EXERCISE

[rocker]

Hubby and I did a 12-mile bike ride on a nature trail on Saturday, about five hours after he got out of dialysis.  The ride was over an hour.  I was a little panicked, but he had no problems at all.

We are quite lucky right now.

[okarol]

From the National Kidney Foundation

Staying Fit With Kidney Disease

Physical fitness is very important in today's world. Everyone is enjoying the benefits of greater strength and feeling better. Exercise keeps your body strong and healthy.

Can I take part in vigorous physical activity?

Yes. In the past, it was thought that people with kidney disease would not be able to join in vigorous activity. We know now that patients who decide to follow an exercise program are stronger and have more energy.
How does exercise benefit me?

With exercise, it becomes easier to get around, do your necessary tasks and still have some energy left over for other activities you enjoy.

In addition to increased energy, other benefits from exercise may include:

    * improved muscle physical functioning
    * better blood pressure control
    * improved muscle strength
    * lowered level of blood fats (cholesterol and triglycerides)
    * better sleep
    * better control of body weight.

Do I need to see my doctor before starting exercise?

Yes. Before beginning any exercise program, be sure to check with your doctor.

When planning a directed exercise program, you need to look at four things:

    * type of exercise
    * length of time you spend exercising
    * how often you exercise
    * how hard you work while exercising.

Here are some tips on each:
Type of Exercise

Choose continuous activity such as walking, swimming, bicycling (indoors or out), skiing, aerobic dancing or any other activities in which you need to move large muscle groups continuously.

Low-level strengthening exercises may also be beneficial as part of your program. Design your program to use low weights and high repetitions, and avoid heavy lifting.
How Long to Exercise

Work toward 30 minutes a session. You should build up gradually to this level.

There is nothing magical about 30 minutes. If you feel like walking 45 to 60 minutes, go ahead. Just be sure to follow the advice listed under "When should I stop exercising?" in this brochure.
How Often to Exercise

Exercise at least three days a week. These should be non-consecutive days, for example, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Three days a week is the minimum requirement to achieve the benefits of your exercise.

How Hard to Work While Exercising

This is the most difficult to talk about without knowing your own exercise capacity. Usually, the following ideas are helpful:

    * Your breathing should not be so hard that you cannot talk with someone exercising with you. (Try to get an exercise partner such as a family member or a friend.)
    * You should feel completely normal within one hour after exercising. (If not, slow down next time.) You should not feel so much muscle soreness that it keeps you from exercising the next session.
    * The intensity should be a "comfortable push" level.
    * Start out slowly each session to warm up, then pick up your pace, then slow down again when you are about to finish.

The most important thing is to start slowly and progress gradually, allowing your body to adapt to the increased levels of activity.
When should I exercise?

Try to schedule your exercise into your normal day. Here are some ideas about when to exercise:

    * Wait one hour after a large meal.
    * Avoid the very hot times of the day.
    * Morning or evening seems to be the best time for exercising.
    * Do not exercise less than an hour before bedtime.

When should I stop exercising?

    * If you feel very tired
    * If you are short of breath
    * If you feel chest pain
    * If you feel irregular or rapid heart beats
    * If you feel sick to your stomach
    * If you get leg cramps
    * If you feel dizzy or light-headed.

Are there any times when I should not exercise?

Yes. You should not exercise without talking with your doctor if any of the following occurs:

    * you have a fever.
    * you have changed your dialysis schedule.
    * you have changed your medicine schedule.
    * your physical condition has changed.
    * you have eaten too much.
    * the weather is very hot and humid, unless you exercise in an air-conditioned place.
    * you have joint or bone problems that become worse with exercise.

If you stop exercising for any of these reasons, speak to your doctor before beginning again.

Date Reviewed: January 2009

http://www.kidney.org/atoz/atozItem.cfm?id=112

[kitkatz]

And like today if you cannot breathe do not exercise.  My sinuses are full.

[jbeany]

Got my mile in today, in spite of the fistulagram, but with the Versed still in my system, I didn't push, just strolled along at a putzy 2 miles an hour.  I'll run again tomorrow when the world isn't quite so fuzzy!

[Zach]

From the National Kidney Foundation

Staying Fit With Kidney Disease

http://www.kidney.org/atoz/atozItem.cfm?id=112

 

[LightLizard]

for quick stress relief...

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2006-4/1173735/2min.gif

 

[kitkatz]

for quick stress relief...

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2006-4/1173735/2min.gif

 

I couldn't help but think through the entire demonstration it should end with "Now go choke someone!"

[LightLizard]

for quick stress relief...

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2006-4/1173735/2min.gif

 

I couldn't help but think through the entire demonstration it should end with "Now go choke someone!"

then perhaps you should be asking yourself, 'do i feel like this because my blood pressure is so high?'
or, 'is my blood pressure so high because i feel like this?'

 

[kitkatz]

I have not felt good all week so taking the week off of exercising.  SHoulder hurts and the sinus stuff is finally gong away.

[jbeany]

Quick, someone give me some ambition - I've missed my mile on the treadmill twice this week.  Or maybe it's not ambition - it's just time I'm lacking.  I'd have to be at home to actually use it.  Arrrgh!  I don't want to undo all my hard work.  I did pace around the store a lot while I was working.  It was slow.  It's 25 steps around the center displays.  2000 steps in a mile. . . hmmmm.  I didn't go 80 times around it though!

[Zach]

I'm up to 19 different exercises, most with relatively low weights, 90 minutes per session, 3 x per week.
And when I'm finished I have an ice cold protein shake.



  1--Leg Extensions
  2--Leg Curls
  3--Machine Butterflys
  4--Seated Rear Lateral Raise
  5--Wide Grip Pulldowns
  6--Seated Cable Rows
  7--Machine Incline Bench Press
  8--Machine Military Press
  9--Hip Adductors
10--Hip Abductors
11--Single Arm Dumbbell Rows
12--Dumbbell Concentration Curls
13--Tricep Pushdowns
14--Dumbbell Lateral Raises
15--Alternate Arm Front Dumbbell Raises
16--Straight Arm Pulldowns
17--Two Arm Dumbbell Upright Rows
18--Dumbbell Shrugs
19--Lower Back Hyperextensions

[dwcrawford]

braggart,,,,

[Zach]

braggart,,,,

[monrein]

braggart,,,,

Hmmm...and all those weights have toned that bright yellow butt of yours too Zach...win/win all around.  LOL.   

[Maker]

You go Zach!!  I'm jealous...since I got my permacath no lifting for me.  The stupid thing still is swollen and hurts more than a month after I had it put in, so Doc says stay away from the weights.  My muscles are deteriorating 

I am an exercise addict...first thing I do every morning is put on my running shoes and head out.  I don't do as much as I used to, but if I can spend 30-45 minutes jogging and/or walking and getting some fresh air most mornings, I feel great all day! 

Zach, do you have a fistula?  Or could anyone else out there tell me, does the fistula cause any problems with lifting, and how soon can I lift with that arm?  I have my fistula surgery scheduled for Monday 

[Hanify]

I am exhausted just reading these threads.  Good Lord I can hardly walk to my letterbox ha ha.

[jennyc]

I still have a strange problem though.  My body likes to place the fluid it gains in certain parts of my body.  So three days a week, I usually wear long shirts or sweatshirts and have to unbutton the top bottom of my jeans because all the fluid goes to my waist!  I believe this is from my past immunosuppressive use from my transplants, because when I was on does of Prednisone, all the fat in my body would go to my face and abdomen.  It still continues like this, even though I'm off the meds and on Dialysis.  Strange!

I implore everyone to use exercise to fight Dialysis.  Even if it's just walking the dog or around the block, it all helps defeat the rigors of Dialysis.

Good luck.

Stacy Without an E
http://stacywithoutane.blogspot.com

When we gain wieght the number of fat cells multiplies, when we loose weight those cells shrink but do not go away. So say in one small area you had 1mil fat cells, you gain wieght and in that same area you now have 2mil fat cells. When you loose that weight you don't go back to having 1mil cells in the same small area you keep 2mil smaller cells in that same space. That is why it can be so hard to keep weight off (because those awful cells are just waiting to fill up again) and i'd say that's why you retain fluid in those spots.

[jennyc]

Oh i forgot to mention, I don't exercise now becuase i'm too tired but before i used to exercise at night becuase i find the heat and the sun really hard to handle. I rode a push bike when i could or walked the dog

[Des]

I use the treadmill every morning for 10 min. YEAH! for me this is huge.

I will increase it in the future.

[dwcrawford]

Zach, Did you reallly flash me your butt?  Really  now?  Well, OK if you have it all nice and toned I guess....

HEHE  (that'll teach you)

[Zach]

Zach, Did you reallly flash me your butt?  Really  now?  Well, OK if you have it all nice and toned I guess....

HEHE  (that'll teach you)

It's time to "Pump You Up!"       

[boswife]

you guys are funny     AND.......I've read a lot of posts but not all and I'm wondering if anyone has said wheather its good to exercise before dialysis or not.. Reason being, it seemed that the nurse at 'D' said that morning dialysis is good because the blood has not puddled in the feet due to laying down at night and that made it easier to pull the fluids.  Now, if your circulating the fluids, that seems even better... hum... May raise the blood pressure or put too much pressure on your heart???  Any answers that could clear this for me???

[Zach]

you guys are funny     AND.......I've read a lot of posts but not all and I'm wondering if anyone has said wheather its good to exercise before dialysis or not.. Reason being, it seemed that the nurse at 'D' said that morning dialysis is good because the blood has not puddled in the feet due to laying down at night and that made it easier to pull the fluids.  Now, if your circulating the fluids, that seems even better... hum... May raise the blood pressure or put too much pressure on your heart???  Any answers that could clear this for me???

It all depends if you gain a lot of fluid between treatments.
I do sometimes workout before going to dialysis.

[dwcrawford]

Gonna Pump up What big guy?

[MissyKew]

Gonna start conditioning therapy at a physical therapy center that has a pool.  I am hoping to increase my stamina etc. and get going.  Gotta lose that weight to qualify for "the list".....