September 3, 2014
“Be prepared, work hard, and hope for a little luck. Recognize that the harder you work and the better prepared you are, the more luck you might have.” –Ed Bradley
Hope you all had a GREAT long weekend!
Just a reminder: We have not had to worry about the heat too much this summer, but please… stay hydrated, exercise in the cooler parts of the day, and decrease the intensity of exercise when working out in the heat. Be careful, especially if you have had weight loss surgery – you know how easy it is to get dehydrated when you exercise in the heat. Keep that water handy this week!
I just came across this Boston Globe article on effectiveness of joint replacement. This is a large study led by Dr. David Ayers here at UMass Memorial Medical Center.
Since many of our patients are working on losing weight to have joint replacement surgery, I found this very interesting. It is why we focus on strengthening the joint before as well as after replacement surgery. It is part of the program when I meet with patients whose goal is joint replacement surgery. This study gives extra motivation to exercise as best you can now, and not wait until after.
The study used a common survey (called the SF36) that measures functional health and wellbeing. It was given to patients before and after joint replacement. Researchers found that those with the lowest function before surgery gained the least function after joint replacement. Basically, the patients who were more physically fit and well before surgery gained the most benefit from surgery.
Whether you are looking at joint replacement or not, this is true with most health issues. If you go into any surgery or health issue healthier and as strong and fit as possible, your body will bounce back better.
Sometimes surgery is planned, like weight loss surgery. Many times health issues and surgery are not planned.
This is why the definition of physical fitness includes being “able to meet daily demands without undue fatigue and having the physical ability to meet emergencies.”
Joint replacement, weight loss surgery, life in general—keeping fitness a priority in life seems like a smart move!
Keep Moving, Be Well!
Janet
Keep Moving Weekly 