Kidney stones are small masses of minerals and acids found in the kidneys. The condition can be very painful, and treatment typically only involves pain medications and lots of water until you are able to pass a stone. Once you have a kidney stone, you are at an increased risk of developing more. By resuming a regular exercise routine after kidney stones, you can decrease your chances of a recurrence.
Step 1
Take a daily brisk walk. Start with moderate exercise if you have not worked out since being diagnosed with kidney stones. As you build up your endurance, you can participate in more physically taxing activities, such as jogging, running and tennis.
Step 2
Increase the time that you spend exercising at a gradual pace. Take a 5- to 10-minute walk at first after passing a stone. Every couple of days, add another five minutes onto the time you spend exercising. Thirty minutes should be your goal time after kidney stone recovery. According to MotherNature.com, people who are not active have a tendency to build up calcium deposits in their bodies and increase the chances of a kidney stone recurrence.
Step 3
Drink a lot of water while exercising. Inadequate water intake is one of the causes of kidney stones. Fill a large sports bottle with water and sip it throughout your workout session. If you are prone to stones, aim to drink approximately one gallon of water per day.
Step 4
Take breaks. As you ease back into your normal exercise routine, take frequent breaks during your workouts. Every 10 to 15 minutes, take a water break.
Tips and Warnings
- Once a kidney stone has passed while urinating, let your doctor know. He'll instruct you to stop the pain medications. He may recommend that you wait one to two weeks before resuming exercise.
