Ulcerative Colitis and Exercise

Exercise and ulcerative colitis go hand in hand. Exercise can help reduce stress, as well as keep your body healthy...both of which are key to keeping ulcerative colitis and its flare-ups at bay. Exercise and working out can usually be done by people with ulcerative colitis, with or without active flare-ups. If you have ulcerative colitis, and intend to start a workout or exercise program, it is best to consult with your physician first.

For those that desire lighter workouts, walking, jogging, and yoga provide some great forms of exercises that can help reduce stress. While stress has not been proven to cause ulcerative colitis, it has been shown to dramatically make flare-up symptoms worse. Also keeping healthy and fit is crucial to enabling the body to remove waste in an optimal fashion.

People who want to workout, but are concerned about frequent bowel movements, can workout at home and exercise with the comfort and luxury of having a private restroom close by. This alleviates some concerns and fears of going to a gym, or exercising outdoors, with the uncertainty of not being able to find a restroom in time.

As a final note, personally I try to stay as fit as possible...not just for my ulcerative colitis, but for my well being so that I am around my wife and my daughter for as long as time will allow. Always, always consult with your physician or GI physician before entering into any kind of exercise or workout program.