Deb- I’m in Ft. Myers right now and have been here a bunch. Message me and tell me what part of town. It makes a big difference if you are on Ft. Myers beach v regular Ft. Myers where we are. Traffic is awful everywhere and getting across the bridges to the beaches is horrific unless you go very early. There is decent running depending where you are, too.
Looking for some recommendation for low-impact exercises.
I likely have Lupus (waiting on specialists to confirm because it’s taken a few months to get an appointment), and have had the joint pains pretty bad lately especially in my knees and hips (and elbows but that’s less of an issue with exercising). I will be starting physical therapy in about a month (insurance issues- argh!) but in the mean time I have been putting on a considerable amount of weight due to the medications. (Yes, I will be discussing these issues with my docs but that’s not for another few weeks).
In the mean time, I’m hoping some people have some good recommendations for exercises that are low impact on the joints. I’ve always been a swimmer but due to a contagious medical issue (unrelated to the Lupus, my body just hates me lol), I have to stay out of the water for a while. I live in a cold environment and walking outside in the cold is pretty rough right now, but I do have a Planet Fitness really close to me that I could start going to when I’m feeling a bit better.
Also if anyone has any general recommendations for coping with an autoimmune disorder, I’m happy for any words of wisdom. Right now, I’m in the constantly getting poked and prodded stage but I’ve had a positive (at 320) ANA and inflammation markers continue to be really high even with medication. My biggest issues are fatigue and joint pain (and now weight gain on top of everything else).
I would recommend the elliptical unless the arm handles bother your elbows. I like the elliptical a without the arms better anyway. Walking on the treadmill is another option. When you can get back in the water, aqua jogging with a flotation belt is a good option. Sorry you have to deal with this.
What MOfWC said.
Romani, does your university have a gym? I realized that I can sign up and use the gym facilities at the U (where I am taking classes) for free with my “graduate student” card. Maybe your U provides the same benefit to its students? Sorry you have to deal with this illness.
Thank you, MOWC. Great suggestions 
BB, I do (and it’s free) but then I have an hour commute home afterwards. With the fatigue issues, I think I’d rather go to the one close to home just to be safe rather than driving while tired on the freeway.
I’m just really happy to start getting answers and treatment. I’ve been so sick for so long that the diagnosis is unfortunate but welcomed
Hi Romani. Have you tried yoga? It is wonderful for flexibility as well as strength building. One of the best things about yoga is that it is your own practice and you do what you can. No competition, no judgement.
Romani, I was thinking that maybe you can consider lunchtime exercise. Abasket does it regularly at her place of work (a U, as I gather), and my kid did it too when she was interning in Geneva (they had a free Crossfit class offered at her campus, and she just stayed a little late every day she took the class). I think that after the long work day and your commute, you will be less inclined to go to the gym. Just a thought. Hugs.
We have been assimilated! Mr. is charging his Fitbit Charge HR that we just acquired at Costco. 
In other news, we just supported a bunch of local businesses. Mr. took a shortcut while coming home from Costco… saw the “wine tasting” signs, and we had to turn around… you know how the story ends.
Romani, nice to see you here!
Everyone here has given good advice (as usual!). I’ll just add, start slow, set reasonable goals (15 minutes of something 4 days a week - or whatever you decide). Look at your week ahead of time - or your day first thing in the morning - and determine when that 15 mins or whenever is going to happen - then make it happen! If you wait till it’s the “right” time, it won’t come.
Two other tips -
- Do you have Amazon Prime or Netflix? Look on their for exercise videos - I have prime and this winter have found a variety of videos to supplement the gym or running - basic yoga, simple weight or core exercises - all kinds of things!
- Dress the part. You don’t have to get fancy but take two minutes before you exercise to put on something comfortable but appropriate for exercising. I see people at work going to the fitness center but they really look like they are going to paint the basement - awful and not very mentally motivating!!!
Hope with a diagnosis you will feel like you can move forward and make the accomodations you need to for your health. Sounds like you are!!!
Busy, active day. Two pup walks, hours of painting trim in one of our bedrooms that was designed to be like a sleeping porch when our home was built in 1925 - so, 5 windows + built ins, thick molding,etc. Took a break in the middle of the afternoon - it was 52 outside! - and did a abasket 5k. I think I’ll sleep good tonight!
So Fitbit sent out 2015 year end totals today. I had my Fitbit about 100 days in 2015 - I logged 835 miles on it - so, an average of 8.35 miles a day. When the weather is good, I do spend a lot of time outside gardening, cutting grass etc. in addition to just daily walking and my runs - so I know that Sept/Oct I logged lots of steps. Will have to compare when I have a whole year in!!!
BB- oh ok I see what you’re saying now. Actually, one of my friends in another PhD program (public health, ha!) has been bugging me to do some lunch time exercising with her on campus. She stopped pushing when I got sick (which I’ve been pretty much since before Thanksgiving) but maybe I can get her to start bugging me again.
@FallGirl no I haven’t! Never even thought of it to be honest. Do you recommend trying to get involved in some type of class or just doing it to youtube (etc) videos?
@abasket great suggestions. I used to be a year-round athlete so the whole trying thing in small increments thing is tough (but absolutely necessary!). I think I get frustrated a bit because I know how much and how hard I used to be able to work out and coming to terms with the new limitations is something that I think will take a while.
Also- duly noted on the exercise clothes (though unfortunately I don’t think I’m able to fit into much of my exercise clothes now… 
)
Another AlterG day. 1 hour 2o minutes.
I logged 1082 miles since August 9 on the Fitbit. I also want to see what a year looks like. I had a lot of steps yesterday (over 30000) since I had the al it’s 7 mile run and we walked all day around Key West.
January has been a high mileage running month for me since there were 5 weekends.
Romani- I definitely recommend going to yoga classes especially at first. The teachers are very helpful in showing you how to do the poses correctly. In addition,I recommend that with you mention any health issues to your instructor.
Thanks, FG. I know my uni offers some yoga classes for free for students and faculty so I’ll look into that.
Very busy few days for me. I ran for 6.3 yesterday outside, and did a walk/jog/run sequence on the treadmill today. followed up by some weight work, planks, etc. Now off to get some rest before an early morning hike.
@romanigypsyeyes, here are some articles you might find of benefit in trying to structure an exercise program.
http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=79116
Http://www.lupus.org/resources/qa-with-dr.-betsy-blazek-oneill-exercise-and-lupus
http://www.everydayhealth.com/lupus/lupus-benefits-of-exercise.aspx
As a general matter, I would recommend indoor cycling for cardio work because it is low impact and easy on the joints. For resistance training, I would suggest body weight suspension training like TRX since it is based on functional movement, you can easily adjust the resistance level mid exercise and it can be used virtually anywhere - including at home if you don’t feel like going to the gym.
@romanigypsyeyes, in follow up of my last post, I found a very informative manual on osteoarthritis and exercise. While Lupus is a different pathway to the joint inflammation you experience, I would ask your doctor whether an exercise prescription for you would be similar to what he would recommend for an OA patient. If he says yes, then the manual I’ve linked to is a treasure trove of information. About 2/3 of the way through, it focuses on a broad variety of specific exercise modalities and provides specific guidelines for engaging in them. While this manual is written for fitness professionals working in conjunction with health care providers, it’s very readable.
http://www.acefitness.org/continuingeducation/courses/support_items/OLC-TCO-10/Session2.pdf
Good idea on the indoor cycling. You could work up to spin class, which is a great workout.
Long sleeves for this morning’s Florida run, but it was pretty and flat. 7 miles done! 40 mile week and 166 mile month, which is really high for me. The 5 weekends let that happen!