Random MomBlog

I developed osteoarthritis in my knees at 16 (as well as lower back pain), and I got serious about fixing it with physical therapy when I was 29. I’m happy to report that arthritis no longer bothers me! Usually I’m in no pain, and I know when my knees hurt a little, I just need to buy new sneakers. This might explain why I was so happy.

Arthritis pain really is different from other types of pain, according to a small study reported last year. That’s because the pain caused by arthritis is processed in the parts of the brain that also control emotions, including fear and distress.

So seriously try what your physical therapist says! Worked wonders for me!

In high school, on the cross country team, I was the one eating food right before running. Everyone else thought I was asking to barf. On the other hand, I was one of two who gained weight (7 pounds, in fact), so I maintained that I didn’t have any weight to lose back then.

I just ran across this article, What to Eat Before You Work Out, and identified with this quote.

Some people do have a hard time exercising without eating first, especially if it’s been a long time since their last meal or snack. These individuals often are more sensitive to changes in their blood sugar levels, which fall during the first 15-20 minutes of workout.

Yep, that sounds like me! If I go too long between meals, I get all hypoglycemic with low blood pressure and need a nap to bounce back. Food good, exercise good, no need to separate them too far. Eating before a hard run never upset my stomach!

Exercise can fit in one (or more) of three categories.

1. Flexibility or stretching: this can be static stretching like touching your toes, or active flexibility like yoga or dance.
2. Strength Training: this can be lifting weights, or using resistance like your own body weight in a push-up.
3. Cardiovascular or aerobic exercise: this is where you get yourheart pumping and pop a sweat!

You need all three types, each several times a week. To get started, aim for 30 minutes of exercise per day. Once you’ve started, exercise 60 minutes a day for best health. Luckily, you don’t need to do your exercise all at once; you can do 10 minutes here and there. In fact, interval training (periods of heavy and light exertion, or exertion and rest) is very effective and burns a lot of calories.

I do 10 minutes of free weights in the morning, and 20 minutes of (static) stretching before bed. I need to work on cardio!

Fitness