Lifestyle Changes: What's Helped You?
What lifestyle changes have helped you cope with your AS? What changes haven't helped at all? Share the good and the bad below.
I find I’m in the middle. While my jaw drops open at reading about people walking 5ks, I also am not the person in bed for 3 days. I never had a backup plan for conceding to AS so I just went to work; a physically and mentally stressful job with long hours standing on concrete. Now I’m retired and I can’t imagine how I did what I did. What’s helped me is learning to say no. I’ve lost most of my friends, upset family. But when my body says you’re on the couch with the heating pad and pain meds, that’s what I do. I’m 65 and the osteo is joining the AS. I’ll still try; am looking into water aerobics that has just come to my small town. Because I want to be here for the good times, not just the bad times. To sum it up, my drive to get things done and the contradicting learning when to stay home both help me.
I have had manageable arthritis for decades, but the 2nd bout of COVID gave me a heart condition and AS, screaming arthritis, and some days, I can't make it out of bed. I will push after seeing the above results. Thanks.
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Oh man, I'm saddened to hear how this second round of COVID has affected you.
Please know I'm keeping you in my thoughts for better days ahead.
Many hugs, Doreen (Team Member)
This is exactly my situation. COVID messed with me incredibly. I went from doing water aerobics three times a week too being confined to the house for almost 3 years. It has taken 2 years to be able to walk a quarter of a mile again without pain. I was crippled by right hip issues and walking with a cane for over a year. I got back into an arthritis pool (warm water) for 8 months and graduated to twice a week at a gym pool water aerobics class.
I am now working with resistance bands and lightweights at home targeting specific areas of my body.
Better little by little.
I have learned that rest instead of going to class when I really feel fatigued is actually more beneficial to me at times than the class. That's been a very difficult thing to accept and implement.
I support this strategy you are using - getting back to moving is paramount. I'm sorry you were struck down with COVID-19. Viruses have a way of making our chronic illness even more debilitating. So glad you haven't given up and continue to work toward being mobile again. Water exercises and resistance bands are some ways to strengthen our already weakened bodies. I am in this little-by-little phase. Finding it harder to come back after this surgery. Lost my energy and am feeling very weak. I rest, then when able, I move and the cycle continues. Hoping I get stronger each day. I've started walking again, and boy did I feel horrible the first week. But continue it and the malaise and pain have eased. Now if only I could get back to some yoga. Wishing you the best of health. Rebecca (team member)
Hi
!
The biggest lifestyle change that I have made is exercise. There was a lot of trial and error when it comes to exercise. On different days I can exercise in different ways.
There were days that I pushed myself too much and ended up in a big flare.
I have now learned how to listen to my body while exercising.
I walk daily which loosens my body, some days 5K, some days 1K.
I find Pilates to be the best exercise I have tried.
Currently, I am trying to learn how to exercise with weights. I haven't quite got there yet but I am taking it slow and steady.
All the best,
Ali (Community Member)
