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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by CareBear04 on February 1, 2005, at 20:19:21
hi all,
i don't know if there's anything in the archives directly related to my question, but i was hoping to get some answers, anyway.
my body has become deconditioned from months of being ill and not getting exercise. recently, i've developed problems with my knees, especially my right dominant knee. my doctor tells me i need more exercise to get better, but it's hard to do on weak knees. maybe something like swimming would be good? i'm having a bone density scan in a week to see if my bones are ok. i'm only 21, but they say i have a lot of risk factors.i'm underweight according to medical charts, but i weigh more than i look for reasons i can't explain. i don't think my bones are very heavy. i think i've lost a lot of muscle. i've been gaining weight, but no one seems to notice it. maybe it's going to build up my internal organs or something?
anyway, i need to get exercise and want to get fit again. can anyone suggest a good regimen? hopefully i'll start swimming soon-- i used to do swim team but haven't been in the pool much in at least five years. i used to run long distance, but that's probably not good for my knees. i'm thin, but my dad jokes about my arms needing toning. my doctors and parents want me to gain weight, but i've gained almost ten pounds already in the past few months, and i really hate to gain more. what kind of strength and aerobic exercise would help me get toned and lean without making me bulky or a lot heavier? and my metabolism has become very sluggish. what's the best way to get it back to normal?
thanks everyone! i figure we could all use advice on fitness, so maybe we can trade secrets. thanks!
Posted by Fallen4MyT on February 2, 2005, at 19:56:24
In reply to for you fitness experts, posted by CareBear04 on February 1, 2005, at 20:19:21
Well this is one area I am an expert...and yes swimming is made for you...and they also have aquacise classes you may want to join for people with health issues who can use the buoyancy of the water as to not stress joints and so on..you can run in water and do a lot you cannot do on land :) You may also want to get weights and lift them while sitting...Trust me on this I AM FIT and know my stuff here or I would not suggest this. Be well :)
> hi all,
> i don't know if there's anything in the archives directly related to my question, but i was hoping to get some answers, anyway.
> my body has become deconditioned from months of being ill and not getting exercise. recently, i've developed problems with my knees, especially my right dominant knee. my doctor tells me i need more exercise to get better, but it's hard to do on weak knees. maybe something like swimming would be good? i'm having a bone density scan in a week to see if my bones are ok. i'm only 21, but they say i have a lot of risk factors.
>
> i'm underweight according to medical charts, but i weigh more than i look for reasons i can't explain. i don't think my bones are very heavy. i think i've lost a lot of muscle. i've been gaining weight, but no one seems to notice it. maybe it's going to build up my internal organs or something?
>
> anyway, i need to get exercise and want to get fit again. can anyone suggest a good regimen? hopefully i'll start swimming soon-- i used to do swim team but haven't been in the pool much in at least five years. i used to run long distance, but that's probably not good for my knees. i'm thin, but my dad jokes about my arms needing toning. my doctors and parents want me to gain weight, but i've gained almost ten pounds already in the past few months, and i really hate to gain more. what kind of strength and aerobic exercise would help me get toned and lean without making me bulky or a lot heavier? and my metabolism has become very sluggish. what's the best way to get it back to normal?
>
> thanks everyone! i figure we could all use advice on fitness, so maybe we can trade secrets. thanks!
Posted by CareBear04 on February 2, 2005, at 22:44:07
In reply to Re: for you fitness experts » CareBear04, posted by Fallen4MyT on February 2, 2005, at 19:56:24
thanks fallen! i took my first swim today, and no one would ever guess that i graduated from swim classes and started as a junior lifeguard when i was like 12. that was years ago and i haven't been swimming since. at school gyms, i was really self-conscious in that speedo, swimming with people my age. where i go now, the women are much older, some really old doing water aerobics. my arms are weak and i didn't make it thru many laps, but i used a kickboard and managed 20 or so laps. i hope like running, swimming is something that will come back to me quickly. thanks for your reassurance and advice! funny, but my knee still aches more than before i swam. i don't know what the problem could be-- i'm too young for arthritis but a little old for adolescent onset stuff. anyone know about this stuff? thanks!
Posted by jujube on February 3, 2005, at 4:54:17
In reply to Re: for you fitness experts » Fallen4MyT, posted by CareBear04 on February 2, 2005, at 22:44:07
I agree with the advice Fallen has given. Aquatics is a great way to get back into exercise without putting too much strain on the body (in spite of the fact that exercise in the water can be a good way to tone and strengthen). As she suggested, you might want to invest in some free weights (ankle, wrist and hand weights) in weight increments up to five pounds. They are reasonably priced at Walmart. You can do a series of leg and arm exercises with the weights to strengthen and tone (but not "bulk up").
With respect to your knee, I experienced a real problem with my left knee a number of years ago, and the pain and discomfort got so bad and was causing me a lot of inconvenience that I finally caved in went to the doctor. Anyway, I had to see an ortheopedic surgeon who had the knee x-rayed and told me that I had a bone rubbing against a muscle (something like that) likely caused from years of high impact aerobics and skiing. What he had me do was leg lifts starting with 1 pound in weight and working up to 5 or, if necessary, 10 pounds. He told me to lay on the floor with one knee bent and do 10 -20 leg lifts with the straight leg. I would say that within a few weeks to a month my knee was much better. I still do the exercises when the knee acts up, but that is very rare now.
Anyway, good luck to you, and take care.
> thanks fallen! i took my first swim today, and no one would ever guess that i graduated from swim classes and started as a junior lifeguard when i was like 12. that was years ago and i haven't been swimming since. at school gyms, i was really self-conscious in that speedo, swimming with people my age. where i go now, the women are much older, some really old doing water aerobics. my arms are weak and i didn't make it thru many laps, but i used a kickboard and managed 20 or so laps. i hope like running, swimming is something that will come back to me quickly. thanks for your reassurance and advice! funny, but my knee still aches more than before i swam. i don't know what the problem could be-- i'm too young for arthritis but a little old for adolescent onset stuff. anyone know about this stuff? thanks!
Posted by Wildflower on February 3, 2005, at 9:47:37
In reply to for you fitness experts, posted by CareBear04 on February 1, 2005, at 20:19:21
My suggestions would be light water aerobics (swimming may strain your knee), pilates, using an exercise ball or working with hand weights while sitting in a chair. If you have a knee brace, use it for the last three suggestions. Another thing would be to stretch out your body each morning. It should releive some of the stiffness you may feel.
(I teach fitness classes part time.)
Posted by CareBear04 on February 3, 2005, at 13:05:54
In reply to Re: for you fitness experts » CareBear04, posted by Wildflower on February 3, 2005, at 9:47:37
thanks wildflower and jujube! i mostly want to tone my arms and the smallest weights i have are my brothers 5-lbers. maybe i'll get some smaller ones and work my way up. i think at the pool, there's something called the 'river,' and the lifeguard told me it's good for strength training to exercise against the current.
as for my knee- thanks so much for the good advice. i see my primary care dr in the coming week. is an internist a good first person to talk to, or does one require an orthopedist or other specialist? i always thought internists deal mostly with the organ systems and not really the extremities or skin or anything, unless the problems are part of a whole body illness. what do you think? thanks again!!!
Posted by jujube on February 3, 2005, at 13:17:19
In reply to thanks all!, posted by CareBear04 on February 3, 2005, at 13:05:54
When I had my knee problem, my family doctor immediately referred me to an ortheopedic surgeon (this is how things are done in Canada - a referral is required to see a specialist). I guess it's up to your family doctor whether he/she wants to first have an x-ray done and then refer you to a specialist based on a review of the x-ray. Sorry, I don't know things work in the U.S.
Posted by Fallen4MyT on February 4, 2005, at 1:26:05
In reply to Re: for you fitness experts » Fallen4MyT, posted by CareBear04 on February 2, 2005, at 22:44:07
I won't be here to see your reply but children sadly can get arthritis....IF you haven't see a doc...I am so glad you went to the pool keep it up and do the weights..slow and easy..you'll build yourself up
HUGS GALORE AND GOODBYE
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