What does overexertion mean to you?

• Patient 1: Overexertion to me can mean exercising or working out until I feel nauseous and being unable to resume work or

• Patient 2: Overexertion can easily happen because fatigue levels can often be high so I have to pace myself when I workout. I tend to find that if I overexert myself then I either end up nauseous/light-headed or too tired to do much the rest of the day. In extreme cases I have thrown up.

• Patient 3: I know I have overexerted myself when I crash after working out and cannot do anything but sleep the rest of the day. Or when I feel nauseous and don’t feel like eating for an extended period of time after exercising

 

How does exercise fit into your lifestyle?

• Patient 1: I like doing regular exercise in smaller intervals. I could never stick with the traditional workout plans suggested by bodybuilders and fitness coaches. I usually do not exercise for more than 30-40 minutes in a single day and some examples include cycling, treadmilling, low-impact dumbbell workouts, and bodyweight workouts (i.e. pushups and pullups).

• Patient 2: I like to exercise just to get my body moving since my levels of fatigue are often high naturally. When I move or exercise it helps me better regulate my energy levels/hunger levels as I am often lethargic and barely eat as a baseline. My levels of exercise depend on the day and I vary what I do based on pain I may be experiencing. Exercising in any capacity also helps me clear my mind and take time to get outside. 

• Patient 3: I like to work out for an hour a few times a week doing some low-intensity cardio and then weightlifting. It can be hard because of the time commitment, but it definitely makes me feel better mentally and physically

• Patient 4: Exercise definitely looks different depending on how I am feeling. Sometimes it is short high intensity interval workouts, sometimes low-intensity cardio, and sometimes longer distance running, but it is also taking breaks from having a routine when I need to. Having to change my physical activity has been hard though too. My family does a lot of intense and long outdoor activities and it is a big part of who I am and what I love doing. More recently, my IBD has been unpredictable and interfered with being able to do as much of this which has been difficult because it is what I want to be doing. 

• Patient 5: In high school, I was part of a competition dance team and in college I am now a member of a contemporary dance company on campus. At times when I have been more sick, it has definitely been difficult to manage doing so much physical activity, but it has always been worth it for me. Dancing helps my mental health a lot and helps me clear my mind, and I love being part of a team! I think it is definitely possible to continue with sports and dance after an IBD diagnosis, although it is always important to prioritize your physical wellbeing first.