MS Boosts the Importance of Avoiding a Sedentary Lifestyle

Absolutely agree.
What’s not mentioned in the article is the profound way that exercise can help improve mood. I’ve found that just half an hour of exercise a day(recumbent bike or swimming) can keep the MS blues away. Note: I have to be careful not to overdo it because if I do, I find that the effects are enough to tell myself I don’t have to do it next day...and the next...and the next.

I think I stumbled onto the "exercise really helps slow the effects of MS.
I first had symptoms of a neuralgic problems at about the age of 35. At 43 or 44 I visited a neurologist & was diagnosed with "optic neuritis". At 46 I was diagnosed by an MRI with "some type of progressive MS" by a different neurologist. She advised me that I should try to get my life in order for needing assistance to even walk. Since this was in 1986, before the internet was in general use, I bought books on peoples experiences with MS & saw a common theme of exercise & mainly "Yoga" seemed to help some people.
In 1990 I was experiencing walking, numbing of limbs, & some incontinence problems so I bought a book with 3 audio tapes on Hatha Yoga & began a 1 hour per day exercise program. I slowly progressed from beginner to intermittent level of this program. I walked several miles every chance
I could.
I held a job that required extensive international air travel & the ability to board large ships from moving pilot or tug boats. I never told my employer that I had MS until my retirement at 59.
I cut back on the Yoga at about 60 & this was a mistake as I began slowly getting balance & worse walking problems.
Walking slowly became more difficult & I started to use a walking stick around 65. At about 74 my balance problems cause me to start using a 4 wheel walker.

I am now 78, still walking, driving, handling the incontinence problems & doing an exercise program under direction of a good Physical Therapist. My only medications used were occasional steroids.
I chose not to go on the DMD"s as the 4th of 6 neurologist I consulted with over the years told me if they had been available in the 80's & I had gone on them I would have been 1 of their success story's.

So so true! I was DX in 2011 age 35. Was told I would be wheelchair bound within the year. But w/ the help of my 13 yr old pug, Fraiser, he keeps me walking 1 mile every morning and 1 mile every evening .... Even if I don't wanna go, he looks at me in a way that says, "come on, you can do it ...!"
So my MS neuro is just so pleased that 7 yrs later, all I need occasionally is my cane! No wheelchair yet! Thanks to walking & keeping my legs mobile! (And of course thanks to my love pug!)

15 years ago my neuro said she could give me something for pain or I could exercise. I had never exercised before, but started and found that I enjoyed it and the way it made me feel. Started with MS Pilates classes and lifting weights. Years later I can (mostly) do normal group exercise classes at the gym like Zumba, yoga, pilates, hip hop, kickboxing, and really enjoy them. Exercise really makes a difference. I will always be thankful to her for getting me started.

Excellent article Debi. Thank you very much for your suggestions.

I am a member of the MS Gym and highly recommend it for anyone wanting to get stronger and better. It's a facebook group. Lots of free content, but there is also a paid membership group. Definitely worth the cost of it. I am feeling stronger.

I've been exercising for 15 years now, I do it because I like it. Whilst I did see gains prior to MS I haven't seen any since. Exercise makes me worse in the short term (walking and balance) and makes no difference long term. I think there are general health benefits but I don't think it helps MS symptoms at all.

You are right! I just can't motivate myself. Years ago I did the exercise routinely-for 8 years. Then when my kids went to school I found other things to do. My last child went do kindergarten in around 1990. Then I pretty much stopped going to exercise classes and jogging etc. Dion't miss it. Now I started reading this series with 1000 pg books and sometimes I'll sit most of the day and evening. I know I should move around more, I just don't. I think if I had a friend to motivate me it might help. I have a stepper machine in the house... hardly used it. I read these articles and I know I should move more. My eldest son is always after me to exercise; I just have always, except for those younger years, been a sedentary kind of person. Have has MS 13 years but I bet I had it much longer but never had any idea I had anything wrong.