Exercising and training etc with UC

I work out 4 times a week for an hour and half cardio and weights. I am not a fan, but I know I am saving money by not buying drugs and I feel better afterwards .

When I have a flare I can't go. for the obvious reasons. abdominal discomfort, bleeding and the need to go which interrupts the workout. For all the reasons we are told to exercise, I do. I never had a weight problem per se, I do have type 2 diabetes, for which I do not take anything, because I control it through diet and exercise. I don't take any cholesterol reducing drugs, diet and exercise does the trick.

So now that your feeling better get yourself to the gym. Go slow and build back up to your old routine. The same same thing you would do if you had an injury from working out. Let it heal and then do moderate workouts until you feel better.

If is a nice day where you live go for a walk/hike. If you start to have a problem then back off and either take a break or do another activity that doesn't cause discomfort. Build up slowly, don't push yourself to hard, be patient and gentle with yourself.

You should really ask your doctor if it okay too.

All the best

If you're able to, try and conform your exercise to suite your flare...regular daily exercise is such a benefit for IBDers, it can keep osteo, arthritis issues at bay and as you probably know, it can help keep the bowels regular (so hopefully no severe flares will be in your future) and since it can be an excellent form of stress release, that's another good reason to continue some form of daily exercising with having IBD.

I work out at home because I find it best suites my needs and it's way cheaper IMO.

Thanks all for the feedback and information.

I am seeing my consultant on wednesday so will run a few ideas past him.

I am on a low residue diet for 6 weeks so need to do all I can to get back in the gym as I will start getting flabby. not allowed anything healthy. no veg, no fruit, no salad, no wholemeal cereal or wholemeal rice etc.

Only white bread, potato, cheese, pasta etc.

Saying that I am about 15lbs underweight at the moment so maybe it's a good idea to bulk up a bit on carbs etc. Just worried it will all go to my belly and not where I want. i.e on my arms shoulders and legs.

Prior to this flare, I ran 4-5 miles atleast 3x a week and did light strength training in between. I feel like even when I get out of this flare, it's probably best not to start running again, but I will take up walking.

When flaring severely, like I am now, I just can't do anything. I don't think it's wise to do strenuous activity when your body is already under a great deal of stress.

yeah soup and bread are my best friend at the moment.

on 40mg of pred a day so the urge for cheese on toast and pizza all the time is hard to quash. I am being good though.

I have been boiling carrots and parsnips etc and mashing them down. Not sure if I am allowed but it is the same consistency as mash potato and hasn't caused me any problems yet.

me and my girlfriend have been going for 30 min walks every night after dinner so I am getting some exercise.

Post Edited (Maccawings) : 3/12/2012 11:59:23 AM (GMT-6)

I'm too scared to do those! I have done the 30 Day Shred video and really like it. I'm a working mom with a very busy three-year-old, and I loved that the workout is so short, but super-effective.

I use a Bellicon for 30-60 minutes a day and it has completely changed my life--

it is at home and it isn't hard on my bod.
J

I ran 11 miles today, I find that when I takes days off my UC could flare up. On exercise things are pretty smooth, just keep exercising, it IS THE magic drug of drugs.

Another great post I've read today, that I can relate to.

Thanks for posting Maccawings.

I'm loving hearing everyone elses battles and knowing I'm not the only one with UC who strives to exercise hard.

And like others were saying in above posts, it is such a mind game. Having to eat all the opposite foods, than I normally would be for weight loss/maintenacne. When in remission I stick to steam veggies, and fruits, etc. Here I am during a flare, eating gluten free pasta, rice, mashed potatoes..all high carb foods. aaahhh.

I'm also a runner, like bananagirl. But struggle.

When in complete remission, I love to get outside and run...sometimes up to 14ish miles at a time.

During flares, even the time leading up to it...my warning signs... I'll go out for a 5-6mile run and have to stop 2-3 times at bathrooms.. sometimes barely making it to a bathroom. and often times will have to stop running and walk. I get so mad. Then after pushing it.. I'll resort to going to the gym everyday till the flare is completely over.

During remission or flaring I exercise 6 days a week. Minumum of about 1hr of cardio most of the time, and 3-4 times a week I take a strength training/ boot camp class.

During the beginning of my current flare. I took one day off. Then was at the gym. I'd be on the eliptical for about 11-13min, then I'd have to hop off and go to the bathroom. I would do this on and off routine to get at least 45min accomplished on the machine. Before calling it a day. I'd be so mad at myslef for not being able to do more, but knowing it was the best thing for me to stop.

-I can't wait until I can get back outside again.

Hey, I try and run 5/6 days of the week. A couple of 2 mile jogs, a couple of 5k's and a 10k on Saturday morning. Never been to a gym. Unfortunately this has gone out of the window recently due to a few factors, 1: I got an ankle injury from running! 2: My knees are bad (think it's enteropathic arthritis, comes with the UC territory I suppose) and 3: I've been keeping my food intake down recently which makes me a bit too hungry and tired to be out running.

I'm back on the pred now and going on azathioprine soon, so hopefully my flare will be under control soon,  and I'm seeing my GI tomorrow and a Phsyio in two weeks so hopefully I'll be able to pick up the running again soon and start training for some races - I'm going to be very out of shape though as I've hardly done anything since January.

I find that the exercise really helps with the stress/depression that can become a vicious cycle with colitis, and makes me a much happier and healthier person - so fingers crossed I'll be able to do it again soon!

Thanks all for the feedback and comments. Means a lot to me

It's interesting to hear that you all manage some sort of exercise regigme which is encouraging for me.

I am young, fit and healthy. I do not want that to change (well the young bit might one day ha!)

I am meeting my dietitian tomorrow and the gastro consultant. I shall run a few ideas past them and see if they have any advice for me to start off with.

Thanks again all, you're great X

Maccawings, glad you're making a recovery... Do you do alot of weights? cardio or yoga? I was concerned about losing more weight also and finally being off prednisone got back into working out... I use Now Foods Organic Whey Protein Isolate, which has no derivatives of other ingredients (like soy)... Easy to digest and goes straight to the muscles!

Unfortunately, the past week i've been experiencing stomach aches for 5 hours during the days and am forced to go early in the morning, but I hope to maintain weight, like you.

I would say, don't push yourself on the first few weeks of starting to workout again, and maybe don't do ab workouts, i've pretty much avoided them since.!