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AS & Movement/Exercise

Lisa Marie Basile

Hi, everyone. I'm very interested to hear what kind of movement and exercise you do — if you can still do exercise, of course.

While there are things I can't do, like running (ah, the spinal torture!!!)...I still dance, swim, and walk.

Dancing (I use YouTube dance videos) only works when I'm on a yoga mat so I'm not pounding my spine. Swimming is excellent for me and I always feel GREAT but I don't typically have access to a pool.

Walking is useful too, but honestly, if I aim to walk 10,000 steps per day, it KILLS ME but about 7k. If I'm honest, it hurts most of the time...but it starts to really kill me (my hips and lower back) at 7k.

So - does walking hurt/affect you?

What kind of shoes do you wear for back support?

GingerSunflower6 Member
Water aerobics
Nadine Cruz Member
Hey Lisa How are you? For me it’s dancing and swimming like you, I have a 24 hr fitness membership they have a pool and hot tub so I usually go there for swimming. I like a good Nike memory foam sneaker anything with memory foam helps me a lot! Sending love 💙 Nadine (Community Member)
Boris The Bold Member
Allow me to "invite" you to visit a comment I have made just now on this very subject, elsewhere on this site. https://ankylosingspondylitis.net/stories/swimming-pools#comment-463979
SJC1211 Member
I used to run/jog two hours a day before AS, I love running. It’s not so,e thing I can really do now often I probably shouldn’t at all but I basically lightly jog on the spot for 20-30 mins some days. Because I’m autistic movement is how I regulate feelings and emotions and sometimes I need that mentally even if my body isn’t fine with it. I do battle with this so often.

Walking I love when I’m able to (some days I can do 6-7,00 steps others I can barely stand to shower) but even with proper walking shoes if I’m walking somewhere with more gravelly floor or bumpy uneven pathway I end up with my hips and knees in agony after.

I’m still trying to figure out what I can and can’t do tbh and still upset about the limits as puts on my life, ideally I’d love to be able to do around 6-7,000 steps a day or have that leeway if I wanted to go out and do things vs one day that active followed by days unwell. Even building gradually didn’t change the effects sadly
1. Doreen H Community Admin
  
  Thanks so much for sharing your experience.
  I wish you all the best as you try to find that perfect balance.
  Warmly, Doreen (Team Member)
2. Nadine Cruz Member
  Hi Doreen same to you thank you 💙 Nadine (Community Member)