Benefits of exercise

I have been doing Pilates for a few years JessM. I have an ongoing medical condition that makes most exercise difficult for me however I find Pilates ideal. It involves stretching and bending and everyone can work at their own level of mobility/fitness.

I also do Pilates and am actually taller than I used to be as a result. I think it must have improved my scoliosis. I do think that we all need aerobic exercise as well though and tend to make excuses at this time of year. In the summer our garden gives me plenty of aerobic work and DH too as he has to heave all the rubbish to the tip! The programme stated that you are never too old to start and emphasised that people are too concerned about overdoing it and that it is unlikely that you will do so.

I don't have much problems exercising in itself, it's the aftermath I can't cope with. I did a bit of jogging with my walk last thursday ( I know I was silly because I can;t do any impact exercise due to arthritis) and I'm still on painkillers , even a 30 minute walk can leave me in agony for days. there's no swimming pool near here and the bus fare to the nearest on plus the cost of swimming puts it out of my price bracket. I too would love to know what I'm expected to do

Five Exercises for Keeping Your Knees in Good Shape, Guardian 8 November 2015. Not too demanding, though I don't know how to engage my core!

Can't really distinguish between' housework and gardening' and 'exercise'!
They are both boring and involve a lot of lifting stretching and bending.
Have absolutely no wish to go out in inclement weather and pound the streets or join a gym which would offer the same possibilities as housework health wise but I would meet more people.
The U3A is very good

Got a bit of a cold but chivvied myself into going for my daily brisk walk. So lucky to live in a beautiful place. Little grebes diving just off shore on a nearly-high tide.
Sat in the sun for 15 mins which was a real bonus after all the rain.
Nearly back home, the really steep bit, searching my 7 pockets for door key. No door key. It's in the front door. On the outside... I blame the virus.

I think "engage your core" means "tighten up anything you can in the abdominal region" and probably your pelvic floor too, never a bad idea.

Thanks, JessM, I'll try that.

i live across the road from a swimming pool and round the corner from mountains. Our city is hilly so I get good exercise just going to the market every day! I swear by Pilates but you need a small class, no more than 6, otherwise it can do more harm than good as you won't be adequately supervised. I missed classes in December and really stiffened up. I'm not without niggles but can still get out of a low chair without using my hands. I'm not a patch on my partner though who is still walking 20km up and down mountains at 76.

May I put in a good word for gyms, good gyms. People have the idea that it is all running on treadmills but if you go to a good one you will get a programme based on your own needs.

You can strengthen any weak points, avoid doing anything which might damage you, get your heart rate up safely and work on any muscle you want to. You can be monitored and regularly have your programme updated and, if you can afford it, even have a personal trainer.

You can even join in classes which are something of a social event.

I know it is not for everyone but it is a way of working on everything which you can't get from other forms of exercise.

We haven't been for a while because life got in the way but I felt better when I did.

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I have arthritis in my knees for many years now. The wonder drug for me has always been swimming. Half an hour everyday or at least 5 times a week. Right now I'm actually quite 'depressed' cos I love walking and my knee swells up. Or fills with fluid. I can hardly walk when things are not so bad I limp to a bus stop and get to swimming and back via bus. Need to do something definitely going to ask Dr to refer me but not sure what

That sounds miserable. Well done for keeping going with the swimming. And yes I think you should talk to your doctor as that is not just stiffness and pain is it.

More on this on tonights Trust me I'm a Doctor. Demonstration of exercises for hand and knee and link to further information.

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Reported.

Well I have a little dog who insists on going for walks which in turn keeps me fit and best of all its free ! [SMILE]

Can your little dog walk fast?

I find Aqua aerobic exercise brilliant. Not only does it give you a cardio work out but all joints are cushioned by the water. I can feel exhausted before I start but the exercise releases the endorphins that perk you up. I try to do it three to four times a week for 45 minutes each session. I hate any other form of exercise but love this!

It's all well and good saying exercise is good for you but with joint pain it can be impossible

We walked about eight miles today, and very enjoyable it was too, but then we drove forty minutes to get home, at which point I was so stiff I could not get out of the car and walk to the door! If, as we quite often do, we had done a similar walk without having to use the car, I would have been fine. It's the sitting that b*****s me up!

Hi Jinglebellsfrocks yep he can go pretty fast considering he is a pug with short legs where I live it can be a little hilly but we can get up them pretty fast supposed to be good for your heart workout apparently lol ...I don't run just brisk walking is my limit .....

I bet he is a very fit little dog.

Our GP practice has self-referral for physiotherapy as well Mrsjamjam, but it involves an initial telephone assessment! I had it for an arthritic hip flare-up for which, still over the phone, she prescribed some exercises - not listening to me trying to tell her that I'd had problems with my lower back for many years and had to be careful what exercises I did. Most of the ones she sent were a problem, and in fact I got more help from YouTube!!