Hi. I used to work out for 2 hours, 5days a week and then since the diagnoses of my RA and the pain/inflamation I have been unable too. I love to do cardio and weights. Between the pain and the swelling I have been very tired too. Now that the swelling has gone down, and some of the pain....I am wondering when can I go back to working out. My doc says light biking or swimming but no weights. I feel so lazy just not doing any type of working out. Plus I worked hard at getting so in shape and now......I know that sounds so selfish but it is true.

Does anyone know if it is really bad to lift weights (light ones of course) when you are in the middle of a flare just diagnosed with RA? I am in some pain today but I am hoping if I go work out it will pick me up a bit and I can fight through it. Or am I just in denial that RA is serious and I need to think of that first???

the general advise now is use it or lose it, in other words, exercise will do you more good than rest, use your common sense, of course

When I am in the middle of a bad flare up with RA, working out is the last thing on my mind. Just being able to move around pain-free takes all my concentration.

But, when it's in remission, and my meds have it under control, I go back to working out - which includes using weights. Excercise releases 'feel good' endorphines in your brain/body...that's why you hear of people getting so addicted to exercise, running, etc.

If it makes you feel good, and does not cause you pain on your joints, then try it - just take it slow, and stop when it hurts.