Firm

[lulu5]

I have a question for anyone out there who can still exercise!! Before the onset of my IC two months ago, I loved working out; I have never been an athletic girl-no running, tennis, etc., but the one thing I could do was lift weights and do high impact aerobics. I know that high impact is out, but I was wondering if any of you still lift weights? I always did The Firm series of tapes-I must have 40 or so and it is the only thing that truly reshaped my body-Every time I walk past my weights and tapes, I get teary-okay I admit almost everything makes me teary right now :rolleyes: ,but I was wondering if anyone still could do interval aerobics with free-weights. I am also wondering about ab work; a lot on the tape is ab work and even Kegel exercises. I want to try to do it, but I have been pretty flare free for almost 8 days (this is a record for me!!) and I don't want to do anything stupid....I would appreciate any advice you might have. I've read Yoga and Tai Chi were good options, but I've tried yoga and I don't have the flexibility (or patience) to keep with it-:mad: grrrrr!

[holles]

i don't know about the firm tape. but you mentioned yoga and tai chi. i do yoga and martial arts. i'm not at all limber either. but you don't need to be. gradually, you'll be able to stretch more. the exercise i do has been great. when i'm having a flare, i get about 3 hours relief during and after my workout. i always start with 20 minutes yoga then 40 minutes of hard workout. do this about 4 days a week. i don't do a lot of ab exercises (just sit ups). i just try to eat right. that usually takes care of the poochy gut.

tai chi is really good too. but don't worry about not being flexible for yoga. if you're doing it at your own pace and ability level, you'll be fine. heck, i've been doing this stuff for years and i still can't touch my toes without bending my knees. i've come a long way, but i don't think i'll ever get that far. :rolleyes:

good luck.

[holles]

btw, wanted to add that i do lift weights. just not much. i don't have much upper body strength. when i do lift weights, i have my husband there to spot me because i'll probably end up smacking myself in the head with a bar or something.

[lulu5]

Thanks for your reply Holly- do you workout at home or at the gym? Do you know of any good tapes I could use? I am willing to give yoga a try again-anything to feel like I am doing something active again as much for my emotional well being as my physical :)
Mindy

[jala]

When IC hits hard, I can't do the high impact either. I thought yoga would be boring after the fun of aerobics, but I find yoga to be really good. I was surprised to feel so relaxed afterwards. I didn't think it would actually work on me, but it did. I highly recommend it.

I have the Denise Austin Yoga tape. It is ok, but the class at the gym is better and more sociable. Jala.

[Just]

I teach water aerobics, kickboxing,muscle tone and personal training. When I'm doing the classes I don't feel pain. I like to do pilates and balance drills. It taps into the core so it's a full body exercise. I found that the exercise that involves concentrating on breathe are soothing. I used to have a problem whenever I did ab exercises,but lately I haven't experienced the pain like before. I'm just trying to strengthen as much as I can (preventive maintenance) so no new problems arise. I wish u well and I hope u find something that works for u.


Justine