Exercise Intolerance and Stiff Legs
- Thread starter Dedushka
- Start date
When you say you have exercise intolerance do you mean it makes you twitch more or because it causes stiffness/pain? I twitch a lot more after exercise but I think the stiffness/pain may sometimes be caused by exercising so sporatically without doing it long enough to really become "in shape". Maybe if you started off slowly (like just walking) and working your way up to something more challenging over a longer period of time it would help.
GinniferLynne
Well-known member
Hi!
Yes, I exercise hard five days a week. Cardio and weight training.
Yes, I feel stiffness at times, but this may be due to pushing myself hard, or turning 40
My twitching is definitely worse after exercise.
Hope this helps
Yes, I exercise hard five days a week. Cardio and weight training.
Yes, I feel stiffness at times, but this may be due to pushing myself hard, or turning 40
My twitching is definitely worse after exercise.
Hope this helps
FrostySkullKiller
New member
I also have exercise intolerance which I experience as stiffness (the tin man feeling), rubbery legs, and a slight loss of coordination when running on the treadmill. I definitely associate it with BFS vs. getting older or being out of shape, since I've been exercising regularly for several years now and the intolerance happened right around the same time as my twitching started.
I've had to reset my expectations a bit -- if I can only run for 20 or 30 minutes vs. 40, or have to go at a lower speed, that's OK. Actually, having to stop sooner is kind of helpful since I go to the gym before work, so stopping sooner helps me get to work on time! (There's always a silver lining...) Also, I've started using some of the other machines more like the elliptical machines, which are a little less fatiguing and get some of the other muscles involved. And I haven't noticed any difference at all using the weight machines, which is nice.
I am finding after a couple of months that my running stamina has improved a tad, so perhaps I'll continue to regain my endurance. Hopefully the same will happen for you as well!
I've had to reset my expectations a bit -- if I can only run for 20 or 30 minutes vs. 40, or have to go at a lower speed, that's OK. Actually, having to stop sooner is kind of helpful since I go to the gym before work, so stopping sooner helps me get to work on time! (There's always a silver lining...) Also, I've started using some of the other machines more like the elliptical machines, which are a little less fatiguing and get some of the other muscles involved. And I haven't noticed any difference at all using the weight machines, which is nice.
I am finding after a couple of months that my running stamina has improved a tad, so perhaps I'll continue to regain my endurance. Hopefully the same will happen for you as well!
Thanks for the posts guys. I don't notice twitching badly afterward just incredible stiffness. I used to take step aerobics classes b4 all this sttuff started. I quit once the twitches began b/c i was afraid it would make them worse, not to mention that mentally I was ready to lose it. But, now since the twitches have subsided I want to start again. So, its good to know people with bfs are ignoring our symptoms and continuing their exercise routines. I am signing up to start classes again next week. Thanks again for your posts.
JCVanilla4125
Well-known member
Same for me. I exercise regularly; more weights than cardio (at 45 I know it should be the opposite). Yes, I do have some problems with pain and stiffness, but I just push thru it. Somedays, when I feel terrible before going to the gym, I find that I feel so much better after I have worked out. It helps to work out some of the stiffness and achiness.
I am not a stretcher. I usually just jump on the elliptical trainer without any strecthing exercises. I know its not smart but I have always done it this way and I never felt this level of stiffness. But, the reality is that I stopped all exercises after this stuff began so maybe my body is not ready to jump back in there quite yet. This week I start my exercise class and stretching is a part of the routine. I will let you know how it works out.
GinniferLynne
Well-known member
Cutte,
Have to agree with stretching. I do Pilates twice a week in addition to heavy weight training and am currently training for a half-marathon.
Pilates definitely helps with stiffness (am not stiff anymore since beginning Pilates a few months ago, and my body is 43 years old)
Also.,definitely noticed more twitching in calves since I began intense training for the half marathon.
Ginny
Have to agree with stretching. I do Pilates twice a week in addition to heavy weight training and am currently training for a half-marathon.
Pilates definitely helps with stiffness (am not stiff anymore since beginning Pilates a few months ago, and my body is 43 years old)
Also.,definitely noticed more twitching in calves since I began intense training for the half marathon.
Ginny
GinniferLynne
Well-known member
Cutte,
My twitches are worse the day after, also.
As a matter of fact, when I began posting here (close to a year ago), It was one of my biggest concerns. "Why was I twitching a day or two after? "Why not right away?".
Anyway, I'll probably never stop twitching if I finish the half marathon (notice I said IF I finish lol) I may end up walking most of it, but that's okay.
I agree, exercise does something for my spirits (not to mention my waistline)!
Ginny
)
My twitches are worse the day after, also.
As a matter of fact, when I began posting here (close to a year ago), It was one of my biggest concerns. "Why was I twitching a day or two after? "Why not right away?".
Anyway, I'll probably never stop twitching if I finish the half marathon (notice I said IF I finish lol) I may end up walking most of it, but that's okay.
I agree, exercise does something for my spirits (not to mention my waistline)!
Ginny
)RipleyGates
Well-known member
No doubt, If you dont exercise,start.If you do Dont stop. I can not stress this enough. do not let this thing turn you into a couch potato. sometimes it almost seems like BFS is on a mission to turn us into useles human beings. Do not let this be the case make no mistake about it.This is a war we fight every day.One which we will not lose .
I went on a 30 min run on saturday. The longest I have ever run without stopping for a break. It felt great, though I am still paying the price today. 
Its just further proof that this thing is benign. The sooner we really believe it, the quicker I think we head to recovery-mentally and physically.
Its just further proof that this thing is benign. The sooner we really believe it, the quicker I think we head to recovery-mentally and physically.RipleyGates
Well-known member
Great Work Cutte keep it up, their is nothing like the high you get after a good workout. No matter how you twitch or ache afterwards,you know you are winning the war )
)RipleyGates
Well-known member
Sorry no suggestions,sounds like you are are taking pretty good care of youself. unfortunatly that is about all you can do. And that is a good thing. Dont let the fact that the twitching gets worse stop you. Mine started in my lower right ankle 10 years ago, and has now basically consumed me head to toe. But in that time I have acheived my 2nd degree black belt,and becme a part time instructor. So Never,Never Quit