Experiment: Week of exercise.

My exercise of choice is the pool. In recent years, I have aimed for 3-4 times a week, but often not met this mark. Let's say twice a week fairly consistently, with walks, hikes, and occasional biking.

I wear a float belt and carry dumbbells, and spend about an hour in the deep end doing cardio and stretching. I am overweight, but very flexible, due to many years of movement training. I have worked up to this level over the years, starting six years ago with an elderly lady class in the shallow end.

I have had more pain recently, with new diagnoses. I have been low energy, and even when I have time to go to the pool, I haven't always.

So, my theory here is that increased pain, decreased exercise, and
increased fatigue are linked. Connected. The mean evil cycle. We
hurt, so we do less, which stiffens us up, which means we rest more, and hurt more, etc...

So, my goal is to go to the pool four times this work-week, and do a
hike/walk twice. I want to see what happens, and what I feel like by
Sunday.

Today, 3:15 until about 4:30. Neck, shoulders, and lower back hurt during (thank you, ankolosing spondylitis), but now the pain has lessened. No better or worse than a normal Monday. Normal half a 5/500 hydrocodone about an hour ago.

Update, tomorrow.

I do archery to strengthen my upper back muscle. It helps, I can now do chin up (well just one). I'm happy that I'm getting more upper body strength.

It does comes with a price though, I do have to get my muscle massaged to loosen them up, or all hell breaks loose.

Still looking at options that I'd enjoy to improve lower body strength. It's a bit hard because there are a lot more sore bits from mid back down to legs.

I have been going to the gym for 2 1/2 months now. I have lost 14 pounds and I am in less pain. I can tell a difference with my flexibility. I can put my foot up on my other leg to cut my toenails. Lol This is why I started going to the gym because I was having trouble reaching my toenails. Lol I have changed my eating habit too. I try to go to the gym 3-4 days a week. I am amazed how well I am doing. A

Keep up the good work. I was thinking about going swimming one day a week.

No problems sleeping last night, and woke up this AM feeling good. Actually noted that I stepped out of my shower without even thinking, without grabbing for the wall and the towel rack.

Well, at least, no more aches and pains than the usual.

In the past decade, when I felt the best, was when I was doing two hours five times a week. I used the pool and loved the elliptical.

In the past year, I noticed it has been easier to say 'Enh, I don't need to, or want to." And, yes, I might be achier immediately afterwards, but the long-term benefits are worth it.

I have late meetings today, so head back to the pool late this afternoon. Will let you know of day three!!

Myself, I feel much better when I'm moving.  I get my exercise taking care of my home and gardens.  Yikes!  I had some help in spreading 75 bags of mulch but there are still 8 more bags calling my name.  I didn't think I could lift them or shake the mulch out...let alone rake it around...but I have been able to do that and didn't have a problem.  Of course I am very careful and I don't cast my fate to the wind.  I know how to hold my body and back correctly so I can do things like this but it make me feel so good when I can accomplish things like this.

 

I know your exercise routine is making you feel good and I bet you are somewhat surprised at what you have been able to do...just like Angel!  I find if I try things, I really surprise myself so I always try things.  Sure makes you happy when you do it, doesn't it?  Congrats!

 

Sherrine

I decided to skip the pool today, due to other events. I was just a wee bit too keyed-up and anxious, and decided to come home. Tomorrow, I plan to walk. Friday and Saturday will be pool days, and Sunday will be another walk.

Maitland- please don't assume that I must feel less, or may be somehow in less pain than others. Pain is subjective. People choose to deal with their condition differently, and have many fundamental differences in age, experience, a range of other illnesseses, etc... The list can go on and on about our differences. But, and I try to say this gently, this does not mean I am unaffected, or must not be so badly off. Since we are all here, our lives have impacted by this condition.

Back to the exercise drawing board tomorrow.

Sorry myself 09,didnt mean to be nasty or think you had less pains you or the other laddies,when i read it again,i see now i shouldnt have written it that way,so sorry again XX

No exercise today. The massive front hit here as I was leaving work. Tornadoes in the area.

Methinks I picked the wrong week for my experiment!