What do you recommend for beginning exercises?

[mydimples6]

I want to start exercising, and am not sure what would be good to start with. Physical therapy has helped so much that I am really encouraged to start a daily regimine.

I am a bit hesitant though, as I am feeling so much better since I am not doing the heavy lifting and do not have the physical demands that my old job required. So, I would like to start out light.

I am considering the balance ball, or maybe some yoga...not exactly sure. I would appreciate some advise, or some input on what has worked for any of you. I would be great to have some input before I just run out and by some exercise program that is to hard on me.

Thanks in advance.

Lisa :smile tee

[kadi]

Walking is the best! After that, yoga. I do videos at home sometimes. You can get yoga videos very inexpensively through amazon.com It's a good idea to scroll down & read the comments other customers have left about the videos. Better yet, if you have netflix or another place to rent videos, rent the videos that sound good & try them out that way first.

[mydimples6]

Thank you Kadi, I will check out amazon. What a great idea, I hadn't even thought of that. I do quite a bit of walking at work, but probably not enough. And, when I start my new position, I will not be walking much at all.

Thanks again,

Lisa:smile tee

[humpieumpumkin]

Since your new, I would second walking. Pedometers are fun and cheap. They show you steps walked, calories burned and other fun extras. Its great becuase once you get a baseline for how much you walk on average, try adding one hundred steps a day. Seeing your progress will keep you motivated!

Erika

[ICNDonna]

I agree. Walking is a low impact exercise that burns calories, yet doesn't put extra strain on the abdomen.

Donna

[journalibra]

I am also new to IC and wanting to exercise more. However, walking for me alot sometimes flares me. Any other types of exercise? Would you suggest taking a yoga class to learn yoga first or just rent/buy yoga videos to do yoga?

[tacy99]

I began yoga a year ago. I used to be the biking, weight lifting, running, power walking kind of exerciser. Then I couldn't do any of that! I thought yoga would be a joke when my PT suggested that.

Not only is it not whimpy (you actually can break a sweat) but the breathing techniques and mental focus are great for pain control any time of the day. I have to be really careful if the class is heavy on twisting moves as that totally sets off my PFD. My instructor has lovingly reminded me over and over to listen to "my" body and do what it needs. I don't have to do exactly what is being demonstrated.

I would suggest taking a beginners class so you can ask questions and learn the basic poses. Have fun!

[July]

Tai chi is also good. It is composed of a series of slow steady movements.