Stay Healthy, Be Active

Has arthritis, chronic back pain or another disability caused you to give up on physical activity?

It shouldn’t. Gone are the days when physical limitations subjected you to a life of inactivity. More and more, research is showing that moving your body is good for your physical and mental health, even if you have a challenging health condition.

With a doctor’s okay and the right program, people with health challenges can enjoy the health benefits that come with being active. In fact, movement has replaced bed rest as the prescription for conditions such as back pain and recovery from heart and other surgeries. And people with special needs are enjoying such activities as walking, skiing, cycling and swim ming events, marathons. Most people, unless they have some kind of silent, cardiovascular impairment, can safely begin an exercise program if they start out slowly and build up gradually once they see improvements.

One of the easiest ways to get moving is to walk. You can start out slowly and build on your routine by going longer distances or walking at a faster pace. Just be sure to: wear walking shoes with good support and traction; drink plenty of water before, during, and after exercise; be aware of the weather, such as extreme heat and humidity or cold and ice; and be alert to any warning signs, such as dizziness or pain, that might signal a problem. Also remember to take your time. You can even break your activities into shorter sessions if a longer one is too much. For instance, do two, 15-minute walks instead of one half-hour walk. If you need help designing an exercise program, consider using a personal trainer or fitness instructor who is trained and certified to work with people who have health challenges.