"Use it or lose it" - my exercise dilemma

Starburst

Hello everyone

Just a flying visit but only a week more of university year 2 to go!

I've always been told to "use or it lose it" with regards to exercise and I see a physio who specialises in rheumatology, so I have a decent programme which I've always followed up until a few months ago. My exercise of choice has always been walking. However, due to the fact that I now have a car, naturally, I am walking a lot less. My pain levels have reduced hugely and the overall difference is quite remarkable. I'm taking fewer painkillers and therefore, the drowsiness from the meds has lifted. I realise that zero exercise is very bad, so I'm starting swimming which I am quite looking forward to. However, I wonder if walking very little is going to cause me big problems later on. Don't get me wrong, I am still making an effort but as I have the car, I'm missing out on extra exercise to and from the train station every day. I guess I didn't realise how much walking I was doing simply due to using public transport.

Thanks for reading. Any thoughts are appreciated!

daffy2

Perhaps it's an indication that you need to review the type of exercise you do? Walking, especially on hard surfaces such as pavements, can be hard on joints, whereas swimming would enable movement with support from the water.
I am also facing an exercise conundrum as I have osteoporosis, and should ideally do weight bearing exercise - but I have OA in several joints, including knees, and a dodgy back which also gets upset by pounding the pavements, so walking to town to do errands, which would otherwise be good, is in fact not good!
So long as the reduction in exercise from walking is balanced by more of other types of exercise, I wouldn't have thought it would cause you a problem - and the reduction in meds needed has got to be a good thing overall.

dreamdaisy

Swimming should be good because your whole body will be supported by the water. I can no longer walk that well (and driving hurts too), I avoid swimming because as soon as gravity hits I'm in a-hotter-than-my-usual-hell, but I do try to do my post-op exercises as often as possible, and I've forced myself to walk upstairs like an adult in the hope that my upper leg muscles will improve their tone to help out my right hip and delay my left hip joining the party. I've also bought a couple of rubber exercise bands for resistance work for my very saggy upper body (don't tell anyone I've mislaid 'em ) - would they be an option for you too? DD

chookgate

I find for a weight bearing low/non impact exercise an elliptical running machine, sometimes called a cross trainer, is very good. Obviously not something that is as easy to fit into your life as walking (since you either need to buy a machine or join a gym), but might be of help. It's not brilliant if you have osteo arthritis in the knees preventing a reasonable knee bend though (but with my new TKR's it's great!) as it does force a particular type of stride. I haven't been on one for years but you can also get a "free runner" which allows you to move in a full running motion, but with no impact.

Starburst

Thank you for the thoughts. I joined a gym but just couldn't find anything that didn't cause me pain. My feet, ankles, wrists and shoulders are pretty badly affected and this makes lots of exercise hard. I get on best with swimming, so I'm going back to that. I mentioned horse riding a few weeks ago and found a local beginners class, so think I'm gonna give that a whirl too!

I'm just a bit worried that at the age of 25, I have come to the realisation that walking has been getting increasingly challenging for me. The reason I got the car is because walking and public transport was just too much for me.

frogmorton

Hi Sophie

First of all WELL DONE for almost finishing your second year

Mmmm.... I would chat to the physio if you still see him/her he/she sounds knowledgeable. I think you are saying that not walking has resulted in you feeling so much better but you are worried that less exercise might mean more trouble away down the line?

I swim if that helps. Every week and 2/3 times when I feel well.

Love and ((()))

toni xxx

stickywicket

I think you're doing all the right things, Sophie. You need the car. Swimming will provide very good exercise and you will still get some walking in as life demands that. Just housework, popping up to the postbox, going for blood tests and appointments etc means it's there. I also take every opportunity to do stairs as I live in a bungalow.

Can you manage a cycling machine?

Horse riding is great for core muscles and lots of others, even when only at a walk. Arms and legs all get a good workout.

I agree with frog that you should check with your physio though as he/she seems pretty clued up.

Starburst

Thanks again for the replies. P.S. 2 days to go!