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QueenMama · #1 11-23-2006, 03:52 AM

I'm wondering how others exercise with their health problems. And what exercises do you do?

I've seen exercises to strengthen legs with people with arthritis in the knees, but there is no way I could do most of them, just because of the arthritis!

Walking can be extremely difficult on some days, other days I'm ok, so I can't really rely on regular walking as exercise. I do have a Gazelle, and I find that usually that is the best form of exercise for me, because it doesn't aggravate the arthritis nearly as bad as pounding on the pavement.

What about you? Diabetes, heart problems, asthma, etc. How do you exercise and not aggravate your health problems, and is exercising helping you to improve your health problems? Would you share your exercises with us, and let us know your successes, or what exercises you avoid?

And, HOW DO YOU GET MOTIVATED to exercise, in spite of your problems?

I'd really appreciate your comments, and perhaps we can help encourage ourselves and others to get moving!

dad2bike · #2 11-23-2006, 04:56 AM

For my bad knees I have the most success with biking. I like to set the seat height so that I can get the most range of motion. It really doesn't have to be a long period. Just 15 or so minutes at a time. I was unable to do the Gazelle. It caused undue stress on my particular knee arthritis. It also helps me out to take 4 aspirin within a 1/2 hour of the gym. It helps me thru the work outs. Another thing I like to do is after driving to work, 1/2 hour trip, I will do 10 squats just after stepping out of the car. It limbers up the knees from sitting in that position for so long.

Motivation... Now there is a problem I have, like many others. Hard for me to take the first step.

babybluejay1 · #3 12-03-2006, 11:04 PM

I stay motivated by not wanting aches. The doctor had my back x-rayed and said I had scoliosis a few years ago. I went to physical therapy and they showed me weight training exercises for my back. If I take a break even for a few weeks I can feel my back act up so I try to keep up with these exercises which expanded to other weight training machines. Isn't it crazy that I have to exercise to stop the pain. I used to think that it was no pain no gain!

This is a great thread! Dispite all odds we exercise!

QueenMama · #4 12-07-2006, 03:13 PM

I found a website, www.strongerover40.com

This woman has books, videos, etc for sale, but she also has some really good info on the site. Basically, as we age we lose muscle mass, and we need strength training to replace lost muscle, and even if we are quite old, we can still regain muscle. She says the main exercise to begin with is squats, because this is what strengthens our legs, and improves our mobility and balance.

I have printed out the 3 exercises she demonstrates on the site, and am seriously considering buying the book/cd combo. If I incorporate this into my routine (which I plan to get back to soon), perhaps with the Gazelle, and these strength exercises, I might start seeing a downward trend in my weight, as well as strengthen my muscles in my legs and perhaps be better able to cope with the arthritic knees. I'm going to give it a shot, anyway.

gregg · #5 01-04-2007, 01:16 AM

How are things going exercise wise Nita? Were you able to get motivated?

QueenMama · #6 01-04-2007, 12:46 PM

Gregg, thanks for asking. My problem is getting up early enough to exercise before I have to get ready for work. I had no problem last summer, but for the last few months I sleep right until I have to get up!

I'm trying to start slowly - again! - and work my way up to 30 minutes a day. I use a Gazelle. It's a great machine, it's just getting on it that's my problem. I may have to change my exercise time to right after work. I am NOT a morning person.

Everyone says to walk - well, walking is murder on my knees. The Gazelle is extremely low impact with lots of aerobic benefits. And, if I can figure out a place to put it, my next purchase might be an Ablounge. My son has one, and they really like it.

gregg · #7 01-05-2007, 09:45 PM

I'm trying to work some exercise in in the mornings too Nita. It's not easy getting started, but I kow once it becomes a routine it'll be easier. You might consider yoga or pilates type stuff, low impact but not whimpy. Good core type practical stuff.

CarolynInTexas · #8 01-31-2007, 02:03 PM

I know you asked me this about exercise, how I get up so early 5:15 to be a the gym by 6:00 in the morning.... it takes 3 weeks to change a habit... the habit of getting up early to get that exercise... it take 3 months to have it a way of life...When I started getting up in the morning I went to the gym everyday early for 87 days (almost the three months) and after that it was easy, of course I have a hard time getting to bed early enough (always been a late nite person) but if I can get to bed between 10 and 11 pm, then it isn't a problem... try going to bed earlier, that might help...

I find that if I get up in the morning get my exercise in, it get me reved for the day and if I go after work, I am running on almost no energy....

take care
c

QueenMama · #9 01-31-2007, 07:53 PM

That's interesting, Carolyn. I exercised regularly for nearly 4 months, but got sidetracked right before our 3 mini vacations last fall, and then I never got back to it. I really think it's just hard for me to get up in the winter. In the warmer months I can get up early, but I just want to hibernate all winter. I'm in bed between 10 and 11, but there's no way I can wake up before 6:30 and exercise. Perhaps when the days get longer........(don't you just love my excuses?)

CarolynInTexas · #10 02-01-2007, 01:46 PM

Ok, here's a thought, Nita, don't you go home for lunch....
why not do 15-20 min of exercise before you eat, or after you eat....
that is a way to get in the exercise during the day when your body is most apt to burn more and keep burning for the rest of the afternoon....
then when you get home after the day is over, you can do another 15-20 min then you are getting anywhere from 30-40 min every day....
have you tried this yet...
c

QueenMama · #11 02-01-2007, 02:19 PM

Nope. It takes about 10 minutes to get home, 10 to get back to work, that leaves 40 minutes to cook and eat lunch, and chill out. I think I'd rather just try to get up early and get all the exercising in before my day starts. That way I'll get sweaty just once, and have my shower right after. It's just a matter of doing it.

Actually, I'm wanting to flip 2 of my bedrooms, so my exercise room is in the brighter room, even though it's smaller. It's laid out better for what I need. But it's going to be a lot of work, because both rooms need new paint, and floors. And my husband doesn't seem too keen on it. I guess I could do it all myself, and that would be lots of exercise!

gregg · #12 02-01-2007, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by QueenMama

It's just a matter of doing it.

QueenMama · #13 02-22-2007, 06:01 PM

I just got some of my Protein Power books, and one is co-written by the Eades with a gentleman who advocates weight/resistance training, and their exercise plan calls for one 30-minute workout a week. I looked at the 10 exercises they have, and most of them look doable. Well, the ones on the floor don't. I think I could get down there, but not sure I'd ever get back up! So, those I will try to do on the bed. Some use dumbbells or homemade weights, some use ankle weights. You work out for about 3 minutes per exercise, and you do all the exercises one right after the other. Their claim is that doing these no more often than once every 5 - 7 days is all the exercise you need, because they work all your muscles, and strengthening your muscles is the most important aspect to exercise. As your muscles strengthen, then you will be better able to do things like sports, if you want to do them for pleasure.

So, I will attempt to do this, and keep you posted as to my success or failure. I plan to set aside Sunday for my exercise day. I expect that if I see any results, it will not be for at least a couple of months. And, we'll see what effect the exercises have on my knees.

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