Getting Going with Arthritis in Westminster!!!

Well I don't blog as regularly as I would like but I am very excited about all of the things going on in Westminister!  Next Saturday, August 25th I will be at the WTTR Health & Wellness Expo at St,. John Portico from 8am-noon.  Come say "Hi" and if you have arthritis, I know you have lots of questions.  Remember, not only am I an arthritis nurse, but I am an arthritis patient as well. I've lived through the pain, stiffness, frustration and fear that arthritis can bring.  But I am doing great now since my hip replacement 3 years ago.  I will have free DVD's from my actual surgery, rehab and getting back to my life again. 
I will also be at the Carroll County Wine Fest on Sunday, September 16th; and the Carroll County Fall Fest on September 20th & 21st.   You can find me at the WTTR booth at all of these events.
Lastly, I will be hosting FREE "Get Going with ARthritis" seminars at the Carroll County Library branches from 6:30-7:30pm on these dates and locations:
1- Tuesday, Sept 18@ Finksburg Branch, 2265 Okd Westminister Pike, 21048
2- Thursday, Octovber 25 @ Westminster Branch,  50 East Main St., 21157
3- Thursday, November 8th @ Taneytown Branch, 10 Grand Drive,  21787

These informal seminars will discuss what arthritis is; pain management; diet and exercise; risk factors, signs & symptoms and how to know if joint replacement is an option for you.  Call 443-444-4698 to register!!!

Summer workouts---a hot topic!

Yea, I know its really hot in good "ol Baltimore, not too mention humid -but I'm not willing to give up my workouts because of the weather.  Just gotta change things around a bit.  Definitely got to get it done early morning, while its 80 degrees instead of 90!  I did a bike ride in Centerville, Md. on the eastern shore a few weeks back...temp was about 90 degrees with 100% humidity and I was really surpirised that I finished the 15 miles...but with lots of breaks and water I did it in about 2 hours. The beautiful rural route really took my mind off the heat...and it was mostly flat terrain.  It was my firtst first official bike ride fundraiser.  But that was my last outdoor physical activity since..now its mall walking, and home DVD's with the AC cranking.  Collagevideo.com is the absolutely the BEST catalogue to order fitness DVD's from, and their return policy is so customer friendly.  If you have a apool that's a great place to get a workout even if its just 3ft. deep.  The buoyancy and turbulence of the water provides resistance and the anti-gravity really provides a stress free "lightness" that's so kind to your athritic joints.  So don't let this heat be an excuse not to exercise, drink plenty of water and KEEP MOVING!!!!...indoors of course.

Busy Spring...Jamaica Here We Come!

Wow!  Quite a stretch since my last blog...take that as a good sign of being very busy!  The new grandbaby, Reese, now 2 1/2 months is such a joy...and now my other daughter is about to be married, destination Jamaica, for her wedding on May 7th.  We're all very excited about the trip...would love to hear from anyone who has been to Jamaica or to a destination wedding! 

A couple things worth mentioning in May that might benefit you or someone you love:  Call 443-444-4100 to register for these FREE events:
1-May 10th @ 10:30-12noon, Osteoporosis Education & Support Group in the Good Health Center at MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital.  This meeting will feature, our own registered dietician who will discuss the best foods for our bones; menu and meal plans as well as nutritious snacks to eat there. 
2)May 18 @10am in the Good Health Center- Navigating Arthritis Seminar- featuring nurses, Karen Kansler & Shirley Panopoulos who will discuss pain management, risk factors, prevention and when to have surgery.  This is a must for anyone who has battled arthritis for years or is newly diagnosed.
May 31-  Red Hot Mamas...Move It or Lose It!   Learn why stayiny active is so important in manageing our menopausal, post-menopausal symptoms and help us age actively.  Lots of good food, unique exercise demostrations (tai chi and  DRUMS ALIVE!).

These are great programs hope to see you all there!

B'More Healthy This Saturday @ Convention Center and Happy 3rd Anniversay to my New Hip!

Ahhh! Daylight hours, more time to get outside and be more healthy! Not to mention this Saturday, the Medstar Health system will be hosting the Fox 45 B'More Healthy Expo at the Convention Center till 5pm. I will be there helping people with their arthritis, bone, muscle & joint and spine questions. I 'm also very excited to be giving a T'ai Chi demo from 2pm to 2:15pm on the big stage. so if you've alway wondered what in the world T'ai chi was and why so many people are doing it these days come on down to the Convention Center this Saturday, March 17th!

Wow! My 3rd anniversary since my hip replacement came and went this weekend and I just realilzed it! Once again I attribute this to the fact that I forget I have a replaced hip. Modern technology is wonderful...so if you have hip or knee pain please come talk to me about it...you do not have to suffere. I can help answer any questions if you are considering a total joint replacement. Hope to see you at the Convention Center this Saturday or blog me anytime!

Help Me Understand Why People Won't Help Themselves!!

I am really trying to understand, I am. But how can most people still stay unmotivated when they know that regular execise is good for their health... and I mean all over health? I hear many people say "I just don't have time..." well that to me means you don't have time to be healthy. I know if you have arthritis you hurt, and the thought of walking a couple miles, or working out at a gym can really hurt. But you can work out in the water without hurting your joints, and eventually you'll feel so much better from your increased range of motion that you'll soon be able to go to the gym. I even say forget the gym, let's face it--it is expensive and very often intimidating (not so much anymore...you'll see all shapes and sizes working at gyms now), a good alternative is exercise DVDs. Go to the website collagevideo.com--it's awesome. you can actually see a clip of each DVD and even talk to people who have done the workouts. I love it and have about 110 DVDs...that I actually use very often in my pj's right our of bed everyday. Trust me I do not work for them.
Regular exercise is really not a big committment. At least 30minutes/day for 4-5 days a week. If you're just starting break the 30 min. up to 6-5min or 3-10 minute sessions. Hey and don't forget --THE BEST GYM IN EVERY BUILDING IS THE STAIRWAY!!!
I promise you, exercise will improve your health, and make you actually feel and be well. And it won't affect your kidney and liver like medications do, AND THE BEST PART IS THAT EXERCISE IS FREE!
Exercise will improve your blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, circulation, arthritis, balance, insomnia, weight management, depression, memory, sex life, energy & mood. And I'll repeat- EXERCISE IS FREE!
Also, I cannot tell you how many people will diabetes, arthritis & other chronic conditions have either totally gotten off their medications or cut their dosages in half because of regular exercise.
So, I ask you again--help me understand why people choose not to exercise when it it so good for them?????

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!