Spondylitis Association of America Forums General Discussion Off-Topic Forum Weight loss/ exercise

Irish Elf, can you ride the exercise bike? That is what I do most of the time, I do try to use the treadmill once in a while, but it hurts. I can ride the bike for a long time though( I usually only do 30 minutes, but could do more).

Tess

OK, I did my exercise 2 miles on the indoor track and my 45 minute water class. I made sure to eat before hand for energy. However, I don't have ANY energy. I ate a bowl of cream of wheat and my usual coffee. 3 hours later I ate an apple and about an ounce of sharp cheddar cheese with herbal tea-no sugar. I ate solely for energy and I am just worn out. Any ideas??

By the way, my hands were swollen when I walked the track. They did go down midway thru my water class. I thought exercise was supposed to give you energy!

The only way I have luck loosing weight is to really watch my carb intake... IMO carbs are evil. Don't get me wrong I do eat carbs, they are everywhere but I do keep track of them when trying to loose weight because I tend to over do them.

Tess, I wish I could bike. I have a perfectly good bicycle and can't use it. Cannot sit on the seat with my bad hip. <sigh>

Irish Elf, I guess I would talk to my doctor, but the water aerobics does sound like the best thing to me.

Tia, exercise will eventually give you energy, but unfortunately it takes a while. I don't know how many times I make it to the gym only to come home and have to take a nap. I get the swelling in my hands when walking too. My GP said it is from the NSAIDS. If you walk with your elbows bent at a 45 degree angle it is not so bad, or if you are like me eventually you get used to it.

I was considering bagging the gym for the 3rd day in a row, which I really don't want to get in the habit of doing, but you guys have inspired me to go!! Anything is better than nothing right!? I will let you know how it goes when I get back.

Tess

Good for you tess!

As for the hand swelling when you were on the track, try to keep you arms bent (like Tess said), but not rigid at the elbows and don't clinch your fists (which is a natural reaction in a lot of people). Many people will clinch up their upper body to keep themselves moving, but with the body pumping blood quicker, clinching can create swelling. You can expect a slight amount of swelling as your body gets used to the extra blood flow, but it will probably die down over time.

Sounds like you are doing great! Keep it up!

As for diet, I do not need to be on one, Cymbalta keeps me far too small as it is and I am fortunate that my family has women of small frame to begin with. However, I have hypoglycemia and have seen a diatician to make sure my diet is healthy. I try to stay on whole grains, heavy on low fat proteins or good fat proteins like peanut butter, and an abundance of fiber rich fruits and veggies. I give myself a splurge of a cookie or piece of chocolate every few days, because well, I LOVE chocolate.

Until a few set backs in the last few weeks, I use most of my day as an opporunity to try to stretch and use my muscles, sitting up as straight as I can, tightening my stomach muscles when I sit, doing stretches when I am reading, watching tv, etc. I do calf raises while I make meals in the kitchen, like when I am stirring pots, etc. None of this is really because I love to do it, although it is natural now, it is because I have so much AS pain that the stretchs and such help me to feel more in control and in less pain...probably all mental, but it works for me and it keeps me pretty tone.

I will keep up w/you guys here on the board, it is great to see people making a positive difference for themselves, not just the normal AS struggles.

GO TEAM!!!

Okay, I did my stretching and the weights. I only did 15 minutes on the treadmill, but for me on the treadmill that is pretty good. I have to take my son to volleyball later, I will probably play a game or two and count that as some aerobic exercise.

Tess

I just wanted to make sure this stays at the top. I know it is hard to "stay on track" over the weekend. My plan is to at least go to the gym tomorrow, but I will eat pizza tonight for dinner( two pieces, cheese, if you don't mind the carbohydrates pizza really isn't that bad a food). I bought a weight watchers cook book. I thought I might try some of their recipes, if they are any good I will post them so you can all try them too!!

Tess

today no formal exercise, but stayed busy and ate well. I was pretty sore from yesterday. I'm looking forward to continueing with this.