ModeratedUser150120149

Just came off six weeks of an enforced sedentary life. I got in some weights and elliptical trainer and all that. But the feet and ankles started swelling. Weight would vary several pounds from day to day.

Finally! Day before yesterday got in a 10 mile ride. Then yesterday did another short ride, 13 miles.

This morning no swelling. Feet and ankles plus much of the rest of my body are normal; well as normal as they can be after all the rough treatment over the years.

Apparently, moving those legs for that time moved the fluids out of the legs through me and output.

Only question is: Will I be able to maintain over time? Right now I weigh19 pounds more than I did when I graduated from High School 60 years ago. And I didn't lift weights and that kind of stuff then. I am hopeful all the excess skin that is drooping will continue to droop, or maybe with time shrink.

One more reason to ride a bike!

Dirt Road

19 lbs? 19 LBS? Wow! I only weigh, let's see, 41 more lbs! I would think it's just the activity that helped with the swelling. I know I've seen older folks (older than me, anyway), who look like that way in the morning but much better after a short walk or just getting out and about. Elevation helps, too, I hear, but you know that. I sorta want to get an elliptical, too. I read that it's the cardio exercise with the LEAST perceived effort.

FBinNY 

yes, regular moderate exercise of the leg muscles help work blood and fluids up out of the legs and back toward the heart. It's basically a plumbing problem The heart is avove out legs, and pumps blood out throughout the body, but gravity slows the return flow to from the lower extremities. There are backflow check valves in out leg's veins, but they still need some help to push that blood back up, and that's where good muscle tone comes in.

Not saying you'll never get fat ankles and swollen feet, but as long as you keep moving, you'll do better than if you stop.