Any Members with Arthritis???

MelissaGraham7

yep. I'm 57 with arthritis in pretty much every joint. Friends and relatives ask how I exercise when it hurts? Fact is, it hurts less with exercise and exercise is one of the best things you can do for your arthritis because not only does it make the joints more mobile by stimulating the synovial fluid, but it also strengths the muscles around the joints which in turn helps move the joints. Motion of the joints is what helps arthritis. Just get it into it slowly. If you just walk to the end of your driveway and back, that's a starting point. Increase a little every day.....before you know it, you'll feel that much better. You are way too young to even begin thinking about limiting yourself because of arthritis. You'll end up with a poor quality of life. Get MOVING!!!

itsuki

I have arthritis too, mostly in my knees (I'm 25 and I've had it since I was 19 or so). I will second the recommendation of using an elliptical. It's the only machine I can use that doesn't cause me intense pain. I've also found that doing a really thorough stretch before hand helps as well.

cakeums

I have rheumatoid arthritis. When a joint hurts, I rest it. I was attempting push ups the other day and my wrists were SCREAMING, so I stopped. If I'm having trouble with my knees, I avoid things like squats. If my shoulders are killing me then I'm not going to do anything to aggravate it. I do feel less stiffness when I move around enough, so things like walking are good. I love to run, but have been dealing with tons of lower leg pain when I do it so that is more of a treat than anything else.

Basically, I just try to stay smart about it. I have gained a considerable amount of weight in the last two years (about 33lbs to my high weight) and that is when I've had my worst flares...when I can't move like I'd like to, I get depressed or anxious and end up eating like crap too.

efcmama

I have arthritis in my feet and back (SI joint). I go to a deep water workout, which has minimal impact on the joints, but because of the resistance of the water, I get a good workout. I can walk quite well (running/jogging is out...) and even just walking from the train to my home instead of taking the bus has helped!

Good luck!

alfpalmer

I do - in both ankles. Wishing for an anklectomy some days! Can't help but think losing weight will only help it. Like many others its aggravated by cold and damp but somedays - its just anything that aggravates it.

natalieg0307

I do. I find the more active I am, the better I feel. There are lots of things I can't do when exercising. I can't do EXACTLY what is on the DVD or in the aerobics class. I have to modify. But that's okay as long as i'm still moving.

Weather makes a difference how I feel too. Some days are better than others. But I try to keep moving. It's worse when I do nothing.