During a Crohn’s disease flare-up, moving your body is probably the last thing you want to do. However, staying active in-between flare-ups, and even during, is beneficial to your body. But staying active doesn’t always mean running, burpees, and lifting. It can also be gentle walks or yoga. Consider these tips when developing a workout routine that is beneficial for you.
Low impact & Strength Training:
Not all strength training has to be heavy! In fact, strength training with light weights and high reps is great for toning muscles and feeling a great burn. Start light with 1 or 3-lb weights and get moving! For the most low-impact exercises, focus on your upper body.
This includes the biceps, shoulders, triceps, and back. Exercises like bicep curls, shoulder presses, single-arm rows, and tricep extensions are fundamental moves used to strengthen the upper body.
Better yet, these can be done seated! Shoot for ten reps and repeat each exercise three times. For low impact lower body exercises, resistance loops are a great investment. They can be found relatively cheap on Amazon, Walmart, or TJMaxx.
Resistance bands are cheap and user-friendly alternatives to weights. Try using resistance loops for moves such as side steps, side leg raises, and glute bridges. Move slowly and deliberately through each movement to really engage the muscle and feel the burn. Again, try to do 10-12 reps of each exercise and repeat three times.
Stay Hydrated:
Your body can’t be its best if it’s dehydrated! Our bodies need water to function properly, and most of us are not drinking enough of it.
Most people should aim for between half to a full gallon of water each day.
This equates to about 16 cups of water a day. Make it easy on yourself by using apps on your phone or wearable device to track each glass of water you drink a day. And for those who don’t want to keep track, use a gallon water bottle so you have all of your water for the day in one place.