Have arthritis, can’t light weights

Currahee3
Currahee3 Posts: 8 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I suffer from psoriatic arthritis, so most days my hands are in too much pain to lift weights. But I’m afraid I won’t lose weight by only doing cardio. Does anyone have any advice or helpful tips?

Replies

  • mistyloveslife
    mistyloveslife Posts: 111 Member
    I too have psoriatic arthritis. I do strength training regularly and it seems to be helping. I've been on every pill form of NSAID's and even tried Enbrel and Remicaid IV infusions. I'm currently not taking anything but ibprophen as needed. I know everyones not the same but my doctor suggested I strength train so the muscles can help support the joints. I do feel for you on the joint pain in the hands. It's pretty intense. The worst for me is my hips. Some days I pace the floor. I will tell you a lot of people lose weight by just cardio. Only problem is that you may not get as toned as you'd like. Good luck to you and feel free to add me as a friend!

    Also, have you tried an anti-inflammatory diet? I've been looking into that per the suggestion of my family doctor.
  • BikerGirlElaine
    BikerGirlElaine Posts: 1,631 Member
    Hmmm, that sounds tough. As I'm sure you know, being active seems to help arthritis so it's important to find something you can do.

    There are a lot of resistance exercises that don't require you to hold something. Off the top of my head I'm thinking of pushups,planks, most core exercises, yoga, pilates.squats & lunges done with bodyweight. How many of those things can you do currently?
  • rejectuf
    rejectuf Posts: 487 Member
    A decent amount of weight machines in most gyms don't require a solid grip. You could try those as you build up strength, and hopefully with more strength your ability to grip will increase and allow you to try some free weight stuff.

    The idea of planks, push-ups, etc. are good too. Heck, see if a gym has a weighted vest you could use.
  • MinnieInMaine
    MinnieInMaine Posts: 6,400 Member
    Exercise doesn't actually have a whole lot to do with losing weight, that's more about eating at a calorie deficit which you would be doing going by what MFP has set for your daily calories. However, it is good for your health, will give you a firmer body and may even help with your arthritis in the long run as the 1st responder said. The body weight exercises are a good suggestion. Do you have a specialist that you work with that may be able to help with other ideas?
  • Currahee3
    Currahee3 Posts: 8 Member
    I have not tried an anti-inflamitory diet, though I'd love to hear more about it! And I agree, I should do some sort of strength training to help my joints, if nothing else. I may try using machines rather than free weights for a bit and see if I can progress from there. Push-ups also hurt my hands, but I can try planks on my elbows. Thanks everyone for the help!
  • snowflake954
    snowflake954 Posts: 8,399 Member
    What helps me alot is swimming and aqua-gym (water aeobics). I have lost over 20 lbs in a year and have toned up alot. Swimming is something that you can do for the rest of your life--with arthritis. It limbers you up. Our pool also has a whirlpool that I use occasionaly after my workout---and that feels great.
  • BikerGirlElaine
    BikerGirlElaine Posts: 1,631 Member
    What helps me alot is swimming and aqua-gym (water aeobics). I have lost over 20 lbs in a year and have toned up alot. Swimming is something that you can do for the rest of your life--with arthritis. It limbers you up. Our pool also has a whirlpool that I use occasionaly after my workout---and that feels great.

    If you live in a big city, look for a warm-water swimming pool which is incredibly wonderful for arthritis. I used to use one when my fibromyalgia was bad, but everyone else seemed to be there for their arthritis.
  • Chieflrg
    Chieflrg Posts: 9,097 Member
    I suffer from psoriatic arthritis, so most days my hands are in too much pain to lift weights. But I’m afraid I won’t lose weight by only doing cardio. Does anyone have any advice or helpful tips?

    You will only lose weight by eating at a deficit. You will gain benefits from lifting and/or cardio, one being to eat more.

    Don't be afraid to try things that doctors have frowned against either. I took up running and to go along with weight lifting it has helped with 80% of my symptoms. A few people with PA/RA friends of mine here have now started running and are constantly updating me with their progress on how well they are doing and feeling better. I also suggest looking at your diet. I've noticed when I have a lot of sugar or alcohol, my pain worsens. Stress is the other thing that really seems to kick up the pain level, hence probably why running helps also, it release stress very well.

    Don't be afraid of the free weights, you just have to find exercises that doesn't cause pain. They are out there, I've been lifting for 30 years now. PM me with your goals and things that hurt/doesn't hurt and I can help with a routine for you.

    Lastly one thing I consume a lot of now a days in fresh pineapple. It contains bromelain which is a natural anti inflammatory. Its is considered & proven to be better than any over the counter NSAID. The core contains the most, so I pulse it up in the blender to the consistency of apple sauce.

    Good luck!
  • LoriLee133
    LoriLee133 Posts: 6 Member
    What about resistance bands? There are types out there that don't require you to "grip" the band and use velcro to attach round your ankles/knees/wrists. They are quite versatile. I also use ankle and wrist weights. Perhaps a medicine ball would be easier for you to hold?

    I know bodyweight exercised performed on my hands really hurt my wrists so you'd have to be your own judge there. But lower body weight ones like squats, lunges etc can all be done. Just make sure you keep correct form so as not to do your knees in.

    I have osteoarthritis and I try not to let it stop me but some days it just wins. However, these days are far less frequent when I am doing proper exercise, resistance training. When I don't I just feel worse and worse and worse. Like someone said before me, strengthening the supporting ligaments etc really helps support the joint.

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