I have a couple of chronic conditions (Ehler Danlos syndrome and mast cell activation syndrome, woooo) and see pushback against meditation and exercise from other EDS/MCAS people so, SO much, but they work. Really well.
Some do have major issues starting exercise. No one expects someone with severe hip instability to do leg presses or a patient with CFS to pick up jogging, but there’s almost always something you can do. My arms and shoulders are a mess, so I started upper body exercises (tricep extensions, curls, etc) with a 6 oz can of tomato paste. Four years later, I’m up to five pounds! You just have to use some problem solving skills and do what you can, when you can.
Undiagnosed (aside from TTT at home) EDS/POTS here (mild), I biked enough to notice a difference but I didn’t hit the point where it aligned with this post (maybe because I don’t really sweat, stress on my body changes the effect?). Even with inactivity, muscle loss is not an issue for me.
Though the biggest issue with cycling for me is that I don’t really have (m)any destinations, distance makes most trips not viable for what they are (particularly factoring in return trip) or add complication when it comes to hours or weather. Daylight savings ending combined with shorter days ruined it for me, too.
If I may offer some 100% not a doctor or medical advice, resistance training is great for EDS in my experience and that of others. The only thing to be aware of is it WILL hurt for awhile. I go to a gym that has a full complement of exercise machines (free weights + hypermobility = easier to injure) and started lower body exercises on the lowest weight, a whopping 10 pounds. I’m gradually working my way up but am taking it really slow. I’ll eventually move to light to medium weight free weight exercises, but not for some time. The hypermobility in my knees and hips has significantly decreased and I’ve regained a fair amount of flexibility (hypermobile folks tend to get tight muscles as we age since we use them to stabilize our joints).
I have a couple of chronic conditions (Ehler Danlos syndrome and mast cell activation syndrome, woooo) and see pushback against meditation and exercise from other EDS/MCAS people so, SO much, but they work. Really well.
Some do have major issues starting exercise. No one expects someone with severe hip instability to do leg presses or a patient with CFS to pick up jogging, but there’s almost always something you can do. My arms and shoulders are a mess, so I started upper body exercises (tricep extensions, curls, etc) with a 6 oz can of tomato paste. Four years later, I’m up to five pounds! You just have to use some problem solving skills and do what you can, when you can.
Undiagnosed (aside from TTT at home) EDS/POTS here (mild), I biked enough to notice a difference but I didn’t hit the point where it aligned with this post (maybe because I don’t really sweat, stress on my body changes the effect?). Even with inactivity, muscle loss is not an issue for me.
Though the biggest issue with cycling for me is that I don’t really have (m)any destinations, distance makes most trips not viable for what they are (particularly factoring in return trip) or add complication when it comes to hours or weather. Daylight savings ending combined with shorter days ruined it for me, too.
If I may offer some 100% not a doctor or medical advice, resistance training is great for EDS in my experience and that of others. The only thing to be aware of is it WILL hurt for awhile. I go to a gym that has a full complement of exercise machines (free weights + hypermobility = easier to injure) and started lower body exercises on the lowest weight, a whopping 10 pounds. I’m gradually working my way up but am taking it really slow. I’ll eventually move to light to medium weight free weight exercises, but not for some time. The hypermobility in my knees and hips has significantly decreased and I’ve regained a fair amount of flexibility (hypermobile folks tend to get tight muscles as we age since we use them to stabilize our joints).