Posted 11/29/2015 7:17 AM (GMT 0)
I have continued to lift weights throughout most of my flaring. There have been periods of weeks on end when I haven't been able to though. And that kind of sucks cause if you have to stop for a few weeks then you have to basically do a reset, zapping all of your previous progress. I'll tell you weight lifting with UC is very very frustrating, so maybe not the best "sport" to get into. Back/muscle/joint pain is no fun to lift weights with and probably not smart either. Not to mention days when you might be worried you'll make a mess in the gym. If I feel that way, I just won't go in that day.
I usually just make sure and try to get as much out as possible before I go in to the gym. I think once your mind is off your UC and you are doing another physical activity it kind of keeps it in check for the time being. I have lifted while on prednisone and that isn't that smart either as it is catabolic and puts more strain on your tendons making it very easy to injure yourself. You just have to be careful and not push yourself too hard then.
I have played slow pitch softball for the last ten years. The last two summers you could say I was technically flaring while playing. Again, I would always try to go to the bathroom before going to my games. I somehow haven't had to miss a single game due to UC. I'm also a pitcher, so kind of all eyes on me all game too.
I have also taken yoga classes intermittently over the last year plus. Before I was diagnosed, my lower back was all messed up along with my other UC symptoms but I didn't know that was a UC symptom at the time. I started doing yoga to try to fix my back. Yoga makes you feel amazing so I really enjoy it. However, if you are having urgency/pain issues then I would not suggest it. Some of the positions you put yourself in will put your colon in weird positions which will make pain come on. With me, pain and urgency kind of go hand and hand. There are a lot of positions that are said to help the digestive tract though. But if you have active inflammation in your colon, then you will feel it during these positions. I haven't done yoga in a few months and really miss it. I'm feeling like this week I could possibly go back to class.
Just writing all this out has made me realize that in the gym, on the mound or in yoga class could be 3 of the worst possible places to have an accident, lol, ::knocks on wood::
But all in all, it is your judgement to decide if any activity while flaring could put you in a potential awkward situation. Depends on the severity of your condition at that time.