2012 in Review! Getting a Jump on the New Year and new me!

For me 2012 was frighfullly fast yet full of wonderful good news. In July I learned that my oldest daughter was pregnant with my first grandchild, a girl and we are (not very)patiently awaiting her arrival in about 4-5 weeks! Also, my youngest daughter will be getting married on May 7 in Jamaica--and that's less than 6 months away! So now I have even more incentive to get myself in shape (body, mond & spirit). Here's my commitment to myself:
* Joined Weight Watchers about 3 weeks ago to offset the holiday weight gain especially since I gained 3 lbs since Halloween already. Hopefully after next weigh-in those 3 lbs. are gone. Goal at least 10 lbs.
* More diligent about my workouts--really trying to cross train, use heavier weights & build endurance. BUT my right(natural) hip is hurting as the osteoarthritis advances so I'm cautious and of course must be careful with my replaced left hip- which is doing fabulously!
* Once the holidays are over I vow to drink less wine! (this will be the hardest).

In my professional life, I really want to get Good Sam @ Work out there. It's such a great program and I am so passionate about wellness and helping people realize that so much of they're help is in their own hands. Lastly, once I become a certified senior fitness specialist, I am finally going to get that exercise DVD done! I promise!

Not A Good Time for Arthritis Pain!

It's too busy for arthritis pain...and you may not be too keen on exercising while you hurt, or need to get your holiday shopping done, BUT that's exactly what you need to do! Just 15-20 minutes a day will manage your pain and here's the bonus--it will energize you to get what you need to get done. This has been the recommendation of arthritis doctors for years but most people don't even get 10 minutes of exercise a day and are very sedentary. Here's why moving everyday is so important to your joints; 1- as the cartilage breaks down during the ensuing arthritis, adequate blood supply doesn't nourish the joint BUT massaging the joint through exercise promotes blood flow and feeds the cartilage; 2-muscle which surround the joint, support & protect the joint, thus exercise builds the muscles and the joint is better protected. As the muscle strengthens, it takes up the weight & pressures from exercise instead of the joint taking up the weight and pressure; 3-regular exercise is a great weight manager which helps excess weight gain that reduces the pressure, pain and wear/tear on the arthritic joint.
So see your doctor, therapist, nurse (me) about starting an exercise program today; or attend an arthritis seminar to gets lots of helpful, manageable information.
Besides healthier joints, your entire body, mind & spirit will benefit immensely from regular exercise. Exercise for LIFE! Merry Christmas!