Getting Slim with MS

midnight333
midnight333 Posts: 149
in Fitness and Exercise
I have MS it's hard to do elliptical for more than 2 minutes I found out the hard way. I used to be able to do 5 minutes rest and go 5 more. When I was doing the 5 minute spurts my body was contorting over and caused extreme back pain. Had to go to the Doc. He said no more than 2 minutes at a time on elliptical. I cannot run at all, walking I can go 2 minutes at the most at 2.5mph then my leg starts dragging. I love rowing but will that be enough? Any other suggestions would be helpful. Thank you in advance for your consideration of my query?

Replies

  • JoannaAndBlue
    JoannaAndBlue Posts: 13 Member
    bump
  • sunshine_gem
    sunshine_gem Posts: 390 Member
    I would suggest you try yoga or pilates. Both are really low impact and I find them really relaxing. I have m.e. which I know isn't quite the same but I am restricted. Other than those I would suggest maybe swimming or some sort of aquafit class which will help take the pressure off your limbs and joints and should make it a lot more manageable for you to do it for longer periods of time. Good luck!
  • trogalicious
    trogalicious Posts: 4,584 Member
    Rowing is a fine workout.
  • Colexlovely
    Colexlovely Posts: 133 Member
    I have heard that yoga or anything slow like that is really good for people who have MS. My mother rides her bike every year 150 miles for MS. I am now doing that as well.
  • Eeshley
    Eeshley Posts: 4 Member
    I have Lyme Disease and I have symptoms very similar to MS. I really can't do much exercise but what I can do is walking, and just like you I start to lose my mobility early on so I sometimes use forearm crutches to assist me. My best form of exercise is the rehab program at the pool. It's like an easy version of water aerobics and it's really fun and a good workout. Even just walking around in water is an awesome exercise so maybe check out the programs at the community pool? Good luck!!
  • midnight333
    midnight333 Posts: 149
    I have Lyme Disease and I have symptoms very similar to MS. I really can't do much exercise but what I can do is walking, and just like you I start to lose my mobility early on so I sometimes use forearm crutches to assist me. My best form of exercise is the rehab program at the pool. It's like an easy version of water aerobics and it's really fun and a good workout. Even just walking around in water is an awesome exercise so maybe check out the programs at the community pool? Good luck!!
    I just joined the YMCA 2 weeks ago and have a wellness meeting with a fitness coordinator tomorrow. I know they have a pool I'm gonna ask her about it I think they do have water stuff to do. Thank you so much :smile:
  • midnight333
    midnight333 Posts: 149
    Rowing is a fine workout.
    Thank you so much I absolutely love rowing. The last time I was at the Y I rowed 1500 meters in 11 minutes. I don't know if that's good or not but I felt good about it.
  • midnight333
    midnight333 Posts: 149
    I have heard that yoga or anything slow like that is really good for people who have MS. My mother rides her bike every year 150 miles for MS. I am now doing that as well.
    I appreciate your reply but riding a bicycle is one of my dreams to be able to do again (in my profile). I have severe balance issues so yoga is out of the question also. Great ideas thanks so much for your input I really appreciated it. I do do stationary bicycle though.
  • midnight333
    midnight333 Posts: 149
    I would suggest you try yoga or pilates. Both are really low impact and I find them really relaxing. I have m.e. which I know isn't quite the same but I am restricted. Other than those I would suggest maybe swimming or some sort of aquafit class which will help take the pressure off your limbs and joints and should make it a lot more manageable for you to do it for longer periods of time. Good luck!
    Thank you for your response I do think the waterfit classes at the Y will be good for me. I'm now really excited to get my appointment tomorrow with the wellness coordinator there. Thank you sooooo much again.
  • nefbaker
    nefbaker Posts: 79
    I have heard that yoga or anything slow like that is really good for people who have MS. My mother rides her bike every year 150 miles for MS. I am now doing that as well.
    I appreciate your reply but riding a bicycle is one of my dreams to be able to do again (in my profile). I have severe balance issues so yoga is out of the question also. Great ideas thanks so much for your input I really appreciated it. I do do stationary bicycle though.

    I have a friend with MS, and the yoga — if you have a good instructor — should help you with the balance issues. You need to find a yoga instructor who is familiar with your issues and limitations and work with you on those. You can try contacting your hospital's local physical therapist to have him or her recommend a yoga instructor. Additionally Tai Chi — again, with an instructor who understands you — is a positive. I know that my friend does yoga — not the forms I do, but ones adapted to her — and no longer needs her cane 24-7, just when she has a flare.

    I wish you the very best. It is a hard disease to work with. Just remember — anything you do is lapping sitting on the couch.
    Mindy
  • Rho_Ro
    Rho_Ro Posts: 201 Member
    Hiya, If u enjoy it ur half-way there. After all, if something feels like a chore you will eventually try to avoid it no matter how good it is for you.

    I've done water aerobics in the past and really enjoyed them. At that time my right leg was very weak due to a damaged nerve. Blimin nerve got caught in one of the vertebrae involved in my minor scoliosis. I was told by the instructor what exercises I shdn't do and to just keep moving on the spot. Eventually I was able to attempt everything!

    I have a collapsible walking stick which I take out with me sometimes when I go on a walk, just in case I get stranded LOL I have been known to use it :-)

    I believe u will be able to strengthen the movement you do have. So go for it. Ur friends will soooooo support you and if you post publicly again, there isn't one person who wouldn't go out of their way to help and support you. Take care and good luck!
  • cechapman10
    cechapman10 Posts: 39 Member
    I also have MS and found that, as someone above mentioned. The right instructor can help combat your balance issues. I also found a couple yoga workouts for people with MS on YouTube. Pilates helps strengthen the core needed for yoga.
  • midnight333
    midnight333 Posts: 149
    I have heard that yoga or anything slow like that is really good for people who have MS. My mother rides her bike every year 150 miles for MS. I am now doing that as well.
    I appreciate your reply but riding a bicycle is one of my dreams to be able to do again (in my profile). I have severe balance issues so yoga is out of the question also. Great ideas thanks so much for your input I really appreciated it. I do do stationary bicycle though.

    I have a friend with MS, and the yoga — if you have a good instructor — should help you with the balance issues. You need to find a yoga instructor who is familiar with your issues and limitations and work with you on those. You can try contacting your hospital's local physical therapist to have him or her recommend a yoga instructor. Additionally Tai Chi — again, with an instructor who understands you — is a positive. I know that my friend does yoga — not the forms I do, but ones adapted to her — and no longer needs her cane 24-7, just when she has a flare.

    I wish you the very best. It is a hard disease to work with. Just remember — anything you do is lapping sitting on the couch.
    Mindy
    Thank you so much Mindy I'm so grateful for your reply. I'll ask at the Y if they have anything for people like me or even a senior class. That would probably be adaptive to me. Thank you so much again:)
  • midnight333
    midnight333 Posts: 149
    Hiya, If u enjoy it ur half-way there. After all, if something feels like a chore you will eventually try to avoid it no matter how good it is for you.

    I've done water aerobics in the past and really enjoyed them. At that time my right leg was very weak due to a damaged nerve. Blimin nerve got caught in one of the vertebrae involved in my minor scoliosis. I was told by the instructor what exercises I shdn't do and to just keep moving on the spot. Eventually I was able to attempt everything!

    I have a collapsible walking stick which I take out with me sometimes when I go on a walk, just in case I get stranded LOL I have been known to use it :-)

    I believe u will be able to strengthen the movement you do have. So go for it. Ur friends will soooooo support you and if you post publicly again, there isn't one person who wouldn't go out of their way to help and support you. Take care and good luck!
    Rho_Ro thank you so much you totally understand what I'm going through. My Doctor put a damper on my elliptical efforts. I was doing soooo good. I mean I started at only 1 minute and worked up from there. My diary is public you can check it out and laugh too at my comments. 4 years ago I had a major flare-up and was in a motorized scooter for a year. I then progressed to a walker for about 1 1/2 years then hanging onto my sister or husband then the cart when going shopping. Then a cane, I still have the cane in my car too in case I have a flare but knock on wood so far so good. Thanks again so much for your understanding and good luck to you too!
  • midnight333
    midnight333 Posts: 149
    I also have MS and found that, as someone above mentioned. The right instructor can help combat your balance issues. I also found a couple yoga workouts for people with MS on YouTube. Pilates helps strengthen the core needed for yoga.
    Cechapman10 Thank you for your reply, I'll be sure to check that out.
    Thank you again for your expedient reply:smile:
  • TheMisses22
    TheMisses22 Posts: 16 Member
    I know I am chiming in late but I also have MS and I started at the gym doing pilates and water aerobics. My Y has many levels of water aerobics. I found in my research of MS that most suggest water aerobics and low impact exercises like yoga and pilates. Luckily I don't have many mobility issues other than balance so I do water aerobics, Zumba, spin class, pilates, etc.

    I would also see if you y has a silver sneakers program. Mine does and I have taken a few classes within it. Even though I am not of the suggested senior age, the classes are aimed at those with limited mobility so they may be a good fit. (Some classes your sitting in a chair and using bands for strength training). Good luck!
  • shelmac
    shelmac Posts: 82 Member
    Hi Everyone, I also have MS and the last couple of days Ive been on a downer. Not being able to exercise. This topic has really lifted my spirits.

    Ive recently started injecting 3 times a week inferon rebif and find the day after I'm really feeling rough and dont want to exercise. Anyone got any tips or same experiences?
  • mmapags
    mmapags Posts: 8,934 Member
    My wife has MS and has some of the same balane issues as you. She cannot do cardio machines of any type for very long but she does do strength training based on Starting Strength with some supplemental lifts. This has helped both her fitness and her balance issues. Her Neurologist feels that the neuromuscular adaptations from strength training helps develop some alternate neural pathways in areas where she has damage from previous exaccerbation. This has increased her funtionality overall and helped her to keep fit.
  • unicornlady77
    unicornlady77 Posts: 72
    Hi, I was in a water aerobics class for seniors,the instructor suggested the senior class because its a bit easier but still a great workout. I havent done it in a while because the class filled up and eventually the shallow end of the pool was filled up and I cant really swim,lol. I loved it,it was sooo much fun! My issues are getting winded fast and overheating so the water was perfect for the overheating and they were fine with me stopping every few min or so to get a break.:smile:

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