What exercise do people find best when suffering with IBS? I used to be a 6 times a week gym goer and that became impossible and I ended up gaining weight when I stopped going. I really want to get back into working out and wondered what most people find manageable? But also high intensity enough to burn fat.
My IBS is largely in remission so long as I don't get stressed so I hardly notice any symptoms now. I stick to walking and light swimming mainly to keep my joints and muscles from aching. I used to live in Scotland where the climate is very wet and it gave me bad joints. I am not very sporty and I have had a lot of trips and falls over the years which have never fully healed. My muscle strength isn't great because I have a skinny boney build and I could easily aggravate old injuries with doing anything too vigourous.
I used to walk 5 or 6 miles at the weekend but my IBS tends to act in waves and currently I do not feel comfortable being so far away if that makes sense so I have switched to 30 min light jog around where I live or where I work at lunch. I have structured my jog so I am never more than 3 mins away so if I feel I need to get back I can. At least this way I am getting a little exercise. Not exactly 6 or 7 miles hill walking but it will do for the time being. This time next year I could be back to hill walking but the moment I do not feel comfortable. I have always hated the gym so that one is not for me.
I have done Mandukasana, Anulomi, bilomi various asanas and pranayams but it doesn't impact on my ibs-d and abdominal pain.
Thanks.
I recommend yoga to anyone. The breathing, and stretching is wonderful for everyone, and some of the routines burn far more calories than you might think. It also makes you feel relaxed, which is essential for all of us.
Yoga and pranayam solved my other problems but diarrhea and abdominal pain remained same.
"but it doesn't impact on my ibs-d and abdominal pain."
It seems like there isn't anything which stops this. I stop for a little while but then starts back up again very shortly afterwards.
Basically it's a see how you go thing. If things are bad stick to walking, swimming and yoga. When you are feeling ok do whatever you used to (obviously increase gradually to prevent injury since you've been our of it for a bit). If things are ok I go to the gym 4xweek heavy weights and cardio and it does nothing to my IBS. If things are bad I can't brace my abdominals so do lighter weights. If you have D then avoid running-it speeds things up lol.
One thing I do find is that if I do a lot of ab work it can trigger cramps and nausea.
Great advice and experts say the best exercise is walking as low impact but as if IBS wasn't enough I have developed vein problems making walking painful but when light jogging I do not feel it until I stop.