This article , providing information about exercise and weight loss for people with arthritis was our first “test your knowledge” blog to boost our savvy fitness consumer skills.
What myths did you find? Here are the ones I see:
- The image: Connecting information about exercise with images of “six pack abs” only increases the idea that the purpose of exercise is to look a certain way, and that having toned abs means you are healthy and fit. This is just not the definition of fitness. I know some very fit people who are carrying extra weight and have a strong core so they are able to do what the want and need to do in life more easily; that is the whole point of fitness.
- The title: “tighten up abs” in a way that is pain free. The purpose of exercise for arthritis is to build strength around arthritic joints in a way that reduces inflammation and supports joints with movement. Tightening abs is about how they look not how they function to reduce arthritis pain.
- The exercises: If you have arthritis, getting up and down off the floor is a challenge, if not impossible. Most importantly, our core muscles are stabilizers that are used 99% of the time in an upright position, and need to be trained in that position, not while laying on the floor. Check out this blog for more info on a truly functional core.
How did you do with your savvy fitness consumer skills? We do these types of blogs every so often so we can enjoy exercise without the myths draining motivation.
Keep Moving, Be Well,
Janet
These weekly blogs are general guidelines. These guidelines apply to patients who are cleared by a physician for the type of exercise described. Please contact your physician with any concerns or questions. Always report any symptoms associated with exercise, such as pain, irregular heartbeats, and dizziness or fainting, to your physician.
Please share these posts with anyone you know interested in losing weight with or without weight loss surgery. Click here to learn more about the UMass Memorial Weight Center
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