Want to join me in exercise?

[MooseMom]

Zach, thanks for posting that link; I went through and read all of the articles and it has inspired me to keep on exercising!  I especially liked the article about the importance of exercising the major muscles of the legs.  It has been so incredibly hot and humid here in Chicagoland, plus the mosquitoes have been diabolical because of recent flooding, so I have not exercised as much as I should have.  I swim most days, though...swimming makes my fistula hum like crazy...it's really bizarre.  I am eagerly awaiting cooler weather so that I can get back into my routine.

[okarol]

I had been lax on my walking routine this summer because I had hurt my knee. I am glad I gave it time to heal (it's much better) so today I started walking again. I walked for an hour and it felt great!

[lunadatura]

I am very fortunate that here in Seattle the Northwest Kidney Center subsidizes my membership to my nearby YMCA. Its a brand new 2008 facility with a great pool.

My new love is water aerobics. Even though I have been through months of hospitalization and rehab in the past six months (shattered knee and septicimia) in my first class today I was able to pretty much keep up. It was a great work out as felt a little tired afterwards and my muscles were kinda talking to me but it felt great to move again.

Not being able to move due to my knee injury has not only taught me the necessity of movement but also the pleasure and priviledge. 

[Zach]

 

[okarol]

Yes - You Should Exercise to help Kidney Disease!

Exercise to help kidney disease

Did you know that you can exercise to help kidney disease and improve kidney health? Exercise is seldom considered as a necessary component of kidney failure treatment, but it should be. Research has shown that an inactive lifestyle in adults increases the risk of many diseases, including kidney disease. Of course, exercise alone cannot guarantee optimum health, but it certainly is a major contributor. We will look at some of the benefits of exercise and offer some suggestions on how you can get started.

Most people are aware that exercise can help cardiovascular diseases, strokes, circulatory problems, etc... but not many people know that they should also exercise to help kidney disease. Exercise has a profound impact on health and well-being. Regardless of your health and fitness status, it is possible for you to improve your overall well being and health with regular exercise. While we will be mainly focused on exercise to help kidney disease, some other benefits of regular exercise include:

    * Increased energy. If you exercise regularly, over a period of time you will develop greater resistance to fatigue and your energy will increase.
    * Help in dealing with stress. Exercise relieves tension which enables you to relax and feel less tense.
    * Improved ability to sleep. As tension in your body diminishes and you begins to relax, you will go to sleep much quicker and sleep more soundly.
    * Improved overall daily functioning. As your fitness improves, your capacity to perform daily tasks at school, home or on the job will increase.
    * Improved appearance. As you burn extra calories and your muscles become firmer, it becomes easier to control your weight thus improving your overall appearance.
    * Improved overall health. There are many health benefits to be gained from regular exercise. As oxygen is transported more efficiently around the body, circulation improves, the heart becomes stronger, blood pressure is lowered, and your body is better equipped to fight off diseases.

 

Exercise to help Kidney Disease

What is the connection between exercise and kidney disease? Just imagine for a moment a pound fill with water that remains stagnant for a long period of time. After a while the water becomes discolored, as moss and other pollutants accumulate in it. Contrast that with a fountain that is constantly spouting and moving the water around. It looks a lot cleaner, healthier, and alive. There is less build-up of moss and other pollutants.

This analogy gives a good idea of what happens in the body when we fail to exercise compared to when we exercise regularly. As the blood and other substances are stirred by exercise, toxins and other waste products are eliminated more efficiently and circulation and other metabolic functions improve. This allows oxygen and essential nutrients to be transported more efficiently around the body, resulting in better overall health.

So indeed, you should exercise to help kidney disease, heart disease, circulation problems, reduce stress… and more. Kidney disease is largely a lifestyle disease (meaning it can be prevented by changing lifestyle habits).

from http://www.comprehensive-kidney-facts.com/exercise-to-help-kidney-disease.html

[Zach]

 

[Restorer]

I just started a Couch-to-5K running program along with a very good friend. It's slightly difficult to run together, since she's across the country, so we (and our friends) are keeping each other accountable with a running log blog, Two Bros One Couch-to-5K.

I'm running MWF right before dialysis. It probably makes the running harder, but it makes sitting through dialysis easier.

[Zach]

Excellent!

[Restorer]

I've been trying to run for two and a half weeks now. My joints haven't been taking it well. They've been sore and stiff for the last 2 weeks.

I just had my monthly labs drawn, and my hemoglobin is down to 9-point-something, after months of 13+ numbers. Nothing has really changed except for my exercising. I remember from PD that any inflammation can make EPO less effective. Has anyone else heard that? Could my aching joints and sore muscles be causing my hemoglobin to plummet?

[Zach]

 

[Rain]

Restorer,

I know it's a little late to respond.
But the more you exercise the more red blood cells you are killing so you need more EPO.  Work with your doctor.   The cramps in the legs and joints  could also be low iron, so get the checked. 

[MooseMom]

Is anyone doing any exercise outdoors in this heat?  I refuse to join a gym.  Not gonna happen.  I walk, swim, cycle and snowshoe, plus I have free weights that I work with.  Being outdoors is all part of the joy of exercise for me, so I am incredibly frustrated that I feel very very wary about just walking in this diabolical heat.  It's expected to be 105 tomorrow here in the western burbs of Chicago, and that's dangerous for anyone.  What are you all doing to stay fit in the heatwave?  Any ideas for me?  I'm not doing any strength training at the moment; that will be possible in a few weeks, so I'm pretty much limited to regular walks up and down the stairs.  Dull as dishwater.

[monrein]

I like the gym.  A lot.  I try to get there every morning I can and I like the variety of cardio exercise available to me...3 types of elliptical machines, treadmill, bike (recumbent and regular), rowing machine.  I aim for an hour of varied stuff.  Then there are the classes if one likes those, I've done pilates and yoga but prefer going solo.  I do a half hour of weights, free and machines and finish with stretches and abdominals.  On Tuesdays and Fridays I do an hour to an hour and a half of exercises on the pilates reformer (really love this) and I also have many friends there so it's a pretty important social place for me too.
I also aim to get out in the evening (I seriously avoid sun) for an hour of walking in my neighbourhood.  Gardening is also on the program but certain times of the year are more rigorous by far than others. 

The one absolute about my gym attendance is frequent hand washing and a thorough hand scrub and sanitizing as the last thing before leaving.  I use weight gloves for rowing and weights.

Maybe you'd like a pilates tape to do at home MM.

[Rain]

I love working out outside.  I bought a bike this year and I bike 30-40 km a day but I try to go out early morning or evening when the sun isn't the hottest and the uv is down.  I do not work out if it's above 35C (95F) I did it once and went through a 1 liters of water due to sweating and I was tired the rest of the day.    During heatwaves I try to do  something indoors. 

[Zach]

But the more you exercise the more red blood cells you are killing so you need more EPO.

Do you have a link to that information?

[Rain]

http://www.livestrong.com/article/534560-does-exercise-increase-red-blood-cells/
It's called sports anemia and then it levels off.

[Zach]

http://www.livestrong.com/article/534560-does-exercise-increase-red-blood-cells/
It's called sports anemia and then it levels off.

Interesting article.
I learn something new everyday.

Many thanks, Rain!

[MooseMom]

It has finally cooled off enough that I can get outside and start walking again.  Yesterday was my first day out, and I walked 2 and a half miles split between two sessions.  I'm really pleased about that.  I will start walking each evening and try to cover at least that distance if at all possible.  I'm eager to start doing strength work again, but I have to be a bit patient about that.  I'm even more eager to be able to begin swimming again.

[Rain]

MooseMom that's awesome.. Keep up the good work.

Remember slow and steady wins the race..  so don't push yourself too hard.

[MooseMom]

Thanks, Rain.  I appreciate the couragement.  I have another post dinner walk scheduled for this evening.  I'm not sure I'll have the time to put in 2 miles, but anything is better than nothing.  I'm just so glad that the weather has cooled.

[jbeany]

MUST.SET.UP.TREADMILL.  It's cool in the basement, so I'd have no excuse in this crazy heat.

[MooseMom]

MUST.SET.UP.TREADMILL.  It's cool in the basement, so I'd have no excuse in this crazy heat.

Don't be a lazy -----------> 

LOL!

Although it seems to me that with all of your house remodelling, you're getting plenty of exercise with activities that actually accomplish something.

[jbeany]

MUST.SET.UP.TREADMILL.  It's cool in the basement, so I'd have no excuse in this crazy heat.

Don't be a lazy -----------> 

LOL!

Although it seems to me that with all of your house remodelling, you're getting plenty of exercise with activities that actually accomplish something.

Well, I did what I could.  I went downstairs after dinner and got to work.  Moved all the boxes and furniture into the other half of the room, swept and scrubbed the floor, moved the furniture back, put the treadmill in place, and went to plug it in.  No 3-prong outlets in the rec room.  So, not today.  I have to wait until it's daylight before I shut the power out down there, or I'll trip over something and break an ankle while I have the power shut off.

[MooseMom]

No 3-prong outlets in the rec room.  So, not today.

Yeah, yeah..."no 3-prong outlets..."  Uh huh.   

[jbeany]

LOL!  My computer is plugged in with a giant orange extension cord that runs from the office to the living room.  Apparently, the last owner only changed the ones he needed for his TV and stereo and didn't touch the rest.  I can't even plug in stuff with two different sized plugs in some places, the outlets are so old!  My BIL insisted he was going to change them for me, but still hasn't after 2 months, so I'm going to learn to do it myself.  My Better Homes and Garden book insists it only takes 10 minutes a plug.  Uh huh.  We'll see how long it takes with 60 year old wiring that isn't color coded....