Staying MS fit easier when a healthy diet is maintained, preferably, one low in fat and high in fiber. Try not to fall for any of those fad diets either. Making the calories count is also important. This means, stay away from extra calories that are turned directly into fat; donuts, cake, candy, cookies, and sweets in general. The body can only utilize so much at one time and all extra calories are stored for later use. It isn’t good to starve yourself though because then the body goes into ‘famine mode’ and tries to store fat to prevent itself from starving. You need to eat meals at regular intervals during the day so the body knows it will always have food available.
Good food tends to make people feel better, which is always excellent for MS patients. If you feel good and your body is taking in a healthy diet of nutritious food, then this provides your immune system with a boost too. Talking to a registered dietitian or a nutritionist might be helpful if you are unsure as to what foods might be the best for you. Don’t try to make drastic changes all at once. It’s best to make changes slowly so as to not stress your body out. It has enough stress with the symptoms caused by MS.
Staying Fit Through Exercises for MS Patients
Exercise is good for many people, but MS patients tend to need the benefits of constant exercising most of all. Aerobics, water aerobics, yoga, lifting weights, running on a treadmill in the AC and any other exercise that doesn’t cause you to overheat is going to make you fit and have increased strength. Exercise also eases symptoms; fatigue, stiffness, numbness, and pain. It increases flexibility, enhances mood, improves bowl and bladder function, thus increasing the likelihood you will remain independent longer. No one wants to rely on the daily assistance of a caregiver for every little thing.
Individuals with limited mobility can easily adapt certain exercises to fit their personal needs. A regular exercise routine can boost the health of your heart and overall attitude as well. Exercising with a partner will make it more fun. Don’t worry about exercise triggering a relapse. People who have this concern have no reason to fear a relapse from engaging in exercises. To make yourself MS fit, it’s best to try out a few different exercises slowly and work up to increasing the repetition or the amount of time spent exercising.
