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What is any of you doing to exercise and lose weight like food exercise and supplements?

A MyMSTeam Member asked a question 💭
Peterborough, NH
February 12
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MyMSTeam

What are people with MS doing to exercise, lose weight, and manage their diet and supplements?

Many MyMSTeam members have found success with a combination of approaches. Here's what's working for them:

Exercise Options
* Water aerobics or swimming to start, then progressing to walking on a treadmill
* Aiming for 10,000 Show Full Answer

What are people with MS doing to exercise, lose weight, and manage their diet and supplements?

Many MyMSTeam members have found success with a combination of approaches. Here's what's working for them:

Exercise Options:
* Water aerobics or swimming to start, then progressing to walking on a treadmill
* Aiming for 10,000 steps daily, even when it's challenging
* YouTube yoga videos designed for MS that you can do at home in your pajamas
* Going for brisk walks where you're breathing deeply enough that conversation is difficult
* Pilates classes that work both body and mind
* Wheelchair exercises like curling weights or following routines from MS organizations
* Exercising first thing in the morning to work around fatigue

Diet Recommendations:
* Focus on eating real, whole foods with simple ingredients like apple, chicken, and asparagus
* Avoid processed foods with ingredients you can't pronounce - those are chemicals, not food
* Put down fast food and diet sodas in favor of actual nutritious meals

About Supplements:
While there's no proven data that specific supplements improve MS symptoms, some people do take them. Vitamin D3 is commonly discussed. However, it's crucial to talk with your doctor before starting any supplements, as they can have side effects and interact with medications.

One member shared that going to the gym three times weekly actually helps with exhaustion, showing exercise itself can sometimes combat fatigue.

February 12
A MyMSTeam Member

Right now, I'm still walking and stretching some mornings; other days I do yardwork and cleaning around the house.

February 12
A MyMSTeam Member

Find an indoor swimming pool. If you can’t swim, Start with simple water walking. Forwards, backwards, side to side. Try walking as fast as you can. The water resistance provides for an excellent workout. Make sure you are in shoulder deep water so you can swing you arms and get them involved in your workout. If you can swim, do it and do it vigorously. After 12+ years of swimming, my total workout is now 1800 yards, just over a mile.
But I digress. When I hit 230 lbs, I said that’s it. I hit the pool and hit it hard! It didn’t take too long to get back to 185-190 lbs. I weighed 180 when I got married in 1998 and 28 years later I am about 187-188 lbs. I can live with that!

February 12
A MyMSTeam Member

Due to lack of mobility, I've had to change my diet. Stopped sloppy eating. Water aerobics and swimming are good for me. Lots of stretching also helps me. But I can't be aggressive with any exercising. Or it destroys me. It's a delicate balance.
But I keep at it.

February 12
A MyMSTeam Member

@A MyMSTeam Member
Good Afternoon,
What works for me is portion control, everything in moderation. I do like the Mediterranean diet. However, I don't like to deprive myself. For example: if I want a piece of cake, I will have it. Or, any other dessert I might find appealing. (If I'm out and we get dessert, I share it with my husband. If I'm at home, I will cut a small piece of cake. This is what works for me. I do indulge on special occasions. To me it's balance.

As for exercise, we have a gym at our complex that is one of the amenities. Depending upon how I feel, I go to the gym or I follow you tube videos. Everyone is different. You just have to find what works for you. 😊

February 12

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