“Staying Active With Arthritis”

PLAY VIDEO GAMES: Grab a gaming system but get off the couch. Research suggests some sports video games may burn as many calories as a brisk walk. In a study funded by Nintendo, the Wii Sports tennis, baseball, and boxing games all qualified as moderate-intensity exercise. For joint flexibility and to improve your range of motion with arthritis, try your hand at balance games and yoga exercises.

GET YOUR DOG AND START WALKING: An eager dog can be the perfect cure for couch potato syndrome. He can keep you company and keep you motivated during your daily walks. Because walking keeps your joints flexible and your muscles strong, this low-impact, weight-bearing exercise is a good choice for people with arthritis. Research also suggests dog owners tend to have lower blood pressure and cholesterol than their pet-less peers.

WASH YOUR CAR: Washing your car offers the chance to get a workout and clean car at the same time. But don't just stand there spraying the hose at your windshield. You need to get your heart working. That means soaping up a rag and scrubbing your car from bumper to bumper. An hour's worth of hearty work can burn more than 300 calories for a 155-pound person.

MAKE A PLAY DATE: If you have kids, grandkids, or babysit for neighbors, make your time with them as active as possible. Playing hide and seek or exploring a park can be an active, low-impact workout. For people with arthritis of the hands, board games, puzzles, and crafts are not only kid-friendly activities but they may also help keep your fingers limber. For the greatest benefit, arrange regular play dates a few times a week.

CARRY YOUR GROCERIES: Make the most of your supermarket trip by carrying your groceries in the store and to your car. The weight adds intensity to walking and helps strengthen your upper body. Carry your bags across your arms to protect your hands. For an extra challenge, carry your bags up steps. Research suggests people who can carry groceries and climb stairs are less likely to have a stroke than those who can't.

CLEAN YOUR HOUSE: Don’t dread housework; it's a way to avoid the gym. Cleaning the floor counts as moderate exercise because it raises your heart rate and makes you breathe faster. Other good exercise: washing windows, hanging laundry, and cleaning the bathroom. To protect your joints: Alternate motions and the hands you use. Don't overextend your reach, and bend with your knees to save your back. Consider knee pads for kneeling.

DANCE THROUGH YOUR CHORES: Some household chores, like unloading the dishwasher, don't raise your heart rate on their own. But you can kick things up a notch by putting on music and moving! Try dancing while dusting, vacuuming, cooking, or putting away dishes. The trick is to use music you love, so you'll have fun while working up a sweat.

TEND YOUR GARDEN: Gardening can provide a surprisingly well-rounded workout. Wielding a rake or shovel can strengthen your muscles, improve flexibility, and raise your heart rate. An hour of weeding or digging is great for endurance, too. To avoid stooping, use long-handled tools or build raised garden beds. As a bonus, whether your focus is on tending flowers or fruit, you’ll have something to show for your efforts.

FIND FITNESS FRIENDS: Instead of planning lunch dates, suggest meeting friends for a brisk walk through the mall or a park. While you may be tempted to shrug off a solo workout, you will be less likely to stand up a friend. And being active can help you meet weight loss or goals if you have them. If you're overweight, losing extra pounds can help reduce arthritis pain -- especially in the knees.

VOLUNTEER YOUR TIME: Help yourself and other people by taking on volunteer projects that benefit both mind and body. Consider walking dogs at the local animal shelter, planting trees, coaching a youth sports team, or building houses. Studies show that older adults who volunteer regularly have a greater sense of well-being than those who don't.

HIKE OR BIKE ON YOUR NEXT OUTING: You may be in the habit of driving everywhere, no matter how close your destination. But think about some of your favorite places -- stores, restaurants, the library, parks. Are any of them close enough to reach safely by bike or foot? If so, you'll get exercise while saving gas money. In addition, biking is easy on your joints while still giving you a good workout.

TAKE THE STAIRS: When you head toward an elevator, think before using it. By taking the stairs, you can weave exercise into your daily routine without setting aside time for a workout. However, if you have knee osteoarthritis -- a condition that affects nearly one in two people before age 85 -- your health care provider may suggest that you consider another form of exercise.

PARK IN THE LAST SPOT: Walking is one of the best forms of exercise for arthritis, so find ways to fit it into your day. Whether you're driving to the mall, office, or supermarket, make a habit of parking in the spot farthest from the entrance. Then power walk to the front door. When this becomes too easy, try parking a couple of blocks away from your destination. Wear a pedometer to see how much ground you’ve covered.

TAKE A CLASS: Like working out in a social setting? Sign up for a class. You'll have a regular exercise time and place, plus a group of people who expect to see you. Remember, a fitness class doesn't have to mean aerobics. Always wanted to learn karate or salsa dancing? Look for a class that will keep you coming back. Or join a walking group or masters swim team. Both walking and swimming are especially easy on the joints.

ADD UP YOUR EXERCISE TIME: You don't have to do all your exercises at once. It’s OK to do it in 10-minute spurts. If you're new to exercise, aim to be active 15 to 20 minutes a day, three days a week. Then work up to 30 minutes every day. The key is doing activities that will work your large muscle groups, quickening your breathing and heart rate. Unsure about which activities may be best for you? Ask your doctor.

REVIEWED BY: Tyler Wheeler, MD on October 14, 2018, WebMD

REFERENCES:

WebMD Health News: "Wii Games Burn Calories Like a Brisk Walk," "Real-World Fitness May Cut Stroke Risk."

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise: "Healthy Aging: Physical Vitality," "Quick Tips: Fitting Physical Activity Into Your Day," "Fitness: Staying Active When You Have Young Children," "Emotional and Mental Vitality."

Arthritis Today: "Wii Fitness: Making Home Exercise Equipment Fun," "Having Fun With the Grandchildren," "Make Needlework Finger-Friendly," "Simplify Household Chores," "Gardening Tips for Everyone," "Knee Osteoarthritis: New Study Shows Higher Risk."

WebMD Feature: "5 Ways Pets Can Improve Your Health," "Get Fit by Gardening," "10 Easy Ways to Make Exercise a Habit," "Family Fitness Made Fun." "What's Your Workout Personality?"

BBC News: "Dog Owners 'Lead Healthier Lives," "Diets for the Ages."

Arthritis Foundation: "Walking," "Protect Your Joints," "Daily Physical Activity Lessens Severity of Arthritis."

Harvard Medical School: "Calories burned in 30 minutes for people of three different weights."

CDC: "General Physical Activities Defined by Levels of Intensity."

Medline Plus: "Arthritis."

The John Hopkins Arthritis Center: "Osteoarthritis Weight Management."

American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons: "Arthritis of the Knee."

National Institutes of Health, Division of Nutrition Research Coordination: "General Guidance for Pedometer Use."

WebMD Medical Reference provided in collaboration with the Cleveland Clinic: "Arthritis: Exercise to Treat Arthritis.

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The Goal is to Always Make You Aware of What Concerns Your Body, Soul and Spirit, So You Can Have Open, Honest and Frequent Discussions With Your Physicians and Counselors. You Can’t Treat or Cure What You Don’t Know is Sick.

"It's Not Selfish to Love Yourself, Take Care of Yourself and to Make Your Happiness a Priority. It's a Necessity." (Mandy Hale)

"Self-Care is Not Selfish. You Cannot Serve From an Empty Vessel." (Eleanor Brown)

The contents of the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites, such as text, graphics, images, and other material contained on the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites ("Content") are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites!

If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned on the Sites. Reliance on any information provided by WebMD, WebMD employees, others appearing on the Site at the invitation of WebMD, and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine or other visitors to the Sites is solely at your own risk.  

“Ways to Improve Your Balance”

TAI CHI: Studies show tai chi, a gentle exercise often called “meditation in motion,” can help you cut down on falls if you’re older and having balance issues. A skilled teacher can show you the slow, precise movements that help you not only find more stability, but boost your overall health and mood, too.

ONE-LEGGED STAND: Start by holding yourself steady on the back of a chair or another sturdy handhold. Lift one foot to about calf level and hold for 10 seconds. Repeat 10-15 times and then switch to the other leg. Over time, as your balance gets better, you may be able to hold this position with your hands free.

WEIGHT SHIFTS: Standing with your feet hip-width apart, lean slowly toward one leg until it’s bearing all your weight while lifting your other leg off the ground. Hold for up to 30 seconds, then move to the other side.

YOGA AND PILATES: To keep your balance, you need muscles that can hold you steady as you stand, walk, or make other movements. You might know these as your “core muscles.” Yoga and Pilates include moves that help you stretch and strengthen them. Check with your doctor before you start. To learn the moves properly, it’s a good idea to join a nearby class taught by a certified instructor.

HEEL-TO-TOE: Walk slowly in a straight line, touching your heel to the opposite foot’s toe as you go. Go about 20 paces, using a wall for support if you feel unsteady.

BACK-LEG RAISES: To build up your lower back and buttocks, try lifting your back leg while standing straight. Hold a chair and raise one leg backward without bending your knee or pointing your toe. Keep your anchor leg slightly bent. Hold your position for 1 second. Do this 10-15 times with the first leg before moving on to the other one.

KNEE CURL: Once again holding the back of a chair with a slightly bent anchor leg, lift the other leg straight back, then raise your heel toward your buttocks. Keep your hips still. Hold for 1 second before slowly lowering your foot to the floor. Repeat 10-15 times and then switch to your other leg.

TOE STAND: Also called calf raises or heel raises, this exercise can help make your calf and ankle muscles stronger for a balance boost. Hold a chair or wall to keep you from falling, and stand with your feet shoulder width apart. Raise up to your tiptoes and hold for 1 second before lowering. Repeat 10-15 times. Rest, then do another set.

SQUATS: To make your leg and pelvis muscles stronger, practice squats. Stand with your feet slightly wider than your hips with your toes pointed forward. Bend your knees and send your bottom backwards, as if you’re sitting down. Keep your weight in your heels and your arms either out in front of you or on your thighs. Raise back up and repeat 10 times. If that proves too hard, you can try to slowly sit in a chair from a standing position without using your hands.

SIDE STEPS: Slide sideways using small steps that move your legs apart and then together. Go across a room and back to target both sides of your body. This movement builds up your hip and thigh muscles.

BACK EXTENSION: Lie on your stomach with your forehead facing the floor and your arms at your sides, palms up. Continue to look down (looking up will strain your neck) as you slowly lift your head and arms 1-2 inches off the floor. Hold for several seconds and then lower down gently. Do sets of 10 to strengthen your back and spine.

CHECK YOUR BALANCE: To get a better idea about how strong your standing balance is, lift one foot and see how long you can hold it there. To test your balance as you move, try walking as if you’re on a tightrope for 10 steps and see how you fare. Balance exercises should improve both of these measurements over time.

Reviewed By: Sabrina Felson, MD, WebMD, on April 10, 2019

Mayo Clinic: “Tai Chi: A gentle way to fight stress,” “Balance exercises,” “Pilates for beginners: Explore the Core.”
National Institute on Aging: “Tai Chi,” “How to Prevent Falls and Improve Balance.”
Harvard Health: “Easy ways to improve your balance.”
American Heart Association: “Balance Exercise.”
International Osteoporosis Foundation: “How to improve your balance.”

Much Love, Dr.Shermaine, #InformativeRead #PleaseShare #HealthyBodySoulAndSpirit #IWantYou2LiveWell #FeelFree2SignUpAndFollow

The Goal is to Always Make You Aware of What Concerns Your Body, Soul and Spirit, So You Can Have Open, Honest and Frequent Discussions With Your Physicians and Counselors. You Can’t Treat or Cure What You Don’t Know is Sick.

"It's Not Selfish to Love Yourself, Take Care of Yourself and to Make Your Happiness a Priority. It's a Necessity." (Mandy Hale)

"Self-Care is Not Selfish. You Cannot Serve From an Empty Vessel." (Eleanor Brown)

The contents of the Health Magazine and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites, such as text, graphics, images, and other material contained on the Health Magazine and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites ("Content") are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the Health Magazine and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites!

If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. Health Magazine and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned on the Sites. Reliance on any information provided by Health Magazine, Health Magazine employees, others appearing on the Site at the invitation of Health Magazine, and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine or other visitors to the Sites is solely at your own risk.