Exercise - what works for you?

Everyday living
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Hello lovely people,

Last week I asked about if drugs were worth the side effects. You were all really helpful and other peoples opinions and perspectives really helped me think about the bigger picture.

So… this week I have been thinking about exercise. I have a love hate relationship with it really, love it if I am good at it (not often) and hate it mostly!

I was a member of a gym and have got rid of that as was not using it. I have a friend who is a PT who I see once every so often to do stretching and light weighted exercises. I have run 5km in the past, and with MS (although I didn’t know I had MS at the time). I used to also walk long distances with students on DofE (I’m a teacher).

Since diagnosis, I have stopped running and would like to get back into it. I have been told by my school that I am not allowed to do DofE as I would be isolated with students and a sudden onset of symptoms (fatigue, dizzyness, unsteady on my feet) is too much of a risk and they cannot spare staff to walk with me. I have been to a couple of crossfit taster sessions, I know this is seem as a crazy exercise, but I am making sure I am not pushing myself to lift really heavy or really high intensity, even if it means I am the worst in the class. I have noticed an improvement in my strength, something I would like to keep up.

I just wandered what others thoughts are? At the moment, I can manage about 7.5Km of walking without being absolutely exhausted, not a massive fan of swimming or cycling. I know I am very lucky to be able to exercise, I want to do as much as possible to stay strong and fit, and keep my body strong and fit as well. I told my boos that I had tried crossfit and she went a bit crazy, telling me I need to conserve my strength for my job!

Would love to hear what you lovely people have to say - good, bad, crazy =)

Happy Tuesday,

Jenny

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I start a special Physio run fitness class with a personal trainer and my Physio tomorrow. She tells me it’s for people who are trying to still work full time who used to be very active but struggling to maintain it because of MS.

At the end of 2014 I was still a Ski Instructor (as many weeks as I could in my annual leave from my proper job), walking my dog 7.5 miles on days off work. 2.5 miles on work days, attending 2 gym classes a day on days off, working 12.5hr days on my feet as a nurse.

The programme is six weeks and looks at re training our CNS System to re adjust our balance and optimise our activity levels. I am told there is some Pilates type activities, some aerobic, circuits and then for the last few minutes a ball game. Will report back afterwards am excited but nervous as my activity levels have been much lower. The Physio was optimistic we could get me able to start attending my previous classes again.

Snowqueen x

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with regards to exercise, my attitude is to do as much as you can, as intensely as you can, as often as you can.

like taking meds and having a good diet, with no ciggies and a splash of booze, its all about investing in your future!

with that said, unless you find an activity that is beneficial but also fun, you will never stick with it and it may even become something perceived as a burden. and we have enough of those already :slight_smile:

good luck!

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Do as much as you can, while you can. I have never been an exercise fan and thought an active and physically demanding way of life would stand me in good stead for the onset of more disabling symptoms. I now go to a class organised by my Neuro Physio and I am saddened at my lack of core strength and how little I can do.

Jan x

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I use a gym pretty much every day and consider regular stretching and working on core strength to be essential. Now I admit most gyms are fairly dull places, but without this effort my condition would quickly deteriorate and maintaining the ability to walk (a bit) is all the motivation I need.

Doing whatever you can manage is an awful lot better than doing nothing.

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Hiya one and all

Last year had to sell my car, although I was passed fit to drive an automatic (let leg shakes - so no clutch), sadly it got to the stage when I couldn’t turn the ignition key. So sold my beloved Julie, spent all the proceeds on a second hand mobility scooter and loads of spare bedding ('cos I have to change the bed when my pads leaked) what bliss - £400 worth of 600 thread cotton, gee it feel great.

I went to a local gym, but got a bit overawed by all the fit lycra chics and the male abs, so gave it up. My NHS physio introduced me to a gym - four miles away, no buses (I only walk about 20 metre or so these days). so after four initial sessions with the physio, I have become a fully fledged member. Really great value - £30 a year, then £3 each session, one hour, two whatever you like, really heap coffee/snack bar and a set lunch every day.

Rain or shine - I set of on my scooter, usually twice a week. I do about 10 minutes gentle stretching & warm-up. Then onto the equipment.The first few times, fell flat on my face on the treadmill, but now manage up to 150 metres, with both my hands supported, so I don’t wobble. I do 2 x10 minute sessions on the bikes, shoulder lifts, ankle lifts, the whole circuit in fact. To date not managed to move up from weight 1 or 2 (They go from 1 - 40), but I am not intimidated as all of the other members are disabled in different ways.

Takes me an hour each way on the scooter - but the fresh air is great.

Each time I go I sense an enormous achievement, more so than when I evented at Badmington & Burleigh in the 60’s. or even in 2003, whe I finished a charity marathon in the mountains of Tenerife in five hours 10 minutes.

If the battery could last, I would be up for a marathon on my scooter - but walkin, 260 metres is not possible now, let alone 26 miles.

So Jenny, seriously, pace yourself and do what you can, while you still can, but don’t get depressed if you can’t do as much as before, every achievement is a mile stone. Another tip, when you’re sitting on the computer or watching the tele, sit on a Swiss Ball, it helps to maintain core strength, & keep your balance, (Keeps your shoulders back and helps breathing as well) also there are some great Pilates exercises with a ball that you can do at home. Search on the net and there are loads.

Chin up sunshine, go for it !!!

Mary x

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P.S. sorry for the mistakes, brain spells, but finger don’t do so well

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I’ve got a couple of those gym balls, I really wish I could use one of those while I’m sat here on my computer, but the desk is just a bit too high to be able to do that comfortably.

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I love exercise. I have 4 children and encouraged them all to be active - Tennis was our game - I played for my school many years ago and even went to county selection, but was passed by, but my children weren’t. After the many hours of watching I started helping and eventually became a mini tennis coach, running sessions at my childrens schools and then being asked to help out at bigger clubs as my children from local schools were beating public school in county tournaments! I had 4 children and my youngest was a daughter and although talented at tennis, she chose skipping! From the age of 11 she has represented UKAt the age of 17 she now represents GB and has been seen on many a childrens tv programme. And now for my sins, I have introduced skipping at a school in a nearby town. However, my ability over the years has decreased, some of it down to age, I am now almost 50! but I still want to be 21!!! With all the wisdom, I have picked up along the way, thanks to some fantastic people.

So as you can imagine, Ms has been a bit of a blow for me! 10 years ago, when I lost my co-ordination, while I was in hospital, my physio included a racket and ball, but my latest relapse has affected my walking :frowning: I still have a dog and had a lovely stroll this evening but the sensations and the movement of my legs is weighing me down.

My motivation is if you can exercise…do it! Do what you can, when you can because once you stop things get difficult to restart.

You’ve just got to keep moving - or you’ll lose it, is my motto.

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I absolutely loved doing pole dancing/fitness and took up Taekwondo as a form of cross training. Was very active, doing around 5 hours of pole and around 3 hours of Taekwondo a week. Then in Oct 2013 I noticed a weird sensation in my left hand which rapidly progressed to some pretty serious pain - I then had 8 months with virtually no activity whilst investigations were underway. I’m in the ‘Probably MS’ camp now and have reluctantly given up pole - but I am back practising Taekwondo and yes, I have to make adjustments due to over-heating, getting overly tired and not doing press-ups (due to L’Hermittes like electric shocks). I have been known to walk out of training using a walking stick - its that or face plant on the way to the car.

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have commented on the exercise issue before. My philosophy: do what ever possible and most importantly what ever I enjoy! Get up early, go on my bike to sport centre, swim 10-20 length, do aqua, exercises in water, much more suited to me me than gym where I get easily confused with machines and can’t follow instructors. Finished between 9 and 10 am. Do all my shopping on my bike and walk where ever poss. Work in the afternoon +evening. Always stop when too tired, go to bed around 10/11 usually after the News, sleep very well at night. What a boring person! but the only way to manage the Ms monster, for me.

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I really agree with gingerlll. It is really important that people with MS exercise regularly - preferably every day. But we will only do this if we find types of exercise that we enjoy. I am going on a cross-trainer in my house, listening to the radio or watching TV at the same time. I’m trying for 10 minutes in the morning and 20 mins in the evening. I only actually manage two sessions about three times a week but rarely have a day when I don’t do it at all.

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Had my first physio exercise class this week. It was brilliant! It took 2 days for my abs to stop complaining afterwards so hopefully waking them back up. Did have spasm issues with my foot later in the day but have strategies from the Physio now to try and get that under control. Lots of Pilates type core strength activities, did some cardio on the exercise bike and then we all played Handball together. Was good fun and was actually surprised how much I could do. Bring on next week.

Snowqueen x

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Hello,

Once again, thanks for the helpful comments and advice. I was ill last week and actually realised that I need to get off my arse and do what I can each day, even if it’s a walk for 3 min up the road.

I want to remain active as long as possible and to do that I need to be self motivated and just get on with it!

No more excuses,

Jen x

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Secondrowchick - Sounds like a rugby term ?

CYCLING !!!
It’s the only way to go.
I have put a few things on here about exercise, and cycling is a must for anyone who wants to keep the legs as strong as possible.
Mountain Bike in Winter, Road Bike in Summer.
I need to keep my right leg ‘clamped’ in, but otherwise, I am not affected by my balance issues on a bike :slight_smile:

My strength is going, particularly on the hills, but I love it
Drop me a note anytime on the subject.

i have just posted a note on Bee Venom Therapy. Have a read. I was stung whilst cycling. You may find it interesting.
It’s under Everyday Living

Mark