MS and exercise....
 

Hello all! Ok, so I am on a new health kick (lets hope this one sticks around..). I need suggestions for exercises I can do to get the maximum weight loss. I have full capability except for balance and I get leg cramps after walking too much. Anyone have any butt kicking work outs that I can try so I can get skinny?? :) It would be appreciated!

Nothing??? Huh?

We're all eating lunch :o........let us think about it! :D :p ;)

**just kidding....I should be exercising instead of eating but I haven't gotten that disciplined yet.**

I found that I needed to build up my stamina first. I started with walks to the mailbox. everyday. there and back. Then when I was not completely exhausted or woozy from it, I walked across the street each day, and pushed it to down the road a bit, and back, and before long I found I am walking up and down the whole road. (1.1 miles) it has helped my stamina inside as well.

I know you spoke of weight loss, but your goal to start with should be some stamina. it will improve the way you feel as well as your balance. Controling diet, and adding exercise will help with the weight. I found laying around the house, I burned precious few calories, yet fed myself as if I was still active.

They have those rubber band things that you stand on and pull on or tug on that will help create resistance. It will help build muscle. Yoga is amazing! its slow, it burns calories, and it helps your endurance as well.

Have your hubby prop your bike up so the back wheel doesnt touch the ground, and ride in front of your TV. walk in place, or do sit and stand, sit and stand on a hard chair for 15 minutes. this will help your leg muscles.

There are several places on the internet for elderly exercise. I found using small simple stretches to start as if I was 90 really helped me. As I felt better, I added to it.

Way to go! :cool:

Follow your doctor's advice
 

I had to really hunt long and hard to find this good Doctor who gave me the advice that I was looking for.

jackD

I started with a recumbant stationary bike. I currently do Pilates, walking, and elliptical machine workouts. Light gardening is excellent too, and very rewarding, weather permitting.

Ahhh, I see you met my Doc, Jack..LOL!!

moderation in all things stressful
 

Thanks.. I have a TOTAL GYM and a LIFECYCLE. Dusting them once each week gives me all the exercise I can tolerate.

jackD

How much will you take for the two of them JackD? :) ;) You might just need something a bit more practical. I really wish I had a heavy duty but space saver rowing machine. Then my life would be nearly perfect. :rolleyes:

I am not exercising at all lately. But when I did (that whole 2 mins lol) I loved the balance ball.

I only got as far as sitting on it bouncing, and half crunches. But it IS good for regaining some balance. And it's fun. I'm a big kid, if I don't enjoy, i don't do it. Did yoga too, and will get back at that one day. Really easy stuff, but it feels so good.

Can't belive what a work out that is, just holding a pose.

agreed! I love the balance ball! It gave me a way to stretch my tail bone, and spine! ooooh, that felt so good! I have a pilates machine that does wonders as well for deep stretches. I found in the end after spending money on all kinds of machines, and gadgets the best one by far has been the Wii. its fun, its active, it keeps your mind engaged. Past that, its a walk that keeps me moving. Each day I try to go a step or two further. I have found that since increasing my stamina, I have found doing my inside stuff a bit easier.

Wii looks fun, and the price has come down. I love walking too. Here, I rarely do, but when I was in FL I did every day - well, there's someplace to GO there. And it's nice out.

;)

I have a yoga and tai chi dvd from the MS society. The yoga helps me stretch. Haven't tried the tai chi yet. That would help my balance. Also have a Wii, but I don't have the balance board yet.
Walking is the best exercise...

Thank you all for your suggestions! I really really really wanna get a Wii! Unfortunately, even though the price has dropped, it still is out of our budget at the moment.. I hate being broke.. lol Hopefully tax return season we can get that! It does look awesome and I think it would be something I could stick to!!

I agree, Yoga and Tai Chi are great! You're not adding a lot of muscle, but toning, losing weight slowly, improving balance and overall well being. You will be surprised at how much you will feel those first few stretches. And by how good they will feel.

I like Tai Chi, but to a dolt like me its more complex than yoga. I have a DVD, but my DVD player quit and the books are too hard to follow. Hope to get some new DVDs and player for Christmas and try to tone up.

The best advice? You need to try different things, maybe a combination of things, and take a good look at your diet. If you eat a lot of fast food that would be the first thing I'd cut out of my diet. Second thing is soft drinks. Never consider "falling off your diet" as "failure." Does the toddler just learning to walk fall down and think, "well, that didn't go so well. Guess I'll just crawl." No, he makes subtle changes and tries again.

Its our own concept of failing that makes a diet fail or succeed. Find what works for you, a life long dietary change you can live with, and exercise you enjoy!

Good luck