With the New Year fast approaching everyone is making their resolutions for next year. If you are like many people your resolutions may very well include getting in shape. Gym memberships skyrocket in early January only to dwindle by early springtime. However, if you suffer from incontinence symptoms, you may not even consider adding this resolution to your list.
Well if working out is on your wish list, then do not let a little case of incontinence get in the way of finding your way to perfect fitness. On the one hand being fit can go a long way towards maintaining continence, so you may want to think about trying one of these suggestions to bring a workout back into your daily routine.
There are many causes of incontinence, and whether it is from an injury, surgery or even childbirth, you can still find a way to engage in the exercises that you enjoy by following three simple suggestions.
As you are working out all of your arm and leg muscles, remember to work out your pelvic floor muscles as well. By adding regular Kegel exercises to your routine, you will very likely be happily surprised with the results. To do your Kegel exercises simply contract the muscles that you normally use to stop the flow of urine. Hold the muscle tight for three seconds and then relax, and do a set of ten. Repeat them once in the morning and once at night to maintain what you have, and by adding them into your day several more times, you can improve the strength of your pelvic floor muscles.
Strong pelvic floor muscles keep your bladder working properly, so Kegel exercises are a great addition to your daily exercise routine. Be patient as you do your exercises, because it will probably take about four months for you to realize the full benefits of the Kegel exercises.
The second thing that you may want to try is bladder training where you set a timer and go to the bathroom every hour whether or not you feel you need to go. After about a week of going every hour, stretch your time by a half an hour. Keep doing this every week until you only need to go every four hours.
And the third thing that you can do is be mindful of your fluid intake before heading to the gym. Stay away from anything with caffeine since it may act as a diuretic and irritate your bladder. Both of these things can cause leaks. While you still need to stay hydrated while exercising, try not to hydrate to excess. You can fine tune the exact right amount of fluids that will keep you hydrated without adding undue pressure to your bladder.
By following these three guidelines, even if you suffer from urinary incontinence you can begin your New Year with the same resolution that you start with every year, and who knows, this year you may still be working out long past the spring thaw.
For the several months that it will take to build up your pelvic floor muscles, incontinence pads can give you the peace of mind that will let you enjoy a full workout. They come in a great variety of shapes, sizes, and absorbencies to deal with mild to severe incontinence, and they are comfortable, protect skin from irritation, and prevent stains on furniture and clothing. They can be worn by themselves inside regular underwear or can be used in conjunction with incontinence pants. DryForLife supplies incontinence pads with all of these qualities, allowing you the freedom to exercise to your heart’s content as you welcome the New Year.
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