---
title: Tips for MS and Exercise
date: 2012-05-22T17:17:21Z
modified: 2012-05-22T17:17:21Z
permalink: "https://elizabethyarnell.com/tips-for-ms-and-exercise/"
type: post
status: publish
excerpt: ""
wpid: 2154
categories:
  - Multiple Sclerosis
  - Weight Loss
tags:
  - dance and MS
  - Dr. Monica Marta
  - Dr. Walt Sholl
  - exercise + MS
  - exercise safety with MS
  - jan decourtney
  - Recapture your Health
  - Shift.ms
  - Sholl Foundation for Holistic Health
author: Elizabeth
---

I believe in the old adage “Use it or Lose it,” especially when it comes to a degenerative disease like Multiple Sclerosis but really for everyone.

My friend Jan DeCourtney at the [Stoll Foundation for Holistic Health](http://www.effortlesseating.com/2009/06/the-perfectly-whole-foods-diet-a-path-to-health/ "Stoll foundation for holistic health") co-authored a book with Dr. Walt Stoll called _[**Recapture Your Health**](http://elizabethyarnell.com/effortlesseating/2007/08/perfect-whole-foods-diet/ "recapture your health by Jan DeCourtney and Dr. Walt Stoll")_ in which they outline a recipe for health that includes three elements: 1. **diet**, 2. **exercise**, 3. [**relaxation**](http://elizabethyarnell.com/effortlesseating/2008/05/relaxation-at-the-cellular-level/ "relaxation cellular level"). If you are working toward achieving a healthy state, this should be your holy trinity.

In a video for [Shift.ms](http://shift.ms/ "Shift.ms online ms community"), an online community for those with MS, Dr. Monica Marta gives her [top 10 tips for exercising when you have a diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis](http://www.patient-experience.com/index.php/multiple-sclerosis-and-exercise-10-top-tips-from-dr-monica-marta/ "tips for exercising with MS"), but these tips are good for anyone hoping to begin an exercise routine when coming from a less-able place:

1. Keep active.
2. Suggested exercises: swimming, nordic walking, dancing.
3. Start slowly and build up.
4. Exercise through a relapse.
5. Don’t push it too hard.
6. Train to conserve energy so that you can go further.
7. Warm-up, stretch, and don’t forget the right kind of [relaxation](http://elizabethyarnell.com/effortlesseating/2008/05/relaxation-at-the-cellular-level/ "relaxation cellular level").
8. Incorporate exercise into your life.
9. Adjust your posture and body alignment.
10. Manage your expectations.

My favorite of her tips? Just dance! Dancing not only works your body but your brain, too. I’m a regular [Jazzerciser](http://www.jazzercise.com "Jazzercise"), but there are some great videos and video games (Wii, etc.) that can get you moving at home. Best of all: it’s fun!