Working out and Crohn's

by Steve
(Akron, OH)

I've had Crohn's Disease for about 2 1/2 years now. I haven't really worked out since I've been diagnosed, though I did used to play sports all the time, prior to the diagnosis. I had just started working out recently, and find myself in serious pain. I am curious as to whether the pain is from Crohn's Disease or just because I haven't really done anything since being diagnosed.
I didn't do any major workout, was just about 100-125 sit ups. The pain right now, is next to unbearable.
Any answers are much appreciated.
Thanks
Steve

Comments for Working out and Crohn's

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Working out and Crohn's NEW
by: Annette Young

Hi there,
Thanks for your question.
I have discovered that doing too much abdominal work effects many Crohn's sufferers in a negative way and although returning to exercise is going to make your body hurt when you are using muscles that you have not used for a while, you have to be careful.

Exercise is actually good for all Crohn's sufferers but there are different types of exercise that you can or should do in the first instance.

Yoga - this can be very beneficial for those with Crohn's as it gently and effectively works the inner organs. It can help with your digestion and overall bowel health. Each posture should be held for a number of seconds but it is not about tying your body up in knots, it is more about feeling the stretch and using your breathing to ease into the posture. Yoga is non-competitive, so if you go to a class, forget about the others, just be guided by the teacher. If you don't feel like going to a class, grab a yoga DVD.

Walking - this is great exercise and will help you in a number of ways. Choose days where you feel better and don't be tempted to overdo it. Choose a spot which is appealing and take in the scenery around you too. This can help you to feel more relaxed and to enjoy the walk. Have bouts of walking where you increase your pace and your heart rate too and then slow your pace to a more natural speed. You can increase your distance a little at a time.

When you have Crohn's, the idea is to work with your body and not to put pressure on it. If you are used to a tough work-out, you might feel a little cheated but if you take it slowly, you may well achieve the type of exercise regime that you are looking for.

This would be my suggestion in the first instance. The walking for cardio purposes and the yoga for an internal and external stretch increasing flexibility. You could also try swimming.

I hope this helps?

Best wishes,

Annette
Working out and Crohn's
by: Anonymous

I have been diagnosed with Crohns for 7 years now. I used to love doing Pilates, but I can't. I cannot do any exercise that tightens my stomach. It sucks cause it's hard to tone your body, you have to just burn calories thru everything else. I can't do sit ups, crunches or anything that involves tightening the core. Hope this helps. It took me a long time to figure it out.
Working out and Crohn's
by: Anonymous

I have been diagnosed with Crohns for 7 years now. I used to love doing Pilates, but I can't. I cannot do any exercise that tightens my stomach. It sucks cause it's hard to tone your body, you have to just burn calories thru everything else. I can't do sit ups, crunches or anything that involves tightening the core. Hope this helps. It took me a long time to figure it out.
working out and crohn's
by: Anonymous

I too have some pain in my right side during and after for up to a week after doing something strenuous. My doc said it could be that there is some scar tissue in my intestines that is causing problems.
Active life
by: Ryan

I've been diagnosed a litte over 3 years and I have found my active life helps me stay in check. I live in the mountains and I hike, fish, hunt, camp, ski, reff high school basketball, and I think it really help. Obviously if you working out makes your hurt your body is telling you something, but if you could work up to a moderate routine I think it might help.
Exercise
by: Marydon

Depending on where your pain is ... exercise is highly recommended. Have your gall bladder checked if you are having back pain.
Work out
by: Julie

My goodness - I think you over did it. I guess you were always super fit, but for the last 2 1/2 years you have been too unwell to keep it up. 100-125 sit ups is alot to start with. Did your work out only consist of sit ups? It would be better to do 15-30 sit ups, even less if your body complains, and do some streatching and other varied exercises. Most well people embarking on exercise would find 100 sit ups leaves them very sore. Your body needs time to heal and recover and you must be kind to yourself. Take care.
Working out and Crohn's
by: Anonymous

Hello, You have asked a very good question that I have been wondering about since I was diagnosed in Dec. 2007. I have been wanting to ask the GI doctor but everytime I go for an appointment I keep forgetting because they still keep running more test. I hope someone out here can answer your question.

Personally, I feel that if you didnt work out for 2 1/2 years and you started off with 100-125 sit ups that you over did it. Before I was diagnosed with crohn's I would do sit ups off and on and when ever I would start back up after not doing them for a while my stomach would be so sore for about a week. I think if you are going to do them that you should start off with 20 one day then add a few more the next day and so on. I hope this helped and if not maybe someone else will write and give you a good opinion. Good Luck!

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