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Has exercise made a difference?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 1/14/2012 10:28 PM (GMT 0)
I have only had UC for a little over a year.... does anyone think exercise makes a positive impact for their UC? I have been walking, but didn't know if anyone has seen improvement just from changing their exercise routine....

Female, 38, Diagnosed Jan. 2010 with Proctitis
Asacol 400 mg x 12 pills/day
Canasa nightly
VSL3 - two capsules in the morning
calcium supplement
daily multi vitamin
Lexapro (stress management)
Proventil (for asthma)
Claritin and allergy shots
Low lactose, low fiber and no sugar diet
Low platelet count (had this several years before UC, gets checked annually)
Posted 1/14/2012 10:40 PM (GMT 0)
Absolutely! Walking is an amazing stress reliever, exercises the mind. I find on the days when I do exercise I get lost for a while, don't even think about my troubles. Strenuous exercise is probably best to avoid when during flares, but go for whatever you can handle I'd say. Yoga and meditation helps me so much.
Posted 1/14/2012 11:07 PM (GMT 0)
I think exercise is great for your overall health but I don't think it will prevent or improve a flare. I was in remission, exercising 4x a week and I still had ups and downs in my UC. I was great for weeks or months, then flare symptoms, then great again. I am happy I have been able to continue to work out, not as much as I would like to, my energy level has been extremely low lately but I appreciate being healthy enough to do so. When I was in a severe flare up, I was barely able to leave the house.
Posted 1/15/2012 12:05 AM (GMT 0)
hey Mpotter =

i agree 130% with what stero & notso said - as would i think most people here -

i do as much as i can, when i can - you're body will tell you when enough is enough - then scale back for a bit until your ready to put the pedal down again -

Posted 1/15/2012 12:46 AM (GMT 0)
If my colon feels swollen up and just icky, I get on my elliptical and go at it lightly and in no time my pain is easing up. Also, when I am exercising regularly (atleast a few times per week) my symptoms always seem to start easing up and lessening. Its atleast worth trying to exercise regularly and see how it helps you. If nothing else, it is good for you and your body and when you have UC it is important to try to take care of your overall health (although I am very guilty of not doing that)
Posted 1/15/2012 1:03 AM (GMT 0)
My favorite is the pool. I love to work out in deep water. I put on my float belt, my Zoomers flippers and grab a noodle. I can go as easy or hard as I like. I've taken enough classes to learn my own routine and I base my work out on how my body is feeling.
I have joint pain quite often so the water is what makes it possible for me to have less pain but still get my body moving. I feel its critical to keeping my body from getting stiffer and to keep my digestive system in order....it keeps the bloating and gas moving.
I also sometimes walk on the treadmill or outside if the weather is good, use the recumbent/elliptical bike, row for a few minutes and maybe even use the eliptical or cross country ski machine (its easier on my poor old knees),
Keeping moving also helps the joints stay lubricated!!
Posted 1/15/2012 1:33 AM (GMT 0)
Exercise, as long as you enjoy it, will probably be of some benefit to the body. I find that it helps to bring stress levels down.
Posted 1/15/2012 3:01 AM (GMT 0)
Personally, jogging regularly (daily or thereabouts) makes me flare without fail.

Walking can never do harm though! Gentle weights seem to be ok too. Keeping in shape will only make your body stronger to help deal with your condition.
Posted 1/15/2012 4:47 AM (GMT 0)
Exercise has nothing but positives, it actually helps the bowels function properly...best part is there are so many forms to choose from and you can modify them to suite your flares.
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