You have lipedema, pain, and hardened fatty tissue, and the last thing you can imagine right now is exercise? I can understand that very well. Motivating yourself for a workout session is sometimes hard enough, but then with challenging conditions called lipedema fat…?

It can be a true challenge. But especially with lipedema, exercise and sports are of crucial importance. Regular exercise can improve your quality of life, supports your lymphatic flow, and can help to reduce your pain. Furthermore, sports promote circulation, improve your overall fitness, and you feel much better mentally.

Of course, exercise combined with a healthy and balanced diet can also help with weight loss, which in turn reduces the strain on the joints.

But don't worry, you don't have to become a professional athlete or start with intense strength training right away.

Here are a few suitable sports for those of us affected by lipedema:

Spinning/Cycling
I love cycling. It is easy on the joints, strengthens the leg muscles, and improves your endurance. Cycling can help promote your lymph flow and can thus reduce pain and swelling in cases of lipedema.

Yoga/Pilates
This is more about gentle movements, stretching, and strengthening the deep muscles. You get to know yourself, your limits, and your body better, and you also promote lymph flow and can relieve tension.

Swimming
Moving in water with lipedema is simply pleasant. Weightless and free through the water. Swimming is excellent for us women with lipedema. The joints are relieved, swimming acts like a gentle lymphatic drainage, strengthens your muscles, and stimulates lymph flow.

Similar to swimming is water aerobics. There are predetermined exercises that can be performed individually. Water aerobics has the same effect as swimming for lipedema.

Walking/Hiking/Nordic Walking
If the above-mentioned sports do not appeal to you, you can start by going for a walk or trying Nordic Walking. Here, poles are used for support, which relieves your joints and involves your upper body. This strengthens your muscles and improves your endurance.

Just see for yourself what you find comfortable and feasible with lipedema. Don't overwhelm yourself, start slowly and above all enjoy the sport you do. Exercise with lipedema can definitely help you and alleviate symptoms.

I personally love spinning and notice significant differences because of it. For example, I have less pain and generally feel fitter. I also really enjoy doing yoga. I just see how I feel and then adjust my exercise accordingly.

Have fun trying it out :)

All the best for you,

Talia