The 2 major was changing my eating habits & exercising which of course it's byproduct was losing weight. I dropped 20lbs, gained strength & muscle from weight training & gained modest endurance with light cardio. Did it help with the RA? I can't say for 100% certain it did but from all that I've read, "Keeping active" with exercise doesn't hurt, I guess unless you over do it.

Are you asking if you can substitute meds with diet and/or exercise?

The answer is a very, very definite NO!

Not looking to substitute my meds completely bc I know that probably will never happen. I am looking for ways to limit symptoms. Exercise has been helping a lot

I was an organic vegetarian before I got asthma or RA. So I just kept eating well, and I do not have any heart issues. About 7 years into RA, I got on some good meds and started exercising. I do stretches, range of motion, weights and ride a bicycle. That is one of the best things that happened to me. But I can only do it if the RA is under control. So last year I stopped, but I am getting back into it now.

I also got a routine down, besides exercise, including some hobbies and enjoying myself. I garden, play flute, and I study the Bible. We do need positives in our lives.

As for weight gain, I lose it, then I go on prednisone and it all comes back. It is not good for the joints to be carrying extra weight, but after losing 150 lbs over the years, and gaining most of it back, I am not feeling too enthusiastic about weight loss, sadly. I may have to go to a diet center, because my liver specialist explained in great detail why I need to lose weight if I go back on mthx. Sigh!

I've found that I can limit symptoms a great deal by eliminating nightshades....hard to do since many of them are in so many pre-prepared foods like paprika (and often not disclosed on the label).

I find working out in a warm therapy pool is the best for me. I do a some strengthening and stretching out of the pool. Also, being smart about not overdoing. That was a difficult lesson for me to learn. I was constantly setting myself back by thinking I could still do everything that I used to do. Accepting that was huge!

What helped the most was finally listening to my Rheumy and adding a Biologic to the MTX. I wish I would have started the Biologic sooner because I would have less joint deterioration.

I have started exercising. Sometimes I have to take a few wks off, but as soon as I feel better I start exercising again. Exercise keeps the blood flowing thru the joints and helps keep them mobile.

I started WW online in Feb but have since changed to meetings. It's working. I have lost 31.5 lbs. I travel 35 miles one direction on a Tuesday evening after work. This is major for me....I don't really have time for it as I babysit 5 grands 5 days a week. I decided I needed a little "me" time and refuse to let this go.

Meds...I still take prednisone, plaquenil and Mtx daily....same amount. I am hoping one day I can ditch some of the meds. To be perfectly honest, losing weight has done nothing for the joint pain. But, the exercise has helped with the tight muscles.

I'm hoping one day I can reduce the amount of meds I take...but for now, it is what it is.

I've had to start remembering to eat and also some weight lifting. I started to lose weight rapidly and I hear that's common. I dropped 30 lbs after my diagnoses. It was muscle wasting away. I pretty much snack all day on healthy foods and keep weights near my office desk at home.

You do tend to learn what foods irritate the RA condition and I think it's different for everyone. I can't eat super greasy foods or I feel it the next day.

I also am an avid trail rider so I do a lot of squats and ballet pile's to strengthen my thighs. The first signs I was losing muscle was when I came off my horse two Sunday's in a row when she spooked ad did a 360. I had not come off a horse in 7 years and it was later I would realize it had been due to muscle waste and I could not grip like I use to.

I still drink wine on the weekend and it has not affected any of my blood work. I am lucky as I have not been in pain in a while. I take 25 mg of MTX sodium injections a week and that Tuesday night blah and Wednesday blah's have pretty much gone away. Knock on wood. Last 3 -4 weeks have had no lingering nastiness after I take my medication. I am just about 95% back to the old me.

The only issue I have now the occasional comment from husband about how skinny I am. ugh. To me, I feel I am good. But he has always been use to having a heavy wife. Oh well.