Exercise is so important for our overall health. When I was younger, I thought exercise was just to keep my weight down. But after my fall injuring my back, the doctors told me I had to walk every day or I would be paralyzed. Then as I began my recovery from heavy metal poisoning and thyroid issues (Hashimotos), I quickly learned that exercise has to be a way of life, to be able to function the way I need and want to.
Having an autoimmune disease requires a different kind of exercise though. It can be hard on your body if you’re trying to do extreme, aggressive forms of exercise. Gentle exercise programs are suggested for healing from these issues. Walking, swimming, biking and a form of yoga are all forms of a gentler work-out. The most important thing is that you find something you like and enjoy doing. That way you’ll keep going, and that’s so important to continue your exercise and make it a life habit you do every day. I really enjoy biking, and enjoy that during the summer months. But, I needed make sure I had a solid routine I could do every day know matter the weather or how I felt.
The first time I went to an endocrinologist for my thyroid, she asked me if I was exercising. I was walking every day about 30+ minutes, so I felt really good about what I was doing. But she explained that wasn’t enough. She explained that I needed to also be doing a weight bearing exercise to strengthen my bones. She suggested the Bar Method. I had never heard of it, so went home and started researching to learn more.
Burr Leonard created the Bar Method in 1991. The Bar Method is a combination of ballet, yoga, and gentle pilates. This form of weight bearing exercise helps with stronger bones, strengthens core, and helps with bone density. It’s an exercise program that focuses on elongating muscles and burning fat. The movements in the Bar Method also helps strengthen your bones, flatten abdominals, elongate and tone muscles in the legs, lift your buttocks, and provide well-stretched muscles throughout the body.
The benefits of the Bar Method include increased life span and endurance. The Bar Method has benefits equal to aerobic exercise – increased muscle mass which can help in the fight against cancer, diabetes as well as heart disease. Added benefits are improved posture, reduced back pain and muscle stabilization.
I began my exercise program of the Bar Method by ordering a beginners DVD on www.barmethod.com. Other equipment needed: ballet bar or chair, stretching strap, exercise mat (or carpet if you have that), dumb-bells and a 7” playground ball. There are Bar Method classes taught in person, so look for local classes being taught in your area. Classes are available online. Another website I use is www.barreamped.com. Suzanne Bowen is another skilled teacher and I’ve enjoyed her programs too.
My regular daily routine is alternating days of walking and the Bar Method. On days that I walk, I do a few minutes of some stretches and core exercises to help my back. Because we have several months of really cold weather which bothers me a lot, I invested in a treadmill so I could walk inside when needed. This was the best option for me. Maybe you live in an area where the weather is usually nice for outside walking, or else the cold doesn’t bother you. Just find what works best for you.
Happy Exercising!