Bringing It All Together

I have examined some of the common ways people get off track and how to plan ahead for disruptions to one s exercise routine. Once again, be flexible in your planning. If you have to interrupt your program for some reason, cut out only what you have to, and make a plan for resuming the program.

One deterrent to exercise that I have not addressed is more difficult to pin down—the “I just don't feel like it today” problem. Again, you need to be flexible and decide whether it is a one-time difficulty (in which case, a day off might be good for you). If you are fighting that feeling more and more often, then you must decide whether it is fatigue, boredom with your program, or some other stressor that might be influencing you. A subtle increase in your arthritis may be draining you before you are aware of it. Try increasing your rest a bit and decreasing the intensity of your workouts. You can alter your program to make it more interesting, and (as mentioned in other chapters) exercising with someone else can give you a big boost. Work and other potential stressors are sometimes the culprit, in which case you will usually feel better if you force yourself to exercise.

A word of caution is in order—do not ignore an increase in fatigue. Even if you can identify a potential cause for your fatigue, such as stress, the problem is no less important. In chapter 1, I discussed the importance of rest, both general and joint-specific. Fatigue can be a sign of a depleted immune system that is unable to provide full resistance against arthritis-related problems. If you have addressed potential causes of fatigue and do not feel better with increased rest, call your physician. Unusual fatigue is a sign that something is wrong.

Staying on track with exercise is never easy, and arthritis adds another potential barrier. I have suggested several ideas to make sticking with your exercise program easier. Keys to staying on track with exercise include the following:

1. Set realistic goals and objectives, and review them on a regular basis.
2. Keep an exercise log to track progress toward your goals.
3. Develop a support system—either exercise partners or reinforcers.
4. Develop a simple, balanced routine that you really like.
5. Be flexible in your approach to an exercise program—adapt elements as your arthritis symptoms require.
6. Be your own expert on arthritis and exercise. Identify reliable resources and learn as much as you can, so that you are in control.

Above all else, I hope that this book helps you realize that arthritis is not a reason to give up exercise. In fact, exercise is one of the best prescriptions for arthritis, helping to decrease pain, increase mobility, and improve self-esteem. I hope that you have found some useful tips for altering your current program or designing a new one.

STAYING ON TRACK