Franky - GREAT TO SEE YOU POSTING. I miss you!
xxxxxx

Hey! Hey! Hey! Looks as though we have definitely got off the ground with this blog. I am delighted by the enthusiasm and mutual encouragement and support. This is what we all needed, eh? The more the merrier, I am sure you will agree.

As for me, thank goodness I keep a daily symptoms diary (- you know the kind: a table with the date on the left column against coded letters for various joints of the body + a "comments" section along the top row). I have now discovered that when I was last off Enbrel earlier this year, I got a flare-up on the fourth week not, as I could have sworn from memory, that the symptoms had gone away after 3 weeks of being re-instated on it. So, this flare up I have had in the last week is similar to the timing of the previous one. So I have been fretting for nothing!!! I am now hopeful that things will settle down within the next week.

Anyway, I couldn't go walking today because my knees felt sore. So, Christine, I have joined you in spirit with swimming instead. Minimal movement of elbows and knees in backstroke and front stroke swimming, which suited me fine. Thoroughly enjoyed my 14 x 25m lengths in as many minutes only I had to stop because of some minor dizziness and nausea. Silly me had forgotten to take a snack mid-morning (I eat every 3 hours, even if it's only a fruit) and more water before exercising because I was busy sleeping this morning after breakfast So I was probably touched by a bit of dehydration.

Mandy - have a look at the 10-min exercise DVDs which are flooding supermarket outlets at present. Some of them have got great ideas for exercises with stability balls. I'm assuming you have the ok from your rheumy team. If so, I still think it's best if someone teaches you how to use it. The first time I tried to exercise on my own on a stability ball I rolled backwards and landed on my back against some gym equipment! So, do be careful, there are techniques for these things.

Rose - what you are describing about exercising by walking to the doctor's and back is great. It is called "minimal behavioural change" which is a proven technique for increasing your activity level. It's based on the idea that if you start by increasing your activity level with small steps, this will encourage you to gradually increase your fitness levels and motivate you to do more. You have probablyt heard the advice although not by that name: e.g. parking at the far end of the supermarket, climbing stairs rather than using the lift, walking to post that letter rather than taking the car, etc.

Liz - the latest key reference for the effects of high intensity resistance training in patients with RA comes from Lemmey's research team in the University of Bangor, in Wales. The reference for the study is: Lemmey AB et al. Arthritis and Rheumatism (Arthritis Care & Research), volume 61, number 12, December 15, 2009, pp 1726-1734.

My hands are better than yesterday. Hurray!

Alice

Sounds like a very sensible idea, record keeping,
thanks for research refs Alice will have a look sometime this week, glad your hands are improving,
I can't sleep hence the late post,
Feeling far too fuzzy for any exercise as such although i have done some ironing, i think that must count for something! xxXxx

Hi Alice,

Well today was back to my routine, 40 / calf muscle exercises and 40 / back and arm and chest exercises. Then 100 steps on my stepper. Then 20 on my ab cruncher and then a variety of stretches. I also bought Dance on Broadway for the wii Its amazing I did about 30 mins on that too.

Thats it for today, This is definitely working I have lost another 2 lbs, thats almost 1 stone. The exercise has toned me up so I fit some clothes I liked and couldn't get into. The best part is I didn't think I would show loss as quick. I feel really good and I hope it continues to show a positive outcome.

Good luck to all today Lorna x

I've got an ironing press Alice - good for perfect alignment! ;)

& What i thought was possibly the worst chrissy pressie ever has turned out to be one of the BEST!

.... I was quite DISGUSTED with it at first - after all - i thought my Mumma-in-law LIKED me!

lol - I just could not manage without it now!

Hope you having good rest Alice xxXxx

Ah, envy you your personal trainer at the gym:)! We need a couple of big contracts and i'll get one next year.

<holds breath>


That paper was about full on resistance training, but mentioned things like those lifts you do using a chair. I just need to get taught similar really

i had a rest day today, could feel the lovely ache of muscle building when i woke this am. turned down the egg and spoon race at sports day! but had had to take a poundingly fast extra walk, deliciously without the children, to the post office depot for a parcel. which randomly turned out to be a sharps bin from healthcare at home.

<lets breath out, damn still no personal trainer:)>

Hello All

You have inspired me to get active again. My rhuemmy nurse did tell me I could start going to the gym several weeks back but I have been too anxious to do anything serious about it until now. Well it's that and swollen ankles.

So on Monday I tried Hatha yoga for the first time. Very, very gentle form of exercise which focused more on breathing and good posture. I really enjoyed it and it left me feeling energised. I think I will do more of the same on Saturday.

Yesterday I did 20 mins of exercise with a strength band in my back garden. I thought sod the neighbours (actually they might be inspired to join me one day) and just went for it. It was lovely exercising in the evening sun. Rest day today since I think I have found muscles I forgot about a long time ago.

Keep up the good work.

Agnes x

at gym zombie Alice, yikes!

I did a lower body/cardio Wii EA trainer session yesterday. Ah boy those reverse crunches near made me weep, my stomach thinks it's for eating thank, not pulling legs up from floor while lying down.

Rest day today, much needed. Keep up the neighbourhood show Agnes! How do you feel after first go-round in a while? I'm kind of stunned to feel aches other than joints, had forgotten there is such a good thing as good aches.

xfx