Melanie,
I have a treadmill, and try to walk as often as I can. Right now, I'm not allowed, but can't wait for the go ahead, as my lovely lady lumps have fluffed as well. Prednisone on it's own will cause weight gain. I try to be very strict with myself, but it is hard. I do have a lot of muscle wasting, so I'm losing weight, but it's not good weight that I'm losing. I want to get stronger muscles, but it's a chore.
I was told, the best for MG'ers was walking. Have you ever read Stan Ways blog on his journey? His exercise program worked well for him. He's a great guy.
Love Lizzie

Thanks for the laugh Lizzie, " lovely lady lumps"! I have not read that blog but I will lool it up.


I may have spoken too soon. I was feeling so good for at least 4 weeks. Within the last couple of days it has been so nice out 80 - 85 and I have been outside playing with the kids. Well I can feel everything getting weaker including my swallowing and breathing. It is so discouraging because I thought I was going in a good direction.

The ONE good side effect of the pred are my big boobs! Love em'! Up to a d cup! YAY! I know - TMI, but I am trying to find the "good" in MG! LOL! I even asked my neuro if he approve implants, but he said to wait and see - AKA no way! LOL

I love to get on my treadmill when I have the energy! It really makes you realize how hard it is to burn off 150 calories - shucks!

My muscles are wasting away - only fat remains. I have got to get in shape but need to be strong enough to do it regularly......it will happen soon!

Hope you feel great today!
Big hugs!
Erin

Hey hon! Just think of it as another "bump in the road"..........it will get better! You will be STRONG again soon! It's always hardest the first year! After that you should have smooth sailing! 09 is gonna be our year!

Big, big hugs!
Erin

I bought a wii a year ago...and received the wii fit board and wii fit game for Christmas...it weighs me and tracks my progress....

I recently bought the high school musical wii dance game and dance pad that goes with it....If my strength lets me....I dance and dance to it with my 3 year daughter....we have a ball with it! She puts on her ballet costume and tutu....

At least...with the wii....I can stay at home...and no one can laugh at me if I look uncoordinated...or if I fall off the treadmill from imbalance

Stephanie

Hi guys! Hope everyone is well!
I too have experienced the dreaded weight gain. It's funny, I never thought of myself as a skinny person, always more of an "athletic" build. (I did a lot of water and outdoor sport in my youth like canoeing and climbing so I have big shoulders and big legs). But now looking back at photos I can see I took my physique for granted!! I miss the old me! The sewwling of my face is the hardest to deal with becuase I look like a chimpmunk at least I'm a chimpmunk who can walk-right?!?

Anyways, I too have a Wii fit and love it (although I don't use it as much as I should). I was scared about going to a gym and falling off a treadmill or something so doing some exercise at home was a good compromise. I love the yoga feature on the Wii and find it so relaxing. Now that I've built up a little bit of strength I'm thinking about trying the new gym at our high school. It's kitted out with top of the line machines and usually after school there is only one or two other teachers there and they'd pick me up if i did fall!!

I was swimming twice a week with my special needs class which was great - it did a lot to build up my stamina and confidence (I was nervous I'd drown at first but never had any problems). Sadly our timetables change on Monday and I'm no longer in charge of the swimming - BOO! I'll now have to be even more vigilent and try to exercise in my own time.

It's so nice today here and i should go for a walk, but i just want to lounge in the sun! decisions, decisions....

Talk to you soon!
~Kathy

Kathy yes, we are the walking chipmunks!!!! Better that than a chipmunk who is in the hospital on a breathing machine, right?

Melanie,
I think you should consult with your neuro on exercise before starting anything. Depending on the form you have, you can do different things. With my generalized MG I was told to avoid resistance exercise and encouraged more to the pilates, yoga, isometrics type. In my first year, the leg weakness was so bad that 100 ft. round trip was way too much!

When you start walking, remember that the first leg is only going to be 1/2 - you still have to make it back and the 2nd 1/2 is the hardest because you have used more of your "muscle juice" than normal.

What ever you do, stop BEFORE you feel tired. Then increase the next time, etc. until you find your new limit. MG is all about learning your limits, preferrably not through over doing, but gradually increasing until you find them. Limits do change as you get better controlled, and in better shape, but starting off you have to be very careful or it will all be for naught! Trust me, I've done it the hard way!

Brennan, that's amazing that you can do so much. I'm hoping to be able to get back to my routine now that they have this virus thing treated. I think it made up at least 1/2 of my weakness!

Connie, love your colors! I decided to join you, Erin, Lizzie, and others using them. More artistic too!

Becky

Thanks Becky for the info. I do have generalized MG.

We are the walking chipmunks! I went from a size 2-4 to a size 10-14 in a year - a year! It has been wild! Granted, I will always be thankful to be able to eat again and will NEVER EVER go on a strict diet - or stop drinking my juice all day long b/c I was so scared b/4 but come on! This is unreal!

On the positive side Im going down to 20 mgs a day in a few days - when I start my NEXT round of IV IG - but I just want to look like ME again!

I HAVE started working out on my treadmill - baby steps - and sometimes have dance contests with my neice but I have never had to lose 40 lbs b/4 and am wondering if I ever will!

Erin