Hi, everyone. I have surfaced at last. I have been waiting with eager anticipation for my NRAS pack and got it yesterday. I am so happy to greet you all. RA is no joke, eh?

I am a 52 year old doctor and have lived in this country since I was 16. Having always been a sporty person, I have had RA for over 2 years. At my worst, I was dragging my feet (literally) as I walked into work and howling in pain at night. Long live etanercept! I am now looking for an e-weight training buddy/buddies (via this forum) to share experiences of fitness training. Anyone interested?

For the record, I started doing 2 lengths of the swimming pool in the slow lane on a daily basis 3 months ago (that was the most exhausting) and very, very gradually built up to 25 lengths in the fast lane. At the same time, I started walking 5 minutes daily ( and have now moved on all my "cardio" exercise to land in order to build up my osteopaenic bones. I have built up to 30 minutes of fast hillwalking 5 times a week and planning to climb Hellvellyn in the winter as a cool down to a skiing holiday in December I have started doing weight lifting (never before!) and can lift 2-3 kg per upper body exercise: piddly, I know, but a start.

So, I know there are fitness enthusiasts out there. What I would really love is for nras to start a separate forum for "fitness and exercise" to promote this most important of treatment areas and self-management in RA.

Have a wonderful day. Pardon the long early morning ramble (no pun intended) but the dog's barking woke me up.

Welcome Alice

I think anything that helps us keep our morale up and build up our stamina would be very welcome.

Hi Alice,

Welcome to the forum everyone is helpful on here. I'm Lorna married to Ken for 28 years and have 3 lovely daughters. I have had RA for almost 3 years and have been on the triple therapy, was very ill in the beginning but keep really well now, as long as I do not overdo things.

I have exercise equipment a bench with weights etc, and an exercise bike, never sure though how much exercise to do on them. Would appreciate a bit of guidance if you do this yourself. Also have the wii fit which is used quite a lot, we have fun evenings with this which is always a good laugh.

I have different other exercise things too an ab cruncher, the exercise wheel floor mats and things to put on your feet to stretch your legs and arms. The mind has always been willing but the body weak, I can do things like this but have never really got into it the way I should have. But it is never too late so any advice to get motivated would be a great help. Thanks Lorna x

Morning Alice

Welcome to the forum, with all your news.

Exercising, and keeping moving, is extremely important, in relieving pain and helping to keep our muscles strong ( had a long explanation about this with my O.T. the other week.)

I am fortunate that I am able to have a swim each day, which I feel has helped immensely with mental and physical side of RA. I m still trying to get my meds sorted not sure if the leflunomide really agrees with me, have been on it five months, but hope eventually to do more strenuous exercises like the gym. Support and advice in that direction will inspire me I feel, never quite sure even with the swimming if I have overdone it at times, but my GP assures me it is fine.

It is good we have you here

Take care, Julia xx

Hi Alice,

I would definitely not consider myself a fitness freak but I did complete 10k run / walk for NRAS a month ago. As my lovely supportive gp said - No one said you have to run (...well apart from my daughter, Sophie who did the run with me - but hey i never listen to her when I dont like what she's saying!!!;)

Apart from letting my Sophie down on her bid to catch up with Mo Farah who set a new record that day ;) we had a really fabulous day! I'm not planning it again - it was quite tough but Sophie is well up for it again, which is great and we can now both say we have raced with one of athletics greatest champions. (Mo had actually finished when we'd hardly started but hey - we dont have to mention that bit too loudly! ;)

We got to the end and Sophie said "Well, i think i could do it again right now" I was going to say "well go on then, I'll just wait here" but didnt quite manage this - probably due to the fact I could hardly breathe! ;) I was right as rain soon after though after a free specialist massage and oodles of complimentary jelly babies!

I did see a few people in tears at the end - one guy because he had been running for a lost loved one and a lady because she had completed her own personal challenge, i could empathise - you do feel really proud of yourself once mission completed!

I do think exercise is very important to management of RA but it has to be what is right for you. If it hurts or you don't enjoy it then I think - don't do it, find something else that works for you and most importantly - something that makes you feel happy :)

We have an uphill garden with fields and a hill behind the house almost reaching the size to qualify as a mountain ( just a few inches off) and this is where we take our dogs for a walk - i dont manage this every day - my husband does - but I just go when I feel up to it, which I think is really important.
We have Jack and Jill seats at the top of the steep garden so love to sit there looking at the amazing view across Herefordshire and the Welsh mountains, enjoying a fruity pimms and lemonade :) :)

I think the health benefits of just being out in the great outdoors shouldn't be underestimated either - just being close to nature and wildlife out in the fresh air has healthy benefits for us all - both physically and emotionally.

We have collected nearly all our run sponsor monies now - just waiting for my sister's work mates contributions. We have surpassed our expectations with just over £500 raised at the moment, including gift aid but if anyone wants to add a little bit more, donations still being very gratefully received. Thank you xx

www.virginmoneygiving/SophieandLiz

I dont do any weight lifting but we used to have a home gym but got rid of it after my diagnosis - would be really interested in hearing more about your exercise regime.
Take care Alice and get plenty of rest too xxxxx

PS do you have any opinions about the power of beetroot? I think it was Exeter University carried out the research with James White drinks - proven to improve stamina - after seeing this on The One Show it became part of our 10k training regime (much to Sophie's disgust - she LOVES beetroot but now hates beetroot juice)
I am sure it helped me - A LOT!

love from Liz :)
xxxxx

Hi Alice, and welcome to the forum.

Good luck with your fitness plans!

Kathleen x

Hello Alice,

Well, I know a little bit about weight training. I've done it in one form or the other all my life. I've had RA for 24 years and probably for most of that time the medical profession have always advised me against it! I have always ignored said advice and continued to do what I thought was beneficial to me both physically and mentally! I still regularly go to the gym to do cardio work and weight training but mostly use the resistance machines as I can use the neutral grips which make it easier and more comfortable. I'd be pleased to talk " weight training and exercising" any time you want!

If you want my email, I think you have to go through NRAS now.

Glad to see you want to pump some iron!

Stewart.

Hello Alice,

Just wanted to welcome you to the forum, I'm not the person you are looking for the mind says yes but the body no. I brought a running machine 5 weeks ago, still not used it. I wish you every success.

Anne x

Really looking forward to joining in, Alice. Thanks for suggesting this.

I have made a promise to myself that I will go to the pool at least twice a week and increase gradually the lengths I can swim. You have already done something no-one else has managed to do - motivate me!!

We've also got a weekly weight loss group on the fiorum and the girls on there are really supportive - so, no more excuses
Take care

Love
Jeanx