Exercising with O/A hips

[FabFitFifties]

I've always walked lot's-kept it up for reasonable time after dog died, but it trailed off without him to motivate me. Other issues, have then led to a few months of complete inactivity, other than pilates once a week. During this time of inactivity, I have had blessed relief from painful /stiff hips. But it's just not me. Apart from swimming, what else will get me fit, whilst avoiding a return to previous pain levels?

I have osteoarthritis and lift weights. Building up the muscles that support the joints reduces daily pain. I had a 3 month break due to having baby and c-section last year, my joints felt more and more painful during that break. My pain reduced massively once I was back in the gym.

Chely - thanks for that. Yes, I am planning some weights, as well as increasing pilates, but will need some aerobic exercise too,that doesn't aggravate hips. Do you have trouble with your hips?

I have trouble with most joints, hands and knees are the worst. My right hip has been worse since pregnancy, slowly regaining pre-pregnancy strength levels (very slowly on squats).
Only cardio I do is walking atm, I do have a static bike which is not too bad on my joints (it's buried in the garage atm).

That's really helpful to hear that you have found a bike OK. I can't ride an actual bike, but have a large garage so could try a stationary. I'll try that with short walks, rather than the all day rambles of old. Good luck with getting back to pre pregnancy strength. I walked like I'd lost my horse for 2 years after having my son at nearly 42, because I climbed over a fence in very late pregnancy 🙄I thought I was knackered for good, but after 2 years I was suddenly OK. sounds like you know what you are doing. Listening to your body and moderation is key, I think.

I'm looking to get into swimming as have a (2 years now ) dodgy hip after running. I think it's an injury but 3 physios have failed to fix it. What does OA in the hip feel like? Mine aches and when very bad my quads are too painful to bear. When it's just ok it's just a bit sore on the outside of my hip.

Daily yoga helps. I walk (dog!) but it definitely aggravates it . DD and I like city breaks but I'm basically crippled by day 3 which js a bummer . I might start taking anti inflammatories on days when I'm walking all day. I'm hoping swimming will help if I stick to crawl?

My hips will let me do an 8 mile walk, but then, after sitting in the car for a 1/2 hour drive home, or whatever, I can hardly get out of car and walk into house, due to stiffness and pain. If I keep moving though it eases off again. I'm the same if I've sat writing reports all day - hobble around when I get up.Usually, I'm driving around and in and out of the car at work - those days are better. Before my recent spell of inactivity, they also hurt in bed. That's all stopped, whilst a couch potato. But, obviously I don't want to be a couch potato. They are noisy in pilates, bit of crunching going on - but then again the class is a bit of a percussion section, with various people's knees, shoulders, spines, you name it 😂

Have you tried yoga as well? Yoga with adriene has helped me a lot. In January my pain went completely doing her move programme. It's come back this month despite daily yoga so I'm returning to they specific programme again for April.

I suspect mine is different as inactivity makes me achy. Actually driving I've noticed is a real trigger for big discomfort. Long walks definitely are too but a couple of dog walks a day seem ok. No idea what it is but it seems a case of managing it not solving it at this point.

My Nan had OA and just gave up and was very immobile so you're right to keep pushing yourself