PMR and exercise: What helps you?

Also 79. I'm not sure that we can listen to our bodies when our bodies are clinically insane. That's why we're all here, after all - our immune systems are attacking healthy tissue.

My doctor said that because I've responded well to prednisone, I'm okay to do whatever I could before PMR occurred... and I should. Her words (and she does seem sane): "Use it or lose it.". Some days my walks feel as though I'm facing into the wind, but I'm forging through. Able to mow the lawn again, hasn't been any need to stop for breaks if cool enough. Initially I assumed that I'd need to cut back on anything requiring upper body strength - I had thought that the PMR was triggered by over-doing just before the initial onset, but the rheumatologist says that they simply don't know and not to act on any assumptions.

I wish I was exercising in the real sense of the word 'exercising' but I am not. I am just trying to stay 'active'. We go out everyday to do a little shopping, take the dog out, or do a little yard work. Walking any great length seems to aggrevate the foot or knee problem I have. I have tried to get interested in the Silver Sneakers program, their exercises seem to be low impact.
suzanne

I swim also. But I don’t do any arm movements that involve moving my body. I use an inner tube float and just kick around in the pool then stand in water up to my neck and move my arms in a swimming motion. I found that doesn’t bother my neck and shoulders.

Very preliminary but I have high hopes. Doing gentle Tai-Chi (okay, I admit it, for older folk). Also bought a Pilates spreader bar with resistance bands, watching one of numerous YouTube videos for routines. One warning, my lightest resistance band was 30 pounds and I can only make it through about half the routines so I ordered a set of 10 to 50 lb. bands and will work my way up.

What’s the best exercises for someone diagnosed with PMR I am now on 5mg of Prednisone

Hello @edayvonne, Welcome to Connect. You will notice that we moved your post to an existing discussion on the same topic so that you can meet others with PMR discussing exercise. If you click the link below it will take you to the beginning of the discussion where you can learn what other members have shared:
--- PMR and exercise: What helps you?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/pmr-and-exercise/

Do you have any daily routines that you have found helpful?

I teach yoga 4 times a week and use the opportunity to do the poses that are most helpful to my PMR issues on any given day.

Hi all; when I was diagnosed in January, my doc was very adamant that I continue my exercise program. Another commenter said use it or lose it. I just started my 8th year of CrossFit. I like XFit because with the exception of the bikes and rowers, your body is the machine. I am 82 and in a group where our oldest is a 92 year old retired orthopod and our youngest is 73. The exercises are scaleable to the individual whether pushups, air squats, or ring rows. Even when I had a brutal flare about 10 weeks ago that put me back on prednisone, I went to CrossFit.
CrossFit is all over the country. Google it and see what you think

Thank you I will try and join a yoga class at gym

I used to do jazzercise before PMR, but it's too much and the overworking is not good for me now. But after some looking, i found a great YouTube channel that are just right most are osteo-friendly. She posts a 5day routine each week that keeps variety and explains how to scale up or down according to ability/need. Plus lots of routines by category. I find it very helpful in building strength and stability. Even used her chronic pain routine a time or 2 on rough days. Her channel is called Senior Shape Fitness by Lauren.