Leenie posted over in Jiff's exercise thread in the WLS forum:
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Meg, I have arthritis in the back and knees, I really want to shape up my flabby thighes and under arms.... what can I do w/out killing myself and how much to start would you suggest.
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just to have my legs bent for any length of time hurts like mad and my back and hips are really stiff and sore b/c of the arthritis there. I need to loosen my body up but don't know what to do. I don't want to have to do 1 hr of stretching just to start to do my exercises, I just don't have the time at night and forget the morning, I can't get up any earlier than 4:30 am.
But I do know I need to start and do something soon.
I told her that I'd bring this over to our experts here -- any ideas, ladies? I suggested water aerobics but perhaps some of the trainers/trainers-to-be/knowlegeable people have some ideas for her. Does anyone here have problems with arthritis?
I agree Meg, that water aerobics would be her best bet. However, I think more info needs to be known about her - is she pre or post WLS? If she's post, is she down to an ideal weight? Since arthritis effects the joints, I don't think stretching more will make a difference.
I'm curious because my older sister (300-350# all her adult life) started with the arthritis in her knees and hips around age 40. She's now 59. She had a hip replacement on one side several months ago, after getting down to around 225. Just taking that much weight off, miracalulously relieved the pain off her knees and other hip. She does water aerobics 3 times a week, and is pain-free, med-free.
Water aerobics is great-- some places have classes specifically for arthritic people. I've also heard that "hot" yoga is good for some people. That's the slow type of yoga performed in a very warm room, it's supposed to stretch you out without pain. Never tried it myself, though. Good Luck!
Water aerobics is AWESOME IMO. I did that quite a bit in the 70's and 80's. Doesn't stress the joints and it's fun to boot!
Just as a side note - many horse trainers (racehorses and other disciplines) regularly use special equine swimming pools to strengthen the horses' muscles and increase their stamina without so much ground work, which can cause stress fractures and injuries to ligaments and bones that are still growing.
While my mother was recovering from her masectomy and could not do her regular step aerobics classes, she took up swimming and water aerobics classes on the recommendation of her surgeon and it served her very well indeed! (Mom has never had a weight problem, BTW).
Thanks for the help. I joined a gym a few years ago in hopes to do water aerobics and at that time they had kiddy swim lessons and then shut the pool. I don't have access to a pool or the time (I work full time and have a 2 year old). I was hoping there was something to start helping me loosen up my body, my muscles and joints are just so stiff. My doctor told me no aerobics or jogging, stuff like that. I would like to do something effective but gentle, gee is there such a thing ? lol
I am 65 lbs over weight so I am no where's near my goal weight. I didn't just develop arthritis, had it since I was a kid. Also in my 20's and early 30's I was not over weight by much, maybe 10 - 20 lbs, its only recently that I've put on alot of weight (I've lost 27 so far on atkins)...
Have you thought of trying Pilates? It's very effective yet virtually no impact. I did Pilates years ago as a dancer, and have recently started doing it again when I just can't stomach a regular workout. Best part is, you can buy a DVD and do it in the privacy of your own home if you so choose.
Check Amazon for DVD recommendations, I have "Pilates For Dummies" and have found it to be very good.
Can You Help Leenie? Exercise Question
