Need Toning up advice

[Indiana Jane]

Hello all,
Im looking for some advice on the best way i can strengthen my muscles in my legs and arms and flatten my tummy. Must be gentle exercises! as i do have health problems...arthritis etc
But my heart and lungs are fine.

Jogging is out of the question. I can do gentle roller blading, walking. I would like to find something i can do just in the privacy of my home. To tone and strengthen myself up.

Im not needing to lose weight. At the moment im on a high protein diet to gain weight ,under supervision of the local hospital. I would just like to tone my legs especially the tops and flatten the tummy slightly. Of course if i could strengthen myself a little also in the arms and legs that would be grand!

As an avid ex cross country runner, im missing the exercise, i realise, i cant go back to that. But i am hoping there is atleast something suitable for someone such as me.
Any pointers or advice, much appreciated. Thanks =)

 

[Megatomic]

Hi Jane, welcome to AT and specifically the H&F forum. It looks like walking and rollerblading would be excellent forms of exercise for you with your given limitations. It will tone the muscles of your legs and your core (to some degree). If you move your arms like the powerwalkers do you may also see some toning of your upper arms as well.

Where is your arthritis? You may be able to incorporate some strength work into your routine which will really have a dramatic impact on tone.

 

[Indiana Jane]

Originally posted by: Megatomic
Hi Jane, welcome to AT and specifically the H&F forum. It looks like walking and rollerblading would be excellent forms of exercise for you with your given limitations. It will tone the muscles of your legs and your core (to some degree). If you move your arms like the powerwalkers do you may also see some toning of your upper arms as well.

Where is your arthritis? You may be able to incorporate some strength work into your routine which will really have a dramatic impact on tone.

My case is complicated i suffer from systemic sclerosis which is basically my immune system saying hi i dont like you to my soft tissues. I take a chemotherapy drug for that.
My muscles generally feel weak in my arms and legs.

raynauds.. affects my hands and feet espceially if i get cold

Spinal problems..I had a lumbar disc that trapped nerves in my legs for a good few years. I was majorly disabled by it all. One disc has been removed ( was an emergency procedure)
Disc above L5 (which was removed) i am told is slightly slipping. I am relatively fully healed to the best i think im going to get. I do suffer muscle spasms in the legs. I suspect it is either due to the nerve damage or due to over 10 years of total inactivity in bed during this unhappy episode.

I also have a rare genetic condition called Nail patellae syndrome...Mainly affects my knees. But i can walk, just they get painful if i do too much.

I also suffer from myelitis (hope i spelt that right) inflamation of the spine.

But im still rocking! Gentle exercise im fine with infact i feel better when i atleast do something.
But if i try push myself further i get real achey and stiff mainly arms and legs affected and base of my spine.

This last year i have been slightly raising the pace of what activity i do.
I managed to rollerblade 3 miles and walked a very gentle 5 mile walk. So i know my body is atleast not totally incapable of doing things.
Only thing i noticed afterwards where sore muscles in my legs. No surprise there! lol
Im suspecting my body is just out of shape and of course battling the main arthritis problems of the systemic sclerosis.

Im not one to just give in though and im wanting to help my body keep strong the best i can. But i do realise its going to have limitations on what i should even attempt to get up to.
Sorry for the longish post, i think it better i try fully explain how my problems are affecting me.
Thus hopefully helping someone suggest a nice exercise program to suit my needs.

I do actually have a video of me rollerblading (Major event, since i had just recently thrown my walking aid away and something nice to show my specialist!)

At one point this specialist actually thought i would be making my way to a wheelchair...how wrong he was. I now have a running bet with him that by my next birthday i shall have a shot of me and my roller blades and a bikini! (hence why i would like a flat stomach )
and something i have noticed is i dont move my arms like you suggested. I will try to move them.