Osteoarthritis

1. Have your "routine" written down on a piece of paper or a card. If you have instructions with little pictures, that's great, but even if you don't, just make a list and say:
-- neck rolls, 6 to each side, slowly
-- arm circles, 3 sets of 10
-- bridges, 2 or 3 sets of 10

etc. ... the reason is that you are more likely to skip or "forget" to do some exercises if you don't have them on the list. Now, if you use a videtape or audiotape that talks you through a routine, no problem, although I find that most taped exercise programs tend to rush me through some things that I need to do slowly. And these days, most of the routines have things in them that I'm not supposed to do yet! I'm better off customizing my own.

2. Exercise first. I know we had a discussion on this before, and I know some people disagree, but I found that it works for me and I would urge people to try it. And I am not a morning person. Far from it -- I would rather sleep, and I am cranky until I get my coffee, and I wake up the stiffest and sorest that I'm going to be all day. Which is all the more reason to do a few stretches and gentle exercises before I even get out of bed. (Or, OK, once I've gone to the bathroom.) I really do feel better all day as a result. In fact, I am sure that because I have "warmed up," I feel more like doing more exercising, walking, etc., throughout the day. I'm not talking about doing the whole Jane Fonda routine. Just some ankle pumps and foot circles, hip flexor stretch, bridges, and leg raises. Only takes about 10 minutes, but I think it really sets the stage for feeling better. (Also, because it is good for self-esteem, it helps lead to making good choices instead of poor choices.)

3. Exercise several times a day, even if only for a few minutes. It's less boring/intimidating/tiring than doing an hour at once. Also, if you told me I had to exercise for an hour, I might keep putting it off until I had more time or energy. But if I exercise for 10 minutes, sometimes that painlessly extends into 20 minutes.

Good luck to all,

Pwid

I especially like the part about how exercising early in the day can lead to good choices instead of poor ones, because I've found that to be very true for myself. Once I've started off the day by exercising, I'm much less likely to eat the wrong things.

Good luck, and please keep the tips coming!

Hugs,

Debbie

I find that if I put on my workout clothes as soon as I get up, it makes it just that much easier to go for a walk or get on the exercise bike. Otherwise, if I am sitting there having coffee and thinking about taking a walk, the first "barrier" I have to overcome is putting on my workout duds (or changing from jammies into something suitable for wearing outside!). Whereas, psychologically, if I am sitting there in my workout clothes, it seems like a waste to not go ahead and do something.

hope this helps someone else get motivated.

Pwid

Hugs,

D