For Everyone

From Mayo Clinic:

Weight training can help you tone your muscles, improve your appearance and fight age-related muscle loss. And it doesn't take as long as you might think.
Your friends enjoy using the weight machines and free weights at the fitness center. And you see the results of their hard work — toned muscles and an overall improved physique. You'd like to start a weight training program, but you're not sure you have the time. Think again! Weight training might not be as time-consuming as you think.

Build muscle with only one set of repetitions
Weight training is a type of strength training that uses weights for resistance. Weight training challenges your muscles by forcing them to adapt to the stress of the weights. Theories on the best way to approach weight training abound, including countless repetitions and hours at the gym. But research shows that a single set of 12 repetitions with the proper weight can build muscle just as efficiently as can three sets of the same exercise.
"Use a weight heavy enough to tire your muscles after 12 repetitions," says Edward Laskowski, M.D., a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn., and co-director of the Mayo Clinic Sports Medicine Center. "At the proper weight, you should be just barely able to finish the 12th repetition."

In just 20 to 30 minutes, you can do a complete series of weight training exercises for your arms, shoulders, abdomen, chest, back and legs.

Start slowly
If you're a beginner, you may find that you're able to lift only a few pounds. That's OK. Once your muscles, tendons and ligaments get used to weight training exercises, you may be surprised at how quickly you progress. Once you can easily do 12 repetitions with a particular weight, increase the weight by up to 10 percent at a time.

Take time to rest
To give your muscles time to recover, rest one full day between exercising each specific muscle group. Many people choose to work the major muscle groups at a single session two or three times a week. If you'd rather lift weights every day, plan daily sessions for specific muscle groups. For example, on Monday work your arms and shoulders, on Tuesday work your legs, and so on.

For most people, short sessions just two or three times a week are more practical than extended daily workouts. "You don't have to be in the weight room for 90 minutes a day to see results," Dr. Laskowski says. "You can be there 20 to 30 minutes two to three times a week and see significant improvement."

Reap the rewards
Lean muscle mass naturally decreases with age. If you don't do anything to replace the muscle loss, it'll be replaced with fat. But weight training can help you reverse the trend — at any age. Studies show that weight training and other types of strength training can improve quality of life and the ability to complete daily tasks for adults even in their 80s and 90s.

As your muscle mass increases, you'll be able to work harder and longer before you get tired. You'll maintain joint flexibility, increase bone density and better manage your weight. You may even improve your mental health and reduce the risk of depression — all heavy reasons to include weight training in your fitness program.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/weight-training/HQ01627

Thanks For the info George... that keeps me motivted.

Since the process by which muscles are built up involves tearing them down and restructuring them, this generates a HUGE amount of creatinine, so dialysis patients have to be careful. Also, the body's creatinine baselline level tends to be a function of the amount of muscle mass, so again, renal patients may just increase their toxic blood levels by having more muscles. Interestingly, during the first year of dialysis many patients are pleased to see their creatinine levels gradually but steadily coming down, week by week, but this is not because they are getting any healthier, but rather, just because they are losing muscle mass so the creatinine comes down naturally.

Also please NOTE .. For PD patients ..lifting weights in NOT advised !!

Thanks George! I'm actually planning on buying myself some small weights now so I can do this at home.

Thank you, George.

Exercise for the person on dialysis is important, especially if you're training for an eventual kidney transplant.

Quote from: Zach on November 11, 2007, 01:54:52 PM

Thank you, George.

Exercise for the person on dialysis is important, especially if you're training for an eventual kidney transplant.

Why is it important if you're getting a transplant? Sorry, I'm still new to the whole getting a transplant thing!

Why are we pd patients NOT to lift weights? Is there a specific reason not to?

Quote from: paddbear0000 on November 11, 2007, 02:07:53 PM

Quote from: Zach on November 11, 2007, 01:54:52 PM
Thank you, George.

Exercise for the person on dialysis is important, especially if you're training for an eventual kidney transplant.

Why is it important if you're getting a transplant? Sorry, I'm still new to the whole getting a transplant thing!

To be in the best of shape/health possible for it. You heal faster and get back to the norm faster and so on and so forth. He may have another reason, which I wanna know too if he does, but these are some reasons as well.

I was told in the orientation class for PD that you couldn't life anything over 15 pounds--similar to after surgery. Could that be why? Susie? Ken? Either of you know?

Don't know, but maybe every PD patient gets told differently.. for myself, I could do weight lifting. I am sure your not supposed to go lift 200lb weights, but, low reistance shouldn't hurt.

Quote from: MyssAnne on November 11, 2007, 03:14:45 PM

Why are we pd patients NOT to lift weights? Is there a specific reason not to?

We can get a hernia easier than people on hemo

From the American Association for Kidney Patients:

The Importance of Exercise
http://www.aakp.org/aakp-library/importance-of-exercise/index.cfm

As a Dialysis Patient, How Can I Get in Better Shape?
http://www.aakp.org/aakp-library/can-I-get-in-better-shape/

From MSNBC:
Any kind of exercise helps diabetics
Doctors should prescribe workouts to every patient, researchers say
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20829884/

And of course, there's Shad:
http://www.aakp.org/aakp-library/Against-the-Odds/index.cfm

As soon as my incision heals I plan on hitting the gym. I'll be doing light to moderate cardiac, as well as light/moderate weight training. I need to get in shape for possible transplant! Especially my tummy area!

Thanks for the info!

I was told PD patients SHOULDNT lift more than approx 2 kilos !!! It could cause a rupture. I have lifted more than that myself , but please be sensible and dont overdo things. I suppose stress on your arms and legs is ok , just watch the stomach area!

oh. well, that makes sense, then, thanks Nina and KS! I appreciate all the info people have posted, it's good to know, and shows you, there's always something to learn!!

My PD nurse told me I may lift the boxes of fluid (approx 20 pounds) occasionally, but on a daily basis I should not lift more than 5-10 pounds (about a gallon of milk) at a time. It means I have to depend on my husband to bring the fluid upstairs to the cycler for me, but a hernia can mean the end of PD, and going on hemo!

Just did my 40 minutes on the stationary bike.
Take that ... candy corn!!

I do a lot of walking to keep my heart healthy. I'll have my treadmill this Friday so we'll see.

Quote from: Zach on November 14, 2007, 08:51:58 PM

Just did my 40 minutes on the stationary bike.
Take that ... candy corn!!