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Most people who have arthritis are scared to exercise
because they think they will hurt themselves, but the
reality is the condition will only get worse if you don’t
get moving. The first step is to talk to your doctor and
then find a fitness program that works that you!
The most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis, when
cartilage begins to break down leaving the joint with no
cushion between the bones. Another form of arthritis that
affects most of us is rheumatoid arthritis which is
inflammation in the joints causing the joint to lose shape
and alignment.
After speaking with your doctor, find a program that makes
you feel good. Your doctor will probably suggest range of
motion exercises, strengthening exercises, aerobic exercise
and other activities.
Range of motion activities relieve stiffness and increase
your ability to move your joints through normal ranges like
raising your arms overhead, rolling your shoulders forward
and backward, bending over to touch your toes. These
exercises can be done every day or at least every other day.
Strengthening exercises build strong muscles that help to
support and protect your joints. Weight training is a great
example of strengthening exercise that helps you maintain
your current muscle strength or increase it. Do your
strengthening exercises every other day, but take an extra
day off if your joints are painful or if you notice any
swelling.
Aerobic exercise helps with your overall fitness, it
improves your cardiovascular health, helps you control your
weight and gives you more stamina, giving you more energy to
get through your day. Try to get 30 minutes of aerobic
exercise in daily.
Always listen to your body. Pain is not a part of being fit.
Any movement, no matter how small, can help with all forms
of arthritis.
A lot of my clients, including me, have some form of
arthritis. I have osteoarthritis in both of my knees. I
control my arthritic pain with medication, exercise, and
taking time to elevate and ice after every class.
I always tell my fitness sistas, if we don’t keep our bodies
healthy and active, as we age, we lose function! In other
words, if you don’t use it, you lose it. So lift your legs,
stretch your arms to the sky, bend over and touch your toes
every day. Stop giving arthritis power over the rest of your
life! Get up, get moving, and get back to living your best
life!!!!
Your Sista In Fitness!!!
Angela R. Steward
Owner/Creator of Fabulously Fittm
Certified Group Fitness Trainer & Healthy Living Motivator
Certified Weight Loss & Nutrition Consultant
FABULOUSLY FIT
1855 S. Reynolds Rd., Suite C
(Diamond Plaza - in plaza with Olive Garden)
Toledo, OH 43614
Email: Fabfitu@yahoo.com
Cell: (419) 699-9399
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