Types of exercise for those with RA

During the summer I was in the lake Alot, so got good, non painful exercise.

Now its around freezing, and found out how much walking hurts when I went to the store today. There are no pools in this rural area. I can't get on and off the floor by myself. Extremities can't bear much weight, and even a little weight cannot be borne for very long.

What type of exercise is there? I don't see my rheumatologist again until spring, so can't ask him.

All the exercise I used to do, I can't anymore...I don't know what else there is around here. lol Thought maybe someone would have an idea/suggestion.

I personally use Body Flex - AWESOME way to loose the weight or to just stay trim..... without all the pressure that free weights can cause. (as seen on HSN.com)

BodyFlex is a special way to perform aerobic exercises, with the concept of dynamic deep breathing.

At the core of the BodyFlex system is the GymBar, a resistance bar designed to be used while sitting down. It incorporates a variety of stretching and toning positions, and targets the areas women want to firm and tone - upper abs, lower abs, waist, hips, thighs and upper arms.
These workouts can be performed at home or in the office, and with regular use, you can help increase muscle tone and help strengthen major muscle groups.

LINK: http://bodyflex.com/

Tony Little does a good exercise video as well....... I like his older tapes better than his newer ones.


LoVe,
Rhapsody -

P.S.

I like the older videos...... so here is a link to Ebay were YOU can buy used one if YOU like.

Tony Little
http://health-beauty.search.ebay.com...8QQsacatZ26395

Body Flex 1& 2 with Greer Childers
http://health-beauty.search.ebay.com...trypage=search

* * * * * * * * *

I was diagnosed with RA in March of last year. I became aware of my pain and discomfort about two months earlier. I have arthritis in my ankles, knees, shoulders, elbows, wrists and fingers. My arthritis has changed the way I do everything, from morning through night.

I picked up some books on RA. One of them is "Exercises for Arthritis", by Erin Rohan O'Driscoll. It is quite thorough, covering almost every joint you have. Lots of circular motion, stretching, etc. I should do more than I do.

Your arthritis may be more severe than mine, and you may live in colder climate. I am in Southern California, and the summer was pretty good for me. Now that things are cooling, it is starting to get tough again.

I hope that helps. Another thing that has helped me is the Arthritis Foundation. http://www.arthritis.org/

GW

Stretching! Use a soft rope or even a leg cut from a ruined pair of hosiery. The idea is firm support while doing anything, so as not to bear too much weight. Lying FLAT on your back for leg stretches, calf string and ham string stretches. Keeping mobility in the joints is key. If you can add light weights without aggravating your joints, do so. (But remember, when using weights in your hands or on your wrists, anytime your weight goes out of your view, it's damaging something )

I agree about the breathing. Most honest runners and exercise experts will tell you the main thing is the breath. (They, of course, also get the runner's high.) There is even a type of exercise that is ONLY deep, good, proper breathing. That is what exercise is meant to do in the long run anyway, get more oxygen to your cells. That's what produces the health and weight loss etc.

But weight bearing exercise is good for the strength of bones. But, imo, not at the cost of the joints.

Using hot packs and heating pads after every session of exercise is a must. TC

Thank you Rhapsody, I will check those out

GW, I hadn't thought to look there, though I am a member and go to the discussion forum! I will have to go browse.

That's a good one Sky, will have to see if I have any hose. Hot packs/heating pads sometimes make my joints feel worse. I don't know why, because sometimes when using, they feel make my joints feel better.

Good tips, thank you for sharing!

Ok, then at the times heat doesn't help, use ice packs. You really need to use one or the other, to help the area recover faster.

I use both, as my nerve pain hates heat, but my muscles require it. I've learned to treat the muscles first as they retain the good longer and also they can pull the bones out of place if they are left unattended, then treat the nerves with the ice.

Good wishes!

<center></center>

May also try putting a hot pack on your joints before exercising to loosen they up. Then put a cold pack on after you finish to keep them from swelling. Doing this helps me a lot.

Thank you Sky and Monty_girl

I will have to do a bit of trial and error to figure out what works best, I guess.

"trial and error", whoooo ain't that the truth!!!!!!! be gentle, go slow, good luck!

True. The problem for me is not everything works the same way for different times. THEN add the memory problems, and you see why I have my Pain Management List in a few places (out of sight out of mind) to remind me of all the things that DO work...depending upon ME. LOL

<center></center>

Thanks }}}}hillbunny{{{{

I'll have to put 'Be Gentle...go Slow' somewhere I can see it often, I think.

I always end up doing too much, too fast and then have to pay for a day or three

*cough* My outing yesterday, for example. LOL

At HSN:
BodyFlex + System with Gym Bar and Meal Plan - Item: 480-755

$7.18 (plus 20% off all clearence - use coupon # C59265)

http://www.hsn.com/cnt/prod/default....rev=hp!sf!dept

Andrew Lessman's nutritionals are pretty high quality stuff, imo.

For exercise, I like Tony Little. Did you know he had a terrible injury to his spine and was in a wheelchair and the doctors said he would never walk again??? He took what he had learned as a body builder (MR America??) and developed the exercises for himself, and voila he's in excellent shape and fully physical.

I use his tapes because I know going slowly and carefully with his program will work for me and my spine and pain.... of course, haven't been able to all this year, and physical therapy is about all I can handle right now.

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
_Sky said:
Andrew Lessman's nutritionals are pretty high quality stuff, imo.

For exercise, I like Tony Little. Did you know he had a terrible injury to his spine and was in a wheelchair and the doctors said he would never walk again??? He took what he had learned as a body builder (MR America??) and developed the exercises for himself, and voila he's in excellent shape and fully physical.

I use his tapes because I know going slowly and carefully with his program will work for me and my spine and pain.... of course, haven't been able to all this year, and physical therapy is about all I can handle right now.

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

YEAH....... I got Tony Little tapes as well...... I have had them since I was about 25 years old.... He is good! - and all his tapes are safe on the back.

But - now I prefer to practice the Body Flex way.... less pressure on my old arthritic body (RA & Fibro).

Thanks.... for the heads up on Tony Little for all the others that are seeking...... they cannot go wrong with either Tony Little or Body Flex.

LoVe,
Rhapsody -

I didn't know that about Tony

I'll look into some stuff soon, when we get a bit of money not tied up in bills. Or maybe I'll ask my Santa to bring me something