I was at Weightwatchers last night and the leader was talking about doing 5 x 30 minutes exercise each week to help with the weight loss/fitness. She then suggsted that people who couldn't do 30 minutes at once could maybe spread 3 x 10 minute bursts into each day. I thought about it, and how some days just walking upstairs, or around the office at work is too much, and that really caught my breath. It just reminded me how much life can change. (Not that I've ever been a great athlete, but I didn't used to have to decided whether to use my energy on food shopping, or doing some cleaning! I know other people feel the same, but it just makes me feel better to write this down, then I can get over it :(
Kathyx
Thanks for raising this issue, Kathy. I've been thinking a lot about it recently and I'm not sure what to do. I have great difficulty walking: I always need to use a stick or walker, and I rely on my wheelchair for distances of more than 10 yards or so. How do you exercise weak legs? All suggestions gratefully received!
I used to go to a neuro physiotherapist for walking advice and some exercises. They had suggestions for 'core strength' exercises which could be done on the bed, and arm strengthening exercises with a big elastic band. Even when I remember to do them - thanks brain fog! - they don't seem to make a big difference.
We all have good days and bad days, different bits of us that work better than others so I'd love to hear other people's experiences. Do others find that it's all too easy to do a little bit too much and end up with the shakes in your arms and legs?
Take care - Chickpea
I use an exercise machine that can be used by people in wheelchairs. If you would like the information on it, pm me and I'll be happy to provide it. It is like swimming without water.
I have weak legs, just call me weak body woman! from inactivity due to the Sjogren's. Been using this for over two months now and am doing better. Started out at two minutes twice a day and worked up to ten minutes twice a day on speed one. Then the flu hit and I'm back to six minutes twice a day and working my way back up to ten and hope to be able to do sixteen minutes twice a day at a higher speed. Can't wait to tell my rhuemy about it. She asks every time if I am exercising.
Sounds like a great machine Lighthouse.....you're doing it right....start with a little and work it up slowly! Good job!
I have found that swimming is a good exercise although I'm not doing it now ;D....when I was in PT and had to go into the warm therapy pool...it felt great. I did my exercises in the water and thought...well this is easy...but its probably not to going to help.....but when I got out of the water I could actually feel it in my muscles so I knew it was doing more than I originally thought!
Hang in there Kathy and Chickpea...I'm with ya and can understand perfectly....daily life can wear me out...forget about the exercise! :o
Both swimming or bike riding are great because there is no stress to your joints. I have a recumbent bike at home which helps me. Resistant bands and the pilates magic circle are also great for building strength. Grabbing a one pound weight and lifting it a few times a day will help. On everything I've read short 10 minute sessions 3x a day are as effective as a 30 minute session. I hate exercise but the thought of slowly being robbed of my ability to walk and balance myself scare me into doing something.
Today was my first day back at ten minutes twice a day. Hurting a little, not surprising.
My cat loves to give my mom and I kisses while we are on the machine. Starts out with the nose, mouth and then gets really aggressive and goes for the hair. He doesn't do it every time but today was my turn. Think he likes it because we are down on the floor on his level. It's hard to relax like you are supposed to with him loving you.
Awwwwwww....yes it sounds hard to exercise that way Lighthouse...but it sounds nice too! Kitty kisses are wonderful!
Hi Linda
Welcome aboard. My exercise for today has been walking around the office at work, and to and from my car for the journey. Unfortunately, there's no fuel in the engine for anything more.
Well done you, with your exercise.
Kathyx
Hi Linda,
Welcome to Sjogrens World!
I'm afraid my exercise is a LOT less than what you are doing...but I give you credit for doing all of that! Why don't you start a new thread and tell us a little bit more about yourself! We would love to get to know you better!
Just wanted to add that I recently bought a Pilates Power Gym from ebay and it's great! It wasn't very expensive, around ?120, and is easy to move around and store.
It's basically exercise lying down (exactly my cup of tea!) Although I do it mostly for stretching and flexibility, you can also do cardio work, and it supports the back and prevents strain on joints, so good for those with less than perfect knees. I actually look forward to doing it as I feel better afterwards.
Tabby
Sounds like my kind of exercise Tabby...doing it while lying down!
But seriously...good for you! I'm glad that you found something that works for you!
I have a "sit in the chair" all day type job. About 1 week ago I did a really good job pulling a muscle in my back at home. My muscles kept clenching up there and after I even got up it took 10-15 minutes for me to be able to walk ok without leaning on something. :'( Tried going to work (Bad idea), had to leave to see dr and a coworker even offered to help me get to my car! I got put on bed rest for 2 days, naproxin and muscle relaxers. Am ok now but I've never had back problems before. Really made me feel like an old lady! ::) And I was given exercises to do to help strengthen my back as sitting all day wasn't good for it and it probably made those muscles more weaker.
I got a cat that gets in the way when I am trying to do some things too, like typing on the computer. ;)