Do you guys experience severe muscle stiffness after exercise (even a light exercise)? Does it hinder walking? All of this seems like a big obstacle to exercising.

How do you guys feel about that?

Again, thanks for the info!

I try to lift weights on our BowFlex, but I can't do it often or I get very 'worn-out'. I do enjoy yoga for MS that I've found on Utube. I just started an acqua class for MS. It's offered 3x/week, but I get completely worn out, so I usually only go 1x/week.

I do physio 2 times a week in a group of ms people at a local allied health centre.
Always get an assessment & programme done by a physiotherapist before starting.
It will help you to maintain if you starts as a slow programme & as your strength improves increase by number or weights.
I find it well worth doing it even though I may get tired after it. Also sometimes decrease what I am doing if struggling.

I do pt twice a week trying to hang on to the muscle tone I still have. I do get tired after but it feels real good. I n my journal I track progress it's good to see the progress.

I followed my doctors recommendation and got a recumbent exercise bike. Its good, can stay seated and exercise is done at home. The particular one I have is a Marcy. I allows you to monitor distance traveled, speed, and calories burned and you can set the bike tension.

I try to do a distance travelled of 3 kilometers or roughly 1.8 miles in a given session.

I do tai chi and stationary bike. In summer I spend hours gardening. I have had MS 30+years. Exercise is what has kept me going. I just make sure not to do it till I sweat. Heat from the inside or outside does me in. Winter time I may get on my bike five times a day, just not for very long.

Exercise, thats a great topic!

Ive had MS for upwards around 27 years. I was diagnosed in January 1987 at 26. My approach is to try to exercise 5 days a week, anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes a day. To just remain in that mind set because I struggle with weight too. I feel like if I dont I fear that Ill age even more quickly than MS makes me feel.

I ride a incumbent bike for 10 min (no resistance), do 10 to 15 minutes of core exercises and stretching then a few free weights (3 sets). I had a therapist tell me that if you strengthen your legs and arms, make sure you strengthen your core too. My wise old mom (81 and a retired labor and delivery nurse) who still gardens, drives and moves my wheel chair in and out of my van told me, "Amy, what still works, make sure you keep it strong". So my strong arms have kept me from a few falls down the steps!

When I have places to go, ie doctor appointments, I cut out the exercise that day.

Early on, I paid the price the next day for any exercise. Especially that no resistance bike. So Id do 3 minutes every other day. That was several years ago.

I hope this helped.

Much loves and even more blessings to you my friend!

-A

Every other day I do a 20 to 30 minute yoga exercise routine I found on Youtube (Yoga for dummies) and on the other days try to do a few of the (mostly) leg exercises my physio showed me. Both I do earlier in the day. In the evening, before I go to sleep, I do at least 30 minutes of non-resistance pedaling with those pedals you can put in front of a chair to use. (I can't stay on top of an exercise bike due to balance issues!
What do you do, PharmDFighter?

I have had MS for close to thirty years, now. Had a period of time,.
(four years), when I was bed-ridden following a flare-up.

Can now relate my wellness, to the level of fitness that I have.
The more I exercise the better I feel, and we now have joined the Y,
If one needs to do it on a bike, does not matter.

Helps with sleep and helps with this condition.
So, even though we are tired all the time, we LOVE to work out!

Exercise has ALWAYS been something I avoid. I know I should. I have a PowerStepPlus that I only have to stand on for 10 minutes. I just can't get the discipline to do it regularly.
AND -- YES -- My legs stiffen up badly when I've 'done too much'.

Good luck all. I wish I had your discipline to exercise.

Hi,

I also avoid exercise out of fear of the consequences. I can't walk halfway down the block without stiffening up (made trick-or-treating with my little guy a bummer!). What I should do is go to PT to get my strength up and loosen those muscles before I actually start any kind of exercise regimen. That's what I'd like to do. But even with insurance, I just can't afford it. I do think that would be the best alternative, though.

Please let us know if you find something - anything - that works for you. I, for one, would love to know.

Kristi

I'm a passive aerobic exerciser and use my Chi machine 15 minutes 2X DAILY. It helps me to relax and breath and loosens the stiff weakened muscles in my legs. It makes me feel better to get my blood sugar oxygenated.

Thanks so much for everyone's comments.
Anne; I've been trying to get back to exercising after roughly 7 years but it's been challenging. I started on the treadmill with 25 minutes of walking at moderate speed, followed by the last 5 minutes of fast speed to make me jog/run. However, after that, I was totally spent and at multiple times during the jog/run, I felt that I was about to fall. It is specially challenging AFTER the exercise is finished but It seems to be transient (according to research).
I am truly hoping to get back in shape. Does anyone with MS have a story of being able to get back to good shape and great strength after a period of not exercising?
It seems such a tall order...

I do walks and that's it:(

No I can't do much anymore. Walk from one room to the next. Go out to the barn to feed the cat once a day. I used to use the YMCA daily for about 15 minutes on a treadmill. But, things change.

It kind of irritates me when the doctors try to push us to exercise. When every part of you hurts and you tire out just washing your hands exercise is just not an option. I have no life.