MS sometimes makes it hard to keep moving, exercising, stretching, so we do less and less. Before long, its not just MS that interferes with our mobility and health, its also atrophy of muscle causing more balance problems and more muscle weakness.

So, we started a Club to support and encourage us to keep moving --You use it or you lose it! So, what do you do-- do you stretch, do you walk, swim, aquacise, isometrics, lift free weights, calisthenics? Please join the club.
!

I swim a mile a day. In 2004, I was so weak, I could not walk across a room. Now I swim a mile every single day and I do free weights twice weekly to help with osteoporosis prevention. Cherie (clinical1) was able to stop using her w/c after she religiously worked on a pool based stretch/exercise routine daily.

What do you do?

I joined a health club.

I knew I could not do the treadmill and other things as I am a bit wobbly but I thought I can go in the pool and just walk back and forth.

I decided to try the easy does it water exercise class and told the instructor I wanted to be in the back of the class as I did not want to be up front since I would not be able to keep up.

I was surprised at how well I could function in waist deep water. The class was all older ladies in their 80's and one is 92 so I am the kid!!

I go three days a week and it is so neat to be able to walk fast through the water forwards and backwards and do exercises and movements which I could NEVER do on dry land!

btw:
I exercise in the front of the class now!

I joined a gym too. So far, all I've really used is their treadmills. I just walk slowly on it, and make sure I hold onto the handrails.

I'm not sure I want to try to use their swimming pool, but I think that's just because I dont like my swimsuit and dont like it when people see me in my swimsuit. (cant find a new one that I like either) I may look at their pool tonight when I go treadmilling with my dad for a half hour. The lady that got me signed up at the gym told me their water is 84 degrees. I'm just not sure if that's too warm a temperature for me, or too cold a temperature.

Next time I have vertigo problems, I might try the swimming pool instead of exercising on the treadmill tho. At least if I fall down in a pool, I probably wont hurt myself.

Hi AZJanie, welcome to the club. Isnt that wonderful how well you've been doing in the pool. Pools are a hidden secret. I dont know why docs do not recommend them routinely to patients.

Erin, good for you for looking into trying out the pool. Here is a nice website for swimsuits and gear:

www.swimoutlet.com

I'd say take the plunge and don't worry about how you look in a suit. I am much older than many of the folks at my public winter pool,(Such as the high school swim team) but I just strut out there proud as can be that I'm participating

At the public pool, there are hugely obese people and they just put on their suit and go swimming. I'm glad they are not so self conscious that they avoid it.

Most of us don't look like we did in our teen years-- that's okay, we've been living life and it shows on our bodies

Ummmm, BBS, you're moving too fast for me......It's not August till tomorrow..

I did my usual, hard core (not) routine today.

[quote=Erin524;545602]I joined a gym too. So far, all I've really used is their treadmills. I just walk slowly on it, and make sure I hold onto the handrails.

I'm not sure I want to try to use their swimming pool, but I think that's just because I dont like my swimsuit and dont like it when people see me in my swimsuit. (cant find a new one that I like either) I may look at their pool tonight when I go treadmilling with my dad for a half hour. The lady that got me signed up at the gym told me their water is 84 degrees. I'm just not sure if that's too warm a temperature for me, or too cold a temperature.

I am extremely self-consious of this 60 year old body so I would never go to a regular pool.

I bought a very modest one-piece swimsuit and I was concerned about how I looked until I got to class and saw all the little old ladies of all sizes in the water having fun.

Compared to the ninety year old; I look fantastic.

tonight after I got done on the treadmill, I went and checked out the swimming pool at our gym.

I wont be using it for awhile. When I walked in there, the fluorescent lights made my eyeballs want to jump out of my head. I swear, I could almost hear my 6th cranial nerve screaming for me to close my eyes. I wasnt able to drive home. (good thing my dad was there, he drove)

I was only in the pool area for a couple of minutes. Long enough to look at the pool, check out the primordial ooze pool (hot tub) and look at the steam room and the sauna.

I'm still feeling woozy from those lights, and it's been about 20 minutes since I got home.

I'll probably have to wait until my eyes are healed a little bit more (if they even do that) from the latest exacerbation (cranial nerve 6 went fubar in late June) before I can use the pool at the gym. I really really hate fluorescent lighting!

I took one of those aquacise classes mainly for people with arthritis. Temp of the water was fine and none of them looked any worse in their bathing suits than I did. But MS society would only pay for one 6 week session.

I haven't seen my PCP in a good while. I mainly see his nurse practitioner. But I have enough issues with my legs and feet when walking I made an appointment to see him next week. I am also going to ask for a nutritional consult. I think since I'm on Metformin that medicare will pay for it. But I need help.!!!!!!!!

I didn't ask if I was a charter member. I just jumped right in and assumed! You can kick me back if you want. It might be good excersize for you all to do it!

LOL Doydie. We are ALL Charter members right now because it is such a new club.

Erin, re the lights--ouch! I have goggles that are tinted which helps since I swim in the bright sunlight. Do you think that would help you?

I am huffing and puffing. I just got back from my morning walk. My DH has been so supportive, and when he is done with his morning hike (about 10 miles) he calls me on the walkie talkie to ask "you ready?!" drat! darn! no no no! after a minute of radio silence he says "come on! you can do it! put your lil shoes on, and meet me at the mailbox." I begrudingly put on my shoes, and drag my morning butt to the mailbox. He is usually just walking up on it. This morning a neighbor joined in with her two westies. The pace was more brisk than I am used to, but I suppose its good to be pushed a bit.

I am home, wiped, sweaty, tired, and glad its over. There are some days I just DONT want to go! I am thrilled I am up and walking again, but have those slow lane days that I am not motivated.

Tomorrow will be better. it will be great when the humidity leaves us.