Exercise. To do? or not to do?

[Starscream613]

Hey guys! Haven't exercised in a while, but really enjoy exercise. As we all know exercising is very important in the managing of stress levels and keeping the Crohn's at bay! However I am just getting over the residual effects of a mild flare. I still have slight pain in my Terminal Ileum (no where near debilitating). So, I would like to exercise but I have never attempted such feats during a flare. I hope to receive some feedback as to if this is a good idea (possibly helping to calm the flare up) or if this is a bad idea (possibly making things worse). I really would not like my Crohn's to go AFI (A Fire Inside) status again!

Thanks!
Cameron

 

[AlliRuns]

I'm a runner and right am running daily, but a few months ago I was in almost constant pain, I couldn't run, it was too harsh, but I was okay with exercise that was less impact like cycling. On the days when I wasn't eating much I only worked out a little, enough for a morale boost, but not enough deplete my energy.

 

[Jim (POPS)]

I would think it would be ok. If it don't hurt and you like it , do it, I say. Let your body tell you if it is ok. RIGHT after my first surgery I worked out and my wound hurt a small amount but it was god for me.
I think you will be just fine, but if you think you should talk to your Dr. do that.

 

[xX_LittleMissValentine_Xx]

Yeah go for it! Start off taking it easy and if you feel like you can step it up then go for it
You might even forget about the pain once you get going!

 

[UnXmas]

Maybe start with just going for walks, whatever distance and speed you can manage and build up? I love walking my dog in countryside where no one else is around, it's great for relieving stress.

I can't do strenuous exercise because I desperately need to gain weight and don't want to burn any off, but walking means I get out and move without using too much energy.

Some years back I was a healthy weight and used to go running, but after I had abdominal surgery, the impact when your feet hit the ground when running caused my stomach to hurt for some months after the operation. So be careful if you try any excercise involving impact as it may cause your pain to worsen. The same would probably apply for any exercise involving using your stomach muscles (sit ups, etc.).

I would think it would be ok to try exercising if you feel up to it. You can always stop again if you feel like you're getting worse.

 

[Cat-a-Tonic]

I agree with the others - go for it! Take it slowly at first, if something hurts then don't do that, listen to your body. Exercise has done me a world of good. I would start small, with something like yoga or walking. Gradually you can ramp up the intensity & frequency of your workouts and try other types of exercise as you learn what your body can and can't do. Good luck & have fun!

 

[Zoeymax123]

I had the same question I love to workout so I'm going to return by walking and taking it easy right now flaring up some. Good days and bad but take it easy thiugh

 

[amrycrohns]

I lift all the time even during flares, it seems to help me a lot to get my mind off of the crap. I agree with Allirun that if you are flaring and not eating as much as normal you need to cut it back. If I have pain I tend to avoid exercise's that cause a lot of abdomnal pressure, Deadlift, Squat, Cleans and such.

I generally run 3 times a week, but during flares and immediately following flares when I have abdominal soreness, running cause's me pain so I usually just walk a few miles.

 

[Starscream613]

Ya, I am not much of a walker myself. I have always been a distance runner and a swimmer. But, it is true, I really should just take it easy and see how it goes. Anyone else enjoy swimming for exercise?

 

[normawood]

I enjoy swimming and find it usually is less stressful and more relaxing than running. Everything hurts less when I swim than when I run.

 

[CLobster2142]

Hi Starscream,
I exercise regularly about 3-4 days a week, weights and cardio. I exercised my way through a god awful flare about year and a half ago. I didn't know I had Crohn's at the time, and it was tough to work out in my usual pattern from the fatigue and well... the nasty stuff. When things got even worse and I was hospitalized, I took a few months to recover.

When I was ready, I went back to the gym in my usual regimen. It was hard... really hard especilly after experiencing a massive weight loss (fat and muscle). But, I've kept at it for a year now, and I stay dedicated because it helps me soooo much.

Per your question, during the last year I've had small flares here and there because we're still trying to find effective meds for me. But, I've kept exercising through the flares despite the fatigue, pain, and discomfort. Some days I feel like a shell of a person walking in there and I just want to go to sleep. But I do it and I always feel great afterward.

I may not be able to lift my normal max or do my normal high level for cardio, but I try my best and I never regret it. It has been so essential to helping me manage my Crohn's. Hope this helps.

 

[Jam300]

It may sound silly, but a very light resistance workout like a Powerball might be a good idea. In the summer when I wasn't very well, I used to walk round the block a few times giving mine a twirl, and would always feel better for it as there's no impact. Just for the record, I don't work for them, i'm just a big advocate

www.powerballs.com/

 

[Starscream613]

Hey CLobster2142, thanks! It's good to hear that it is humanly possible to work through the flares haha. I'm feeling a lot more confident about it now.

Jordan, I don't think that's silly at all! Exercise is exercise in my mind, thanks for the link! I will definitely look into that.

To kind of add onto this topic, I notice when I do work out (lifting weights especially) with my friends and what not. I notice that my body does not recover from the workouts nearly as quickly as my healthier friends. I figure it's just part of having Crohn's, you know? the whole lack of nutrician thing. Is there anything I can do about workout recovery with Crohn's? It's just frustrating, because I would like to go back to the gym with my friends 2 days later like they do. However, many times my muscles kind of just say to me, "We would much appreciate Cameron if you didn't do that. There is still muscle fiber damage being repaired here."

Thanks!

 

[kel]

If your body does not recover eat more. It's a very simple connection. If you cannot eat more due to bad appetite or large meals causing you problems etc I apologize but that's the way it goes. I think swimming is a terrific way to get some physical activity that is not too straining to the midsection. Don't go overboard and burn off all your calories you're working hard enough to get them as it is.

Also would like to add working out while sore is not bad (up to a certain point) and is a daily reality for most athletes.

 

[Zoeymax123]

True I agree with you.

 

[amrycrohns]

Food and Rest are intial things you need to look at for recovery. Are you eating enough calories and micro nutrients to recover. Do you get 8 hours of good sleep each night. Lastly I would talk to your GI or regualr doctor about supplements, are Protein shakes, Creatine, Amino Acids and other stuff ok with your disease? I tend to do very well on supplements, even better then when not taking them.
Also your Dr. can do some simple blood tests to make sure all you Vits and minerals are at proper levels if they are not.
Also if you are newer to working out or just getting back, remember the intial recovery times increased and soreness levels will be increased. Example would be I didn't squat for almost 1 year first time back I went at it to hard and took 9 days to recover fully, and 5 of them days were awful. Now I am on 5 day rotation for all muscle groups again.