the yoga... I don't bend that way).

Hot yoga/pilates fusion...kicks my butt!

I've been big into lifting since I was in high school, it is definitely a hobby. Having UC and trying to manage that as well as staying healthy and stickin to a workout routine has gotten very tough. Coming off a flare up I usually just go by how I feel and don't try to go too hard right off the bat. This has seemed to help. It helps get my body and mind prepped for when I can hit it hard and am feeling better. As for cardio during a flare up... forget it. Doesn't work for me.

For me, I try to stay active all the time but that doesn't really happen if i'm feeling to sick. I will normally go for a late evening run after I eat supper. That is normally when I feel best. I do get extremely nervous though when running cause when i'm outside there are no bathrooms around. Haha.

I also lift weights probably every other day. I don't push myself to really lose weight but I just try to stay toned. I mainly just like working out because it makes me feel better..physically, mentally and emotionally. For some reason, I feel that my working out also helps me to stay in remission. But that could also just be my attitude. For me attitude can be everything. If I look down upon everything then my symptoms seem to act up but if I have a good outlook on how things will be then everything turns out better :)