Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion Sporting ASKickers Am I making myself worse?

For me, that's a tricky question when is too much exercise.

If I don't get enough aerobic activity, I don't sweat enough and don't get the heart rate going, that is the key, because when I do, good things happen, the endorphins kick in, my sacrum and tailbone start feeling better, as they get warmed up with better blood flow.

This may happen even on days when they are in pain, and if I work through it, they can end up feeling much better

but then other days, I can tell after a few minutes on the elliptical trainer, that it's not going to help, I'm not going to reach that "tipping point" and it's better to stop

(really a bummer when I just downloaded a 24-hour rental movie to watch!)

Hello fitness buddy, Sue

Thanks so much for your reply I really enjoyed reading it.

You are a great ambassador for walking! The opportunity I get to walk is with my girls after school - not on my own at my own pace - I am certainly NOT complaining though - I LOVE my walks with the girls it's great fun/exercise for all of us and is my favourite part of the day.

But my class gets me out of the house, out with my friends and insures I actually do some regular exercise. However hard I try to exercise at home, I find I get swamped with household/children/daily routines.

From everyone's hugely helpful input I think I can make the class work for me if I start at snails pace - avoid anything out of my comfort zone and completely abandon any sort of exercise aids whatsoever!

I guess I did not realise my limitations until I reached them (and then some!) It's quite a shock to me to discover that I am not superwoman after all

Dow
Really appreciate you sharing how you judge how much is enough and when to carry on when you are exercising - very helpful indeed

I keep coming back to the question of:

*Should we always play it safe and wait patiently until we can easily achieve whatever exercise we are doing before, very gently taking it up a notch OR

*Can we ever push our selves like a completly fit and healthy person would do? I don't mean to the point of hurting yourself (like I just have ) I mean pushing through the pain barrier a little.

From what you have shared I can see the difference very clearly.

You are pushing yourself on to ease your pain in the long run and recognising when you are hurting because you body needs to rest not exercise.

I have been confusing the two things and had not heard my body's protests against what I have been doing until it decided to bellow it from the rooftops at me!

I think once I have let my body rest and recover I can take the slower approach and back off at any sign of trouble.

What you have said has really helped, Dow, Thanks

I am pleased to report that I went to my gym class last night and came home in one piece!

New Approach:
*I started, continued and finished, slowly at my own pace.
*I paid VERY close attention to my body and what was working and what wasn't (not parts of my body, the exercises!)
*I avoided everything that would put any strain at all on my neck, back and feet (upperbody and arm work, jogging, star jumps, leg lifts etc)

Result:
*I did feel the benefit of some cardio
*I did feel the benefit of some stretching
*I did participate in some of the toning and strengthening exercises
*But I did not push myself hard, strain myself or injure myself in any way!

I can't say enough how much I appreciate everyone's advice! Every single bit has been helpful in my new approach to the class.

As a side note, I have given my doctor a letter with a copy of my DX notes and am going to see him this week to discuss my situation with him - as I have not as yet, registered my condition in this country (don't ask!)

glad you had a successful gym visit!

Well done Tink you will be fine just remember your a delicate little flower and have to be careful.



Kevin

I don't have the answer to whether you're making the AS worse or better, but you do deserve to feel as good as you possibly can!

I've given up the machines at the gym & hiking because my body simply hurts too badly after I do these things. The only way I can exercise without feeling pain afterward is by swimming or with tai chi.

Maybe you could do hot yoga? or deep water aerobics without the ankle & arm weights?

Thanks for the encouragement, Sue!
Very much appreciated

Aaaawwwwhhhh, Kevin
You say the sweetest things!

Hey Erica

Never heard of "hot yoga" if this term refers to the instructor, then I'm in

I wish I could swim - but there is no swimming in my neck of the woods out of season, unfortunately. Thanks for giving me some ideas though, I really appreciate it, hon.

However, I think I am doing OK with my class now I have taken some advice from the experts (you guys!!) and put it into practice!

Love you guys