Try Weight Lifting

[born2swim]

I can't do anything jarring (such as the treadmill, ellipse machine, even the recumbant bike). I can't swim either. I can lift weights, which is better than nothing, and it doesn't make me worse. What is also nice is that between reps or machines, I can use the bathroom instead of getting off a cardio machine every 10 minutes (and it being obvious to everyone in my gym).

Give it a shot if you can. (ask your doctor first because weight lifting can be hard... I'd even suggest getting a personal trainer and have them give you a routine or two that takes work off your pelvis or lower back and shows you how to do the appropriate moves). I really enjoy weight lifting!

[stacey79]

That is a good suggestion. A couple of years ago, when my IC was at its worst, I did some copywriting work for a personal training who just opened a gym. I was new in my work, too. He couldn't avoid to pay me, so we exchanged services. He trained my hubby and I a couple of times a week.

I thought lifting weights would bother me. I certainly have times when carrying a gallon of milk to the checkout line would make my bladder scream, but the weight lifting we did on the machines and even with some free weights were different. I think because I was positioned correctly so it wasn't straining my bladder at all.

I just got an exercise ball to do some exercises for my back. I'm super out of shape right now. Any suggestions on exercises for the exercise ball? I clipped some out of my local newspaper a couple of weeks ago but haven't tried them, yet.

[born2swim]

I haven't tried the exercise ball other than ab work. I just got a video set from Target (3 DVD's) called body target balance ball. Also, my friend is a pilates instuctor but she works with pelvic disease patients or chronic pain patients. She said it has helped them tremendously. I assume getting an instructor showing you how to do the moves is the best way to protect the bladder. She is going to give me lessons (for free, yay!). I will still lift weights, but this last week and a half have been terrible and I can barely get through class let alone exercise. Cleaning is a major task right now too.

[stacey79]

I may check out a video. I went to physical therapy a year or two ago for an issue I had with my back. The therapist also taught Pilates, so a lot of what she showed me to do was Pilates related. I still do those stretches a few times a week for my back. She showed me a few on the exercise ball. I might check out some vidoes and stuff to see what I can find.

Hope you get to feeling better. My IC is OK right now, but I have some sort of virus or something I"ve been battling since Sunday. I'm heading to the doctor later today to see what's going on. Bluh.