Jen, you like rollerblading. I do that. Today I fell on my A@#$...LOL!!!

Gosh, I am right there with ya. I have never been to a gym, but really got inactive this winter. I am gardening a lot now, and finally back walking, surprised that I am still able, lol. But I do love to walk.

I was thinking about something like Tai Chi or something, for better balance an strength. Yoga also would be good. I just don't do well with the jarring of running (pavement) and jumping around. I do love bicycling, and need to get my bike out.....

I really think that MOVEMENT is so important for us, physically and emotionally. We need the circulation to get the good stuff going and the bad stuff out (quite technical, aren't I?).

Blessings
Heather

Jen, I've been an active athlete all my life, and even at the age of 68, I am still going to the gym. I use the treadmill and you can use that as slow or as fast as you want to, go uphill or downhill, whatever suits you. I used to run, I used to fastwalk, now I go to the gym. It's certainly better than nothing and gets your heart rate up, which is always a good thing. Do what makes you feel comfortable, don't over do anything. Start out slow and only for 15 minutes or so, whatever you can do. Stretch before and after you walk, slowly and precisely. You will see a big difference before you know what has happened. Good luck honey and take my word for it that exercising is the best thing you can do for yourself. Just getting in the car and driving to the gym, changing your clothes into something different, working out and meeting other people that are way worse off than you are, but be persistant, you can do it, I know that you can.

Lots of love and hugs,
Norma....

I belonged to a gym I actually WENT TO! Here is why: I lived only 4 blocks away so I walked there as my warm up. When I arrived I was ready to hop right on a machine and GO! It was an all women's gym so I never felt any social pressure, and I didn't care if I felt fat or didn't look good!

When we moved, I stopped going to the gym. Instead, I took up walking. I invested in a treadmill for the winter months. Then we got a dog who did not like to do his business in the yard, and that required that we wealk his 3 times a day every single day, rain or shine or sleet or snow. Since he is a German Sherherd, he can go out in any weather. That was 7 years ago and I walked all the way through my illness. I just started walking him again last week after my surgery. I don't recommend getting a dog inless you are totally commited to it and it fits your lifestyle but it was the perfect "no excuses" reason to exercise for me. And I really think it is why I have come through the bilateral nephrectomy so well.

Best of luck!!

Hi Jenn,

I would try Yoga (according to my doc one of the best things we can do) and or the eliptical which I know is at the gym. I am able to do the eliptical well not anymore because of the cancer but after my surgery I've been told I can go back to it.

Good Luck

Nicki

Jen, how far from the beach are you? I find that walking on the beach (down in Boynton Beach) gives my legs and butt an extra workout, over and above what I get in (low impact) jazzercise. I love my jazzercise class because I love to dance and that's what we do there. Jazzercise also incorporates weight training. If you like to dance and can afford $37 a month for unlimited classes............
Lisa H

Jenn,
I'm glad to hear you're feeling better; you look great in your picture, too.

Anything that gets your heart pumping is great, walking (outdoors or indoors), treadclimber, elliptical trainer.

Yoga, as long as you modify the moves to avoid harming yourself (I'd try a couple of formal beginner classes first and talk to the intructor before class to let him/her know your limitations, such as no lying face down on the floor or folding yourself in half; too much pressure on the cystic organs). Pilates is the same, a lot of pressure on the abdominals, which most PKD specialists don't recommend due to the risk of cyst rupture (so no sit ups, etc.; basically once those kidneys and/or liver really start expanding, what muscles you have are what you're going to have, don't try to keep doing situps to keep them a flat stomach or make it stronger because you'll cause more harm than good). I know, it sucks (I used to have a flat stomach too).

Swimming is fabulous and great exercise (plus you feel weightless, always a bonus). Most community pools set aside time for serious swimmers (at least those who want to actually swim laps versus just float and play in the pool) and there's always county rec centers and the YMCA/YWCA as well as formal gyms.

Bike riding. Once you learn you remember for life. Just get your bike tuned up by a pro if you haven't ridden it in ages, get some new inner tubes put in for the season (if you're like me, they've long since shriveled up and died) and look for the flat area for the first few rides. Riding will really work those legs.

Whatever you choose, rememeber to wear your sunscreen, SPF 50, a big floppy hat, sunglasses with full UV protection and bring along your water!

And when chosing when to go out, think of the quote from the Noel Coward song from 1932, "Only mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun" and keep up with your afternoon naps and then go out and play!

Have fun!
Ruth

I have to be very careful of my kidneys due to chronic pain. I do yoga on a weekly basis but am lucky in that the instructor is a friend of mine who is aware of my kidney issues. Yoga can be tough as some of the poses can hurt. You really have to know your limitations and be prepared to not be able to do all poses.

My doctor recently suggested that I try an elliptical trainer so I have started with that 3 times a week. It works well for me as long as I don't push too hard on it. Rather than try to go fast I increase the endurance which is working out well for me as I have lost some weight.

I also have started lifting weights which seems to be okay as long as I keep the weights light and focus on repetitions. I don't know if you take anything for pain but I do. And I take something about an hour and a half before the gym or yoga so that it working well before I get there.

Hi Jenn,
Glad you're feeling well enought to exercise; this will probably help you to continue feeling good, too. I walk everywhere I can, and also have a treadmill at home so that I can be sure to have enough exercise. (I'd never go to the gym, though did in the past). I do 30 mins walking six times a week. Admittedly, I have gradually reduced my speed, and following my liver and kidney cyst bleeds earlier this year, was unable to get back up to speed because the jolting is too much. My husband suggested walking more slowly, but on an incline. I was frustrated by going slowly, but actually, find it hard work with an incline. He encourages me to keep going, at whatever speed I can mangage. I walk because it raises the heart rate (good for keeping bp down), and is good weight bearing exercise (good for bone density - mine is declining). It also keeps me sane (more or less!)

I also still do a couple of the pilates-based exercises given to me by a physiotherapist some years ago. I use to do more, but have had to abandon some as my abdomen has grown. The ones I can still manage involve lying on your side or back, on the bed, and are good for core strength. This helps the muscles which have to deal with the poor posture we can be thrust into because of our shape, and can help keep back pain in check.

Most of all, I think you have to try out different things until you find something you enjoy, otherwise you won't do it.

Have fun with your exercise,

Chewitt

One more thing, Jenn.

I gained weight steadily over the last 10 years (about 20 pounds). It turns out a good 16 pounds of that weight was my cystic kidneys, filled up with fluid. So it wasn't fat. Although the nephrectomy is a tough operation and nothing to take lightly, I feel better now with no kidneys at all and on dialysis than I did with 2 cystic ones! No more afternoon naps. And that extra weight came off in an instant, makig me feel lighter and more able to move comfortably. Nephrectomy may be a long way off for you, and there are many good reasons for keeping your native kindeys as long as possible. but given all the troubles you are having, it might be something you have to face in the future. I want you to know that while it isn't all sunshine and roses, that for me at least, it has relieved my discomfort and pain.

All the best!

Thank you all so much! My aunt is going to research some yoga techniques for chronic pain patients and I have support from a lot of friends who want to take walks too! We aren't far from the beach :)

I also have seizures, I don't know if I mentioned this before so rollerblading and bikes and things like that tend to make me dizzy now and can cause me to have one so I have to avoid those although I was thinking swimming would be good too!

soo many ideas :)

And ALinds I know what you mean! My friends make jokes saying "Grandma needs her afternoon nap" because I have to take them now but it's all in good fun. They rearranged my birthday candles to say "72" lol

Hi, DJ!

Did anybody mention diet????

Check out whether you've been "snacking" a bit!

Losing weight and getting fit are NOT NECESSARILY linked!
There are people at their proper weight who couldn't walk around the block, and overweight people who could outlast most people, like football lineman!

Seek balance! Keep active, eat moderately, and you'll be fine!

Peace and Blessings!
CoachRichie

You know what Jen, I think that Ruth is right about swimming, it just might be the ticket to get you back in shape, then take what ever comes after that. Keep up the good work, I know you can do it, give me a hollar if you need any help.

Love you sweetie,
Norma...

Yes, I have cut out my extra snacking and finally got back to drinking the water I used to drink daily.

I can already see a difference in the way I feel.

I'm going to have to solicit the use of my parents' pool now :D

I am on the "get healthy" track myself. We just had a new pool open up in our area and I can't wait to get started. What a great way to get a total body workout without the jolts! Plus I am watching what I eat and I am trying to drink more water. (yuck...I really don't like water!) I am also doing a modified workout using the "Biggest Loser" DVDs. I just do what I can and know that something is better than nothing. :)

Good Luck on your adventure!

Kelly