STAYING ON TRACK

Designing a program is not too difficult once you learn some basic principles, and starting the program, although not easy, is often supported by enthusiasm for a new venture. Sticking with a program is where most people have problems. A woman with whom I work restarts her exercise programs at least twice a year. Reasons not to exercise are always popping up—she had surgery on her foot, sprained an ankle, was involved in a car accident, and caught the illness that was going around the office. That she stopped her program is understandable; the important point is that she got started again once she had recovered.

Staying on track does not mean that you exercise regardless of complications; it means stick with your program over the long haul, adapting it to the expected and the unexpected. Sometimes you will not be able to continue your regular exercise routine, especially when you have arthritis. The key is modifying it when you need to and getting back into a routine as soon as possible.

Improving Exercise Adherence

Flexible Programming

Joint Replacement Surgery

Bringing It All Together