Tag Archives: Arthritis

Fitness Ideas for Baby Boomers

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Like many baby boomers, consumer expert Kate Forgach remembers the glory days of Jane Fonda, leg warmers and the explosion of group exercise classes.

While it’s easy to reminisce about the crazy workout clothes and popular exercises that since then have been deemed unsafe (lat pulldowns behind the head), Forgach, 55, stresses boomers should not keep exercise a thing of the past.

More than ever, she says, this generation needs to stay active – for the many health benefits and beyond.

“The older you get, the more your muscles stiffen up,” says the Fort Collins, Colo.-based writer for http://www.kinoliinc.com, “and, with exercise, you can help keep arthritis pain at bay, as well as depression and anxiety.”

Forgach says her mantra is “pain means no gain.”

“I’m always looking for low-impact workouts that don’t hurt my wallet,” she adds. “Fortunately, there always seems to be a new exercise trend designed specifically for my generation.”

Here are five healthy and money-saving tips Forgach has learned on her journey to physical fitness:

1. Venture outside. “Walking is a big one out there, as well as bicycling,” explains Forgach. “The reason I like walking is it’s not as hard on the joints, and you can do it in tandem with someone else.”

She cites an article in AARP reporting overweight people who walk 30 minutes per day, five days per week can reduce their risk of diabetes by nearly 60 percent.

2. Create an at-home gym with exercise DVDs. “I do mat Pilates and yoga on my own,” says Forgach, who learned both practices from DVDs.

She urges people to look for DVDs that “are highly instructive” and give the proper cues: “abs drawn in” and “shoulders down,” for instance.

“I think mat Pilates is low stress and once you learn the format, it’s easy to do on your own,” she says, “and it’s so good for flexibility and the core.”

3. Visit the library. Forgach suggests exploring the library shelves and checking out fitness DVDs to find the instructor and exercise format that appeals most to you.

When you’re ready to start your DVD library and make a purchase, search online for coupons.

At  www.CouponSherpa.com  a featured brand of the Kinoli Inc. family of websites, many online offers are available for Barnes & Noble.

(FYI: Fitness enthusiast Fonda’s latest DVD, “Prime Time – Trim, Tone & Flex” was on sale at the bookseller’s website Friday for $9.25. A 38 percent savings.)

4. Aim for variety in your routines. “It’s really important to mix up what you do,” says Forgach. “Sometimes I take a yoga class so I am not doing the same thing over and over.” This also prevents boredom and challenges different muscle groups.

5. Hit the garage sales. When Forgach says she and her friends shopped these sales years ago, they were looking to score a Presto Burger hamburger cooker, which made its debut in 1974. Nowadays, the group makes it a game to see who first can spot a set of weights. 

By Robin McMacken  (Staff Writer)

~Source: http://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/lifestyles/health/5-fitness-ideas-for-baby-boomers-1/nMyMr/

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Facts/Myths About Arthritis Tips

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The Meaning Of Arthritis

There are many people who don’t know what the word arthritis means. Arth means joint. Itis means inflammation.

Elderly Adults

One of the most common myths about arthritis is that only elderly adults develop arthritis. That is so not true. All ages of people get arthritis, including children.

All Ages

Arthritis affects one in every seven Americans. What most people don’t realize is that arthritis doesn’t just affect elderly adults. Arthritis affects people of all ages, including children.

Moving

Many people think that if you move to a warmer, drier climate it can cure your arthritis, but this is just another myth. Arthritis occurs in all parts of the world. Many people do notice that a difference in the weather can cause their arthritis to flare, but for most people, moving to a different climate does not make a big enough difference to move. 

 Different Ways

Arthritis affects different people in different ways. Some people think if you have arthritis you have stiffness, fatigue, swelling of the joints, etc. Most people have those symptoms at some point, but it depends on the person. People respond to different treatments differently.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. It affects more than 20 million people.

How to Tell If You Have Arthritis

Arthritis has many warning signs you can watch for, such as: pain, stiffness, occasional swelling, and difficulty moving a joint. If you have these signs for more than two weeks you need to get to your doctor. Only a doctor can diagnose you with arthritis.

Medication Cures

Common arthritis medications can cure arthritis. This is another myth. Although many common arthritis medications can improve your health and help keep your arthritis under control, there is still no arthritis medication that can completely cure your arthritis.

                                             Not Serious

One common myth is that arthritis is not a serious health problem. Arthritis is a serious health problem. Arthritis is the most common type of chronic disease. Arthritis affects one in every six Americans.

Exercise

A common myth about arthritis is that people with arthritis should not exercise. This is not true. Everybody needs exercise, even people with arthritis. Exercise is very important to people with arthritis. Exercise helps keep your joints moving, keep the muscles around your joints strong, and improves your overall health.

~If all one can do when coping with arthritis is ‘walk’ that alone is helpful for the body~ I do apologize for not keeping note of the site where I found this information. My neck is full of arthritis and my lower back has degenerative tissue. I am a huge believer in fitness and doing an exercise workout. I enjoy my power walks and going to the GYM and just feel better than if I were to just sit and be inactive.

 

 

Being Appreciative

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The clock on this quote shows about the time I am awake to get ready for my GYM Workout. Early mornings work best for me.

Once I get up and walk the kinks out I am on my way. I was in a car accident a few years ago and live with chronic pain in my upper back and arthritic neck due to disc damage.  My left knee is arthritic under the knee cap and a large benign tumor on the side of it.

A new injury in my left arm and rotator cuff has set me back a wee bit. I am not perfect! There are days that I do get frustrated with pain. As one dear friend explained to me that this is the ‘new me’.

 I deal with it all quite well as I have  terrific support from my Hubby and family. The determination is there for me to never allow the pain to consume me. That is why I think of myself as a ‘strong Lady’. I will deal with it the best I can and come out of it “the winner”.

I truly believe that my “attitude” towards the pain is important.

I am not a “woe is me” kind of Lady. With the different aches and pains I shared I only hope to inspire others to take care of your body the best you can.

I will continue with my workouts, power walks and going to the GYM as long as I am able. Keeping my muscles strong helps all the other issues.

My gratitudes are still many! I am most grateful that I am able to attend a GYM and still do the workouts that I do. The weights have been lighter to help my muscles and not aggravate the shoulder.

Happy Monday Everybody. Thank you to all  my fantastic followers and to all of you that stop in from time to time to ‘like’ a post or just to take a ‘peek’. I appreciate every comment I receive.  I started my little Blog in January and was so nervous and at times still am. I have 107 followers and over 5000 hits as of today and with that I am grateful.

There is so much to learn and am having fun learning new things every day.

Stress Eraser!

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POP Vitamin C!

When German Scientists asked volunteers to take vitamin C, then step into a stressful situation (giving a public speech), they discovered those taking the antioxidant didn’t suffer the same spikes in stress as those who didn’t take C.

In fact, they reported feeling fearless, calm and confident!

Here’s why: Your adrenal glands are loaded with C, and making sure stores of this vitamin never go too low prevents the glands from overproduced stress hormones. What’s more, C naturally spurs oxytocin production, say researchers.

Aim for 1,000 mg. daily.

Ease Joint Pain!

 

 

 

 

Results of the Framingham Osteoarthritis Cohort Study prove that folks eating fruits high in vitamin C, such as oranges, were three times less likely to suffer from osteoarthritis compared to those who didn’t! Why? C destroy the free radical molecules that can damage connective tissue.

~Source: Women’s World Magazine~

~Source: Image: www.freedigitalphotos.net

 

Don’t Just Sit

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Achy Joints? I have to admit I have my share of aches and pains from time to time. I was in a car accident a few years back and received damage to my neck and upper back. My left knee has issues from arthritis under the knee cap and a benign tumor on the side. With my specialist and my doctor’s blessing I am able to continue my workouts and my walks. It only helps my body as with keeping my muscles strong it at least gives my body some muscle tone and dulls the pain.

The sun is shining and I did get my sweat going on. I so enjoy my walks. A gratitude in itself that I have two legs that allow me to walk with ease.

What do most people do on cold, short days? The answer usually is “stay inside and stay warm”.  One more “stay” can be added: stay inside, stay warm and stay active.  It seems as soon as the days get shorter, people with arthritis spend three extra hours indoors. Doing what? Sitting around.

When you don’t move, your joints get stiffer, even if you don’t have arthritis. Activity keeps them flexible and strengthens muscles, which acts as support systems for joints.

Hours of sitting messes up your blood sugar and blood pressure, and ups your odds of breast and colon cancer.

Here are a few things we can do:

*Get an exercise bike. It can even be put in front of the tv. I do own a treadmill and use it on rainy days.

*Buy a pedometer. I have used my pedometer around my home just to see how many steps I do in a day. Aim for 10,000 minimum daily. I use my pedometer out my walks. This morning I did 7765 steps. A multi tasked gal that gets much done in my day I know I get my steps in and plus some.

*Wii Fit can be so fun! Bowl, golf, tennis, baseball and all the exercises that one can get to use with their Wii. Burn those calories.

*Order walk-at-home Leslie Sansone’s “Walk This Way” DVD. There are many to choose from, Leslie is my favorite. Great workout!

Yes. Our bodies are meant to keep moving. I do find with being active that it does help me in so many ways. It does makes me feel good!!

I am a morning person and love my early workouts. Great way to start my day with those “feel good endorphins”.