Stay Active If you had a tip for someone else with MS about staying active, what would it be?
Picture courtesy of Mike Birbeck, Disabled Photographer’s Society
I go to keep fit regardless of my symptoms as the group understands me. I only do as much as I want. Nothing holds me back as I’m very determined.
Gweneth, Davyhulme
Don’t give up, the endorphins released during exercise give a feel good factor better than pain killers! Be pleased with what you can do, however little it may seem.
Josephine, Kenley
Do light exercise every day if you can and build up resistances very slowly if possible. Try cycling on canal towpaths and old railway walks. It opens up a new world.
Brian, Kidderminster
Practise yoga but do not let yourself get too hot. Take 5 minutes rest at regular intervals to allow the body to cool down. Drink plenty of water.
Sara, High Wycombe
As someone with MS and an osteopath, I would recommend warm up and cool down stretches, wearing cool clothing in a well ventilated room. Exercise little and often to reduce spasm/pain but not getting too fatigued and gradually increase hand and leg strength.
Virginia, Brighton
Try and do something! Mobility declines rapidly when you are inactive and takes a lot of time and effort to get back.
Maggie, London
Keep moving. Join an MS centre where exercise is geared to the condition. Join a council gym where the instructors will give advice about the machines to suit your ability.
Mrs Fuller, Surrey
Do exercise that not only treats the body but mind and spirit too! I have had extensive experience and it works!
Anna-Marie, Brighton
Fresh air is crucial and having fun is so important. Enjoy today.
Anne, Cardiff
Go for it. Enjoy it. I can’t run any more but the horse I ride can canter so I combine a sense of achievement with exercise. I also attend a flower arranging class each week. The company alone is worth it.
Ros, Liverpool
Yoga!! Great!!
Karen, Derby
Keeping active, however limited, is very important. General fatigue has to be managed and you need to be aware when you are ‘at your best’ which may vary from day to day.
Anon
I have used karate to strengthen my legs, to improve my balance and to challenge my weak short term memory. Karate is individual - you do as much and as well as you can do. Makes no difference how well someone else does. I’m now 2nd degree black belt and hope to test for my 3rd degree in another year.
Message on Jooly’s Joint Message Board
Pace yourself but try and do as much as possible. Work in a group if you can for encouragement and commit yourself to realistic goals.
Margaret, Chesterfield
Emphasis should be put on the importance of doing regular exercises set by a neuro-physiotherapist.
Sarah, Virginia Water
Take a friend for support – moral and actual.
Carol, Chatham
Do it but normal rules (eg no pain, no gain) do not apply.
Coventry
STRETCH! Don’t be tempted to stay in the armchair. Move, move, move, however slow or wobbly you are.
Lorna, London
If heat affects you, take rests to cool down. Try swimming – it’s amazing what you can do with no weight on your legs.
Julie, Sudbury
Water is a tonic for body and mind.
Mrs Paine, Lancashire
I have just been diagnosed. I have no plans to stop my training, in fact I feel significantly better having trained.
Jo, Triathlete
I am a member of the Fitness League (see Exercise groups). Good for general fitness, balance and co-ordination. It is difficult for me but I am not the only one that struggles. I have found the encouragement of others invaluable. It’s very hard to do it alone.
Ruth, Kenilworth
Do not give in too readily and do not be embarrassed by the standard of the results. Most of all enjoy.
John, Fochabers
I find that although my motivation is high, I have to push harder to do anything that is physical. But I do. The less I do, the worse I feel. That is enough reason to do it. The most important tip is to set yourself goals. Small ones at first, then bigger ones. Do not set time limits to your goals, you have to ‘walk before you run’. Start by thinking about the activity you want to do. Attempt it one to five minutes per week or day. Then increase the length of time more regularly. Know you can do it. Try to share your efforts with people who care.
Garry, Port Talbot
Aquafit is good because it keeps the limbs going and you are able to meet people in a similar situation. You can work at your own pace.
Anon
Get assessed at an MS Therapy Centre for advice on exercise and a programme of activities.
Anon
Exercise is good. With a limited energy bank, too much exercise can leave me exhausted. It’s about getting the right balance.
Martin, Heswall
When I was first diagnosed with MS my initial reaction was to give up all of my sporting activity. However, thanks to the support of my friends, I remained connected with the local village cricket team that I had played for prior to my diagnosis. To begin with I acted as the scorer for the club and on occasions 12th man in games where players were injured. In 2001 my club went through a spell when player availability was greatly reduced and so I played for the club’s 2nd Team and realised that although I wasn’t able to perform to the same standard as I had prior to diagnosis I was still able to play. The following season I made the effort to get myself fit again. I played the whole season and have been playing ever since. I think I was fortunate that my friends in the cricket club accepted and understood my condition and encouraged me to stay involved with the club.
The best advice that I could give to anyone else is not to give up and wherever possible stay involved with sporting organisations you were involved with before you became ill. As I found out, involvement doesn’t have to be as a player but if you’ve still got the contacts and support of friends you may find that it is possible to participate in sport.
Malcolm, Nottingham
I started taking exercise for the first time in my adult life when I was diagnosed with relapsing/remitting MS (I was 25). I started swimming at first, then joined a gym. I am now a member of a freestyle karate club (18 months) and am working my way up through my grades and belts.
I have always explained my condition to my instructors and together have devised a way to enhance my programme so that it works for me. I have to be careful of getting too hot and so always choose air-conditioned or cool surroundings. Many of the exercises I perform in karate are similar to the exercises my neuro-physiotherapist prescribed to me during a course of physio early on in my diagnosis.
I know that my participation in sport has helped me significantly with my balance and co-ordination. I have managed to stay relapse free for over two and a half years now and believe sincerely that this is because I am fitter than I have ever been in my life. I enjoy exercise partly because I feel I am achieving so much.
I would recommend sport and exercise to anyone with MS as different programmes can be built that are designed to minimise the limitations of MS and ensure that symptoms are not aggravated.
Zoe, Birmingham