Thanks for starting this group!
Before diagnosis and prednisone, with full onset PMR for months, I managed an hour walk everyday. It was slow because my legs were so stiff and walking did not eliminate stiffness (PMR restricts blood flow). After the walk, I was pretty exhausted. On days I couldn't walk, because of rain, I peddled while watching tv. PMR symptoms eased up after months but had incredible neck pain. Exercises from Physical Therapist, which had worked for me before, didn't help much. With a diagnosis of GCA, I was prescribed a high dosage of prednisone and neck pain miraculously disappeared. Prednisone thins the bones - so it's important to keep doing weight bearing exercises. Now diagnosed with osteoporosis, I've found the Pilates and other exercises I was doing that involve spinal flexion (the C curve, abdominal curls, the hundreds, cat, etc.) and side stretching (the swan) can stress the spine and cause silent compression fractures. There's so much to keep in mind, but we just have to find the right balance of intensity and the kinds of exercises that don't cause flare ups or worsen our conditions. Overhead exercises for shoulders may be a trigger, but maybe lateral exercises are okay. Work the abdominals without doing curls, which are pretty useless anyway. Be conscious of lifting techniques that don't put the spine at risk and get in the habit of using them. Resist the urge to do too much or power through when we know we've done enough, but better to keep moving than stop. Rest when tired. Our bodies have brought us this far. It's time to cut them a break.