New
 

I'm very glad to have found this thread. I actually posted about anyone having arthritis last night (Still learning my way around and didn't know this thread was here).

I have poly rheumetoid arthritis. My hips are the worst. I've ordered a yoga tape to try and have recently started with an exercise ball. It has caused me some back strain, but I'm not sure if it's the ball or the user.

Anyone from Indiana?

seekingme:

I posted on your other thread. I'm not that far away..KY, but the other side (closer to WV). Make sure you are using the ball correctly. I started using it when my physical "terrorist" (her name for it!) had me doing crunches on it. No neck or back pain but ohhh did the abs burn the next day. I learned the hard way start slow, increase slowly. I start with 10 crunches a day until the abs stop hurting and then increase from there. I bought mine cheap at walmart. I think there was a video but I gave that away.

The other thing it's good for is pushups. I have little upper body strength and the RA in the wrists make it near impossible to do classic pushups.

arthritis
 

Sorry about your arthritis. i had to take arthritis strength tylenol today was so bad but I do recommend water therapy or just getting in pool (warm of course) or at least 88 to exercise on your own. Makes a world of difference. Also, I borrowed tape from library called Gentle Fitness by Catherine MacCrae which is mostly sitting. and found it to be just great for me! (I bought tape after I tried it) Good luck.
:carrot:

exercise and suits
 

I guess I can consider myself lucky to have 2 pools in area (actually 3 with the therapy pool that has 90 degree water.) Alas it does not take my insurance. The one other pool costs 2$ a time or a set fee for each quarter. The 'Y' pool is free with my Silver Sneaker insurance.(Health insurance) Now I need to get off my duff and use one or the other. I am really hurting these days from NOT moving much at all!
About swim suits--I bought these nylon shorts that I put on over suit as cover up and take my robe to pool to put on till I get to pool. The worse thing at the 'Y' was the cell phones that take pictures. Thank goodness they banned them! Now, I must get moving and count my blessings.By the way, if you have a "Y" and you can't afford it, they will let you in. Talk to person in charge.

I suffer from severe arthritis in the knee and moderate in a few places in my back. I found 2 yoga dvds that are great for me. Following the exercises moves all the joints with almost no pain. They are

Yoga for the Rest of Us ,with Peggy Cappy

Healing Yoga for Aches & Pains.

I got both from Amazon.com. The second one is a little more demanding but on good days I can do it and get some of the tight muscles in my upper back to release.

I also do Walk Away the Pounds, 1 mile, on good days. I find walking in place is a little easier on my poor knees.

I was reading up on Arthritis and found that eating fresh ginger is supposed to relieve pain and inflammation. Anyone know about this?

Have a happy and painless day!

victoria

You might want to check with your local Y. They won't turn you away based on inability to pay full membership. I paid $77.00 for a whole year for a 'family' membership. Also, a friend of mine who has arthritis informed me that if a physician gives you a statement, water aerobics at the Y is free, but as I said check your local area.

I am so thankful to find this thread. I also have arthritis in my hands, feet, knees and neck. I also have planta fascitis in my left foot. I also cannot afford going to the gym, but I do what I can do. I use an aerofit for walking and I walk as long and as hard as I can. On bad days, I don't kill myself for not being able to do more. I am going to take another member's advice and go to my local YMCA and see if I can at least get a discounted membership to use the pool. I'm sure my physician from the community health center will write the script. Good luck to everyone and thanks for the support......

Me too, Plantar Fasciitis (I always have to look up the spelling of this too). I have it in both feet! I also have bad knees, back (Spinal Bifida) and constant stiff neck. Getting old sucks! :dunno:
Phillygal... I don't exercise because of all my aches and pains but some of the yoga tapes sound interesting, think I'll check into it.
JudyJudy...I don't do much walking, sometimes I sit on a high stool in the kitchen when doing dishes. Our apples are starting to drop so I've spend many hours in the kitchen making applesauce, I sit on the stool again for projects like that. My feet are good in AM but by afternoon they start to ache.