HOUSTON (FOX 26) -
If you suffer from stiff, achy joints, exercise is probably the last thing on your mind, but doctors say it's what you really need! Here's another wake up call - what you're eating and your overall attitude may also affect your joints.
We turned to the experts at the Houstonian Fitness Club to find simple ways to relieve pain and help you feel your best.
If you suffer from joint pain, trainers at the Houstonian Fitness Club urge you to NOT cringe, when you think about exercise.
"It reduces pain by moving your joints through full range of motion. If you stay more active, you have less pain," says personal trainer Abdul Kassim. "At the same time, I highly advise my clients and people to know your limits - do not over do it. If you do, you'll end up in more pain, so please know your limits," advises Kassim. He also suggests you start with your doctor's approval to work out.
Abdul encourages his clients to keep three things in mind, when working out:
- Strength training (often accomplished using weights)
- Functional training (working out using normal range-of-motion movements you do everyday)
- Cardiovascular exercise (help you maintain a healthy weight, which is very important to take pressure off of your joints.)
After your workout, eating healthy can make a big difference in your joints. Plenty of powerful foods can reduce inflammation in your body. "It's really all about healthy eating in general. Healthy eating keeps all of that inflammation down and you also want to keep your weight down as well, which has a lot to do with it", says the Houstonian's Dietitian Erika Kaufman. Of course, vegetables and fruits top the list. Erika also suggests you eat super foods like fish high in Omega 3's, nuts, seeds, avocados, and olives.
Here's what to avoid if you suffer from arthritis and want to heal through diet: "Avoid saturated and trans fats that would be fatty meats that are marbled - that's saturated fats, also gravies, sauces, dressings, salad dressings, all very processed and will have that fat for sure. Avoid all the extra processed sugars, white bread, and candies", encourages Erika. She says her clients are shocked at how much better their joints feel, when they take her advice. It's always a good idea to reduce caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine intake.
Did you know an attitude check and reducing your stress load is supposed to help reduce joint pain, as well?
"It will help release all the muscle tension and just makes you feel better," says Abdul. A positive attitude, exercise, the right foods, and a healthy weight... the perfect recipe to relieve those painful joints.
Turning to all-natural cleaning products and laundry detergent and adding houseplants to help filter the air can help reduce inflammation in your body. Some doctors even recommend you try a cleansing program or detox a few times a year.
To learn more about the Houstonian Fitness Club, visit http://www.houstonian.com/aboutus.aspx.
