Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...
So, from what I have gathered from research and posts on this site, exercise is a VERY important part of keeping your RA in check.
Whether or not you have a weight issue (which I do!), I have read that exercise keeps the joints flexible and can help with mobility overall, but doesn't necessarily help too much with the pain.
So, my questions is, how do YOU get your exercise in? If at all?
What do you do to lose weight or keep your weight in check?
I need to lose a LOT of weight but I'm finding it hard to just exercise due to pain, let alone do consistent and aggressive exercises that are required for weight loss.
Currently, I have a goal to do a 15-20 minute walking DVD each day. I know it's not much but it's a lot for me right now. It isn't just "walking" in place. It incorporates arms, hips, kicks, abs, etc. but it's set up so you can do them with minimum effort if you're having a painful day but you can put more effort into it to get a bigger burn when you are feeling up to it. I'm just hoping it will be the start of doing bigger and better exercises and getting my body in the habit of moving more each day.
Whether or not you have a weight issue (which I do!), I have read that exercise keeps the joints flexible and can help with mobility overall, but doesn't necessarily help too much with the pain.
So, my questions is, how do YOU get your exercise in? If at all?
What do you do to lose weight or keep your weight in check?
I need to lose a LOT of weight but I'm finding it hard to just exercise due to pain, let alone do consistent and aggressive exercises that are required for weight loss.
Currently, I have a goal to do a 15-20 minute walking DVD each day. I know it's not much but it's a lot for me right now. It isn't just "walking" in place. It incorporates arms, hips, kicks, abs, etc. but it's set up so you can do them with minimum effort if you're having a painful day but you can put more effort into it to get a bigger burn when you are feeling up to it. I'm just hoping it will be the start of doing bigger and better exercises and getting my body in the habit of moving more each day.
exercise has a price - it may not wish to be paid tomorrow, but it will want payment and sometimes those flares are really the dickens to deal with - moderation building up slowly would be my council
Be well - stay warm
Bluedogs2
As to diet I had success in regaining my total health going off all processed foods and grains. AKA the paleo diet. Along with regaining my health - I lost the 10 dress sizes gained from prednisone. Again, it was slow but steady.
Always think in small but attainable goals. Maybe 20 minutes of light exercise and lose 5 lbs in a months time... then when you get there set a new yet attainable goal.. and so on and so forth.
Good luck!
As far as weight loss? I refuse to get tied to it. My current goal is to make better choices - in regards to portion size, quality of food (just how many not-real-food-things are in my food anyway?!?) I definitely need to lose 40 preferable 60) pounds, but none of that will matter if I can't sustain it!
It is my hope that by making better food choices and starting to move some, that I can eventually some amount of poundage and feel better enough to want to move more. We'll see how I do at the end of the year.
I have a REALLY hard time making good choices when the weather is getting ready to drop colder again. It looks like that polar vortex is headed back to where it belongs and our -20+ temps will be back by this weekend.
Walking may not be the best for you, even though it's in the house, there is a lot of impact to your joints when walking. I love to walk - used to walk 5-7km (yup - I'm Canadian) with my BFF all the time, but I find walking puts my knees/ankles into a flare.
I use my elliptical machine in short bursts through the week - it's great cardio and no impact on your joints. I would also highly recommend a beginners class of yoga - it can have incredible benefits on your flexibility and joint health, and can help you with weight loss as well. There are some great beginner CD's out there if you prefer to start at home (Jillian Michaels for example)
Keep at it - you can do it, but just do in moderation so you don't hurt yourself!