I went swimming this morning, with my Mum and Aunty. I use to go on my own, but driving afterward is a struggle. It was soooooo very nice to be in the pool, which was all but empty. I walk half the length of the pool and very slowly swim the other half.
Whew I am tired, but damn I feel good mentally. So I think I will be shoofing off with Ma and Aunty 3 times a week from now on. But don't fear, I won't push myself, if I'm tired I shall simply relax, it just seems to have a soothing affect on me, wish I had a pool in my back yard.

Hey Nicky,

Romanian deadlifts are really good for the backs of your thighs (hamstrings). Just be sure to watch the video well before doing it so you don't pull something. Your lower back gets a workout with it also.
http://www.bodybuilding.com/exercise...anian-deadlift


Keep up the good work (when you feel up to it)! It is great that you are feeling well, and with the exercise I hope you get even stronger in the coming days.


Kristy

When I first saw this, i intially thought, sign me up! Of course. But yeah. I agree with some people, whom (not to downsize their mg atall) can excersize without going into crisis, or having breathing difficulties, I think it's a great idea. Especially mentally, as you can get very down on yourself. Yet pushing yourself too much, like annie said could lead to a devistatinh abyss of symptoms that are hard to come back from


Yet i wish I was one of those persons who could excersize, I'm
not and need to deal w it.

Thanks for thinking of me though

Hang on in there its early days. You will get there in the end. Someone once told me MG is a marathon not a sprint. Its hard but you will get there.

Love
Rach

Redtail- I love swimming...I haven't actually gone in ages, but even with long lapses between swims, I feel at home in the water...The best is swimming at the beach (as opposed to a pool)...The bright, warm sun, the breeze, the cool sand...Just floating is so nice...

Thanks, Kristy...I exercise at home, so I'll have to get some small weights and try out those exercises...My sister said that squats should work for those muscles, but I don't feel it when I do them in my hamstrings, only my upper thighs and butt.

Tyson- Don't worry- when you find the right meds., or they start kicking in to full potential, you'll be back to exercising in no time...I came across posts from other guys around your age with MG on other forums, and they also take either Imuran/Cellcept/prednisone and they were back to their exercise routines once their meds. kicked in and their symptoms were minor (compared to before)...Don't worry, time is your friend- listen to Rach.

Pat- Yoga is fantastic, especially for strengthening the muscles around the joints, which is what we really need...Not sure if you're taking prednisone, but the yoga will totally help with counteracting its osteoporosis effects.

I think that the breathing exercises are also good for getting to know your breathing...Even if you're weak in that area, it'll help you increase your abilities by strengthening other muscles maybe not used as much for breathing, making them better back-up...It also just makes you feel calm/relaxed...I'm not very good at the meditating part, though...hehe

Nicky

I know i know. Time time time. Thats all anyone says, and yet that seems to be the only thing that works. you all have had this much longer than I. So ill trust that. Can you show me these posts you talk of? Id love some hope.

Thanks.

http://www.mga.superbuilder.net/boar...516/551708.htm

^Not sure if this guy has breathing weakness, but he's running a really long marathon-kinda awesome (he's 26)

http://pages.prodigy.net/stanley.way...a/stanstor.htm

^This one is the most inspiring for me...I really think that his exercise has helped him manage his MG so that the severity stays at sorta a 'tolerable' level

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Neurolo...is/show/896598

This one gives advice from a neurologist's point of view on exercise and MG...I think that this guy's healthy life-style has prolly helped him manage the disease too...

It's hard to say about all this, especially considering you're young and have been so active...So I'm sure that living a sedentary life style doesn't predispose to getting it, and even being super healthy doesn't help in preventing it, but how you carry on after makes a big difference, I think...Besides, if mood has anything remotely to do with it (or emotional stress), exercise helps maintain a healthier base line in terms of mood, I think, so that's to our benefit...

You'll back get there...Try and find things that give you the same pleasure through work -reward...Like buying a big bag of chips, then eating it! Just kidding...Maybe doing something creative, then sharing it with others...This can provide a lot of pleasure too...Even catching up on reading, listening to music, playing music, all kinds of things.

Nicky

Whew, over did it with the swimming, that'll learn me!!! I'm a bit wiped out today, but I feel good mentally. So I think the next swim will be much less exercise more floating about enjoying relaxing in the water, sheesh you would think after 7 years I would know better, I guess I just want to be the fit healthy person I use to be..........................

Redtail,

I know what you mean about wanting to speed things up so you can get back to where you used to be...Then you end up with a really bad Charly horse, or just feeling plain wiped out...Don't worry, though...If floating makes you feel good, then you've reached your goal...Before you know it, you'll be able to move around more easilly, and you'll get closer to your target!


Nicky