What type of exercise is best for UC?

Cardio etc?

I agree. Yoga is probably the most beneficial for UC. In addition to poses, it includes breathing exercises and meditation. Both can be used for reducing stress and calming the body. If you want a more cardio workout, then try Vinyasa yoga. It will help you to work up a sweat, which is good for detoxifying the body.

I, too, have taken the 200-hour yoga teacher training program.

I think swimming would be good, you could do it as slow or fast as you felt you could, any given day.
Except it would be inconvenient if you suffer from urgency.

Don't jump rope. Tried that.

beachlife said...
excellent points on the importance of breathing and meditation

Subdued, how did you do it?!? It's crunch time here. Living/breathing Yoga, and still behind! Congrats on your certificate. Did you choose to teach afterwards? Just wrote my first class script. wow. Do you find certain Asana's most beneficial for you/your UC? Again, congrats, that is a commendable achievement

I took the yoga teaching program for myself. I might never use the certificate.

I had been doing yoga for some 20 years so the program was easy for me. It was something I had wanted to do for a long time but didn't because of the expense. I was happy just to be there.

Our main teacher had us work up to teaching classes by having us first practice teaching asanas altogether, then in small groups, then individually. I felt quite comfortable by the time I had to do my practice classes.

I mostly practice yoga asanas to increase flexibility, not for IBD. I do breathing exercises to cleanse my body. I meditate to de-stress.

Perhaps lying on the back with knees to chest is the best for bloated tummies. It helps get the air out. Plus, the body isn't inverted, which isn't good if one is bleeding. However, if one isn't bleeding, then shoulder stands are also quite good for getting out gas.

As an expert in the fitness field I would recommend 10 minutes of light aerobic to prep the body for a short but intense calisthenics work-out (look into the TRX, or a simple self-body routine you can find online) followed by a max 30 minute intense aerobic routine (or the 20 minute miracle -- 1 min at 60%, 1 min at 70%, 1 min at 80% and 1 min at 90% -- 4 cycles)

You should probably alternate the 10 min/calisthenics and aerobic days to start until you work up your fitness.

I also recommend swimming for those who are stressed out. It helps calm the body.

I have been alternating 30min walk a day and 20min cardio a day. I am going to try to build this up a little more each week. Sometimes when I start walking I have to have a bm, but then I take care of business and get back on.

I just want to feel strong again

beatUC said...

If you just keep moving with whatever routine suits you, that is key, pretty much anything is better than the couch.

I agree fully and there is nothing more that I can add to what you have said which I agree with. Everything has gotten better since I started doing the exercises that my body is able to handle. It doesn't cure/prevent Crohn's/UC but definitely worth doing at least an hour everyday.

Yeah ...LOL.
q

I've been doing heavy weight training. I feel stress free when I get out the gym but its depressing when I put on about 15-20lbs of muscle then lose it all including my strength gains due to a flare. This happens to me every year. My weight is a roller coaster ride.

Ernee said...
I've been doing heavy weight training. I feel stress free when I get out the gym but its depressing when I put on about 15-20lbs of muscle then lose it all including my strength gains due to a flare. This happens to me every year. My weight is a roller coaster ride.

Yea, I know. It's like a cycle. 15lb-20lb of muscle loss makes so much difference in lifting. I'm down 70-80lb for incline bench from 225lb and around 100lb for deadlift and squats from 315-345lb, compared to my original strength. Used to leg press 870lb and I'm down to leg pressing less than 500lb...
Btw, I <3 ATG squats. I can't drive right away after doing em though b/c my legs are dead lol.

Post Edited (CollegeStudent) : 6/27/2011 2:51:17 PM (GMT-6)

wrxBRAH said...
On prednisone its very hard to gain muscle mass since its a catabolic drug. Ive heard it causes muscle to break down and stops muscle growth from several reputable people in the bodybuilding industry. From my own experience I can tell you its very hard to gain actual muscle mass while on prednisone. A lot of the weight gain comes in the form of fat and water retention.

I personally lift weights and run for exercise. I feel that if Im not constantly working my muscles out, I lose them. (noticable strength loss).

I would think the best exercise with UC would be swimming. Something about being in the water (hot tub/pool/ocean) makes my UC symptoms go away.

WOW I did not know it was catabolic! I just got off prednisone. Thanx a lot im going to look into it some more.

CollegeStudent said...
Yea, I know. It's like a cycle. 15lb-20lb of muscle loss makes so much difference in lifting. I'm down 70-80lb for incline bench from 225lb and around 100lb for deadlift and squats from 315-345lb, compared to my original strength. Used to leg press 870lb and I'm down to leg pressing less than 500lb...
Btw, I <3 ATG squats. I can't drive right away after doing em though b/c my legs are dead lol.

Exactly I lost so much strength. When I get back in the gym after a flare I grab smaller weights but still cant do many reps and feel exhausted after a short time lol feelsbadman.jpeg Its unbelievable how much our body changes in couple months due to a flare but I try not to go too hard after being on prednisone since it can cause weak bones :-/

Leg days is my favorite day, I love when they feel dead like that lol