My exercise routine has certainly changed since I was first diagnosed with osteoarthritis 29 years ago. I enjoyed taking long walks, and since I didn’t drive, I got a lot of exercise just by taking the bus and walking to and from work. I was in pain from the moment I sat down at my desk, so I walked every break and lunchtime.
Now, walking is uncomfortable, and I have a torn meniscus that makes both knees swell up like a basketball.
I had a gym membership for about a year, and I would ride the recumbent bike. One incredible bonus was that it came with a small TV that I could watch. I loved combining exercise with my daily soap opera.
I like the rowing machine, but it’s shared with others, so I never feel like I get a good workout.
If you have arthritis, you may feel unable to exercise due to the pain and stiffness it causes. However, there are plenty of exercises you can do that will not only keep you healthy, but may even reduce the symptoms of arthritis.
Now, I do my workouts at home. I lift weights and have lost a significant amount of inches from my waist and thighs, which is always a plus in my book.
Making the Most of Home Workouts:
Save Money
Have you recently priced a gym membership? When I went to the gym, I thought the price was higher than a cat’s back. My husband, Mark, still works out at the gym, and the monthly price keeps increasing.
If you have a DVD player at home, pop in an exercise workout and start moving your body. I like Leslie Sansone’s walking DVD, but there are many other options, and they are usually under $20.
If you have a pinched pocketbook, try the free exercise videos on YouTube.
Invest in supportive shoes and explore the outside world. The combination of fresh air and exercise is a real mood brightener.
Increase Your Confidence
You can concentrate much more quickly at home than at the gym, where you listen to blaring music and loud voices. If you have ever taken a spin class, the music is cranked up so loud, and the instructor is constantly yelling at the class to go faster, feel the burn, and so on. You may develop hearing loss if you are regularly exposed to loud noises.
Of course, it is hard when you compare yourself to others who look so tanned and buff. I have certainly felt that way, but all you can do is be the best that you can be, and getting in shape will help increase your confidence.
Exercise in a More Germ-Free Environment
Have you ever watched the guys lift weights? I liked to see how much weight they could press.
However, all that exercise works up a sweat. You are supposed to wipe down the equipment after using it, but not everyone is so courteous.
Germs can spread quickly, so exercising at home is a perfect alternative.
Better Time Management
You’ve probably noticed that the gym gets crowded at certain times of the day. The early morning hours are crowded with people wanting to work out before work.
If you can’t work out because the gym is too crowded, you may lose motivation to exercise and start skipping workouts.
The best part of working out at home is that you will always have the option to start when you’re ready. If you’re an early bird like me, you may want to shake your booty in the wee hours of the morning.
You Don’t Have to Dress Up
I sleep in my sweat clothes and don’t always feel like getting dressed first thing in the morning. I have a stationary bike, and my timing is perfect when I feel ready to exercise.
Summary
A gym membership has its perks, and you may decide that you need exercise discipline in a structured setting. Only you can determine what is right for your situation.
If you prefer dancing to the beat at home, play your favorite music and start a dance party. Lift weights, go for a walk, it’s all up to you.
