Exercise tips
- I am a Personal Trainer and was diagnosed with MS in 2006. After research and analysing my own ability, I tend to stick to working out with low weight and low intensity. However as anyone with MS will find out, everyone is affected in different ways. I would advise anyone with MS to speak to a personal trainer about how your MS affects you and get them to create a program for you to use whether its in a gym or at home.
- —Guest David Heald
Energy
- I have terrible problems with fatigue and take Provigil every day. Last week, my step-mother gave me one of those "5 hour energy drinks". I was having one of those days where I could barely hold my head up. It made a huge difference in how I felt. I looked at the label and it seems to be mostly B vitamins. I have ordered some and am very excited to see if it continues to work. I don't work for them or anything just excited to find something that helps!
- —Guest Donna
my motivation
- i dont have any energy at times thats when there is no way at all i could exercise! but then i get recharged here and there- and i start thinking positive again - plus hubby has been my rock! so i start again and keep on keeping on!! but i admit sometimes why doesnt the lord just take me?? guess my work on earth isnt done!
- —Guest faye
exercise bike
- i am unsure just how long i have had MS, but i do know it was long enough that i have one leg that drags heavy.there are days i am to tired to ride but i know there are many days i enjoy riding my bike in my livingroom while listening to music or tv.the point i am trying to make is. even though there are lots of days after even a short ride on it i have to lay down. i try to ride every day though, because i believe it is helping me to stay walking.without this exercise both my physical and mental health would suffer. even after being left tired enough that i need to lay down[it doesn't take long some days] i know the exercise is good for me
- —Guest guest kevin
workout
- When I was first started to notice symptoms of Ms I stop moving. Ms stops people from moving this very true. Then after my diagnosis I was told by several docs that I need to work out. I told them that it is hard to workout when your feet/legs go numb. Being overweight all my life didn't help matters ether. I have been on every diet known to man & very fad diet too & have been always very active all my life. After awhile I got sick in tired of docs telling to workout & that I am fat. Fat people know they are fat they DO NOT need to be reminded of it every time you go to the docs office. So what I started to do was workout slowly. I bought 10min workout dvd's then I built up a workout of 45mins in about 6months. There are workouts that I miss doing that I use to do before I got MS. I just had to out around my Ms to workout.
- —Guest heather
Do it!
- I have been a regular exerciser for over 10 years now. But 2 years ago I was diagnosed with MS. I still exercise 5 days a week, but at a lower intensity. I know that it has helped me immensely with my balance and strength. But I sure do miss my really difficult workouts!
- —Guest Bonnie
Finally getting it all together
- After finally pulling myself out of a stressful corporate position and going on LTD, I find more motivation to prioritize my overall health. While working, I was too tired and stressed to maintain an exercise routine and good eating habits. Leaving the corporate world was the toughest decision of my life, but has been an true benefit in reducing my MS symptoms; I haven't had any new lesions or relapses now in the 1.5 years since on LTD! Amazingly I now love to exercise again, joined a gym and workout 3-4 times a week, always checking to keep my heart rate under 140 so I don't get over-heated while using the bike, pool, elliptical and weight machines. The positive atmosphere at the gym helps motivate me to workout much longer than originally planned that day, often able to keep going up to 1.5 hrs now! Eliminating refined sugars and gluten from my food plan has also shown significant improvement in my symptoms, I highly recommend to anyone who hasn't omitted these from their daily mea
- —Guest Diane
habitual exercise
- It began with a single lap ten years ago. It's become a habit. I fear that if I don't do what I can to help my embattled body it will get worse and I won't be able to fight MS from a position of strength. The benefits of exercise are endless.
- —Guest richard
Horses!
- I have PPMS and very poor walking, balance problems etc. I get help to go horse riding twice a week - walk and trot only, but the most therapeutic two hours I can spend.
- —Guest Wendy S
Instructor
- Working with MS students for 12 years providing strength, balance, flexibility, I know for a fact that without exercise (properly performed) can be the difference in the quality of life and stamina for the MS community. I applaud you all that exercise wisely, and eating the proper foods that provide the fuel for your bodies. My MS class was filmed and shown on TV a little more than a week ago, and their mental attitude, stamina, strength and balance are much better for the exercise program that is provided. My students willingness to come every Thurs. for one hr. keeps me going and trying anything to keep their spirits up, and mind and bodies strong.
- —Guest Doris
Mirelle
- My dog gets me out of bed and moving. She needs her daily romps so I have to do some walking. Combine that with the beach and I get a bit of exercise. Trouble is, I usually need a nap afterwards. I tried using weights to do leg lifts but quickly got bored with that and would put it off until another day. Without my dog I doubt I could be bothered going for walks.
- —Guest AmberTia
s.o.
- I was diagnosed at age 29 (20 years ago), when my first child was 10 months of age. I was active before my diagnosis but when I was faced with the possibility of becoming wheelchair bound, I made the determination to step up my performance and walks with my baby became ‘daily must-dos’. As my child(ren) grew older the need for a stroller/wagon became nil and they would accompany me on their bicycles. Once they were both in school I was able to continue my daily 6.3km walk well into the winter months. Needless to say when the temperature dipped below -20C I would hole up in the house and clean. Six years ago, my husband gave me a gym membership which opened up a world of possibilities because I wasn’t impeded by the weather. I introduced myself to running, cycling, cross-training and weights and I adopted stretches into my routines which totally reversed issues I was having with balance. I have always had periodic relapses but my MS is more like background static than anything.
- —Guest Sandi
Recumbent bike
- The bike is so much easier to ride when sitting in front of the tube. Instead of sitting on the sofa, get on the bike and put your favorite show or movie on. Before you know it the time will be complete. I make sure to keep working out because it helps with the stiffness and pain in my feet. I know it is difficult, however what do we have to loose? I have been able to live in more peace when I keep fit. At least you can control this. You may not be able to control MS for now, but PT is positive. Sometimes it hurts to workout. I make myself because in the end it helps with some of the pain, loss of movement, depression and utilization of the brain. Keep working too. Read books. Take a class. Learn a new language. Keep the brain working to make up for any issues going on. Also, I get massage every week. Look into it. It will help! Help others and do not spend time focusing on the evils of MS. Mind over Matter. Stay positive. God bless you and there will be a cure for us
- —Guest Elizabeth
Recumbent bike
- Since my MS has advanced to the point where it's dangerous to stand on an elliptical, I exercise on a recumbent bike 3 days a week. It's great for my heart and mood-- and I can't fall off!
- —Guest MelindaM
retired registered nurse
- I was diagnosed with ms 27 years ago and remain very well utilising my own exercise plan and my own visualization plan. I bicycle regularly, and when I am at home bike sometimes up to 90 km a week. I never go when am feeling too fatigued. I tend to stay away from other cyclists because competitiveness tends to set me back. I bike slowly and steadily and rest regulary. If I do not feel good I do not go, and I invariably lie down and rest afterwood for half an hour or so. I visualise myself being very strong and very steady and very very healthy
- —Guest Leigh
