The Values of Physical Fitness While Living With Early Symptoms of Arthritis and Poor Circulation

How does a person who suffers day in and day outoneself to push onward. In all honesty if you get bored
with arthritic pain and poor circulation betteryou're going to quite!
themselves through physical fitness? It is no surpriseKeep it fresh and exciting! Change up the routines I list
that the very act of exercise itself can help tohere to keep your body in a state where it will not
regenerate and revitalize the body. It is more surprisingadapt to just one technique.
that more people are realizing the importance ofStart with 1, then 2, then 3.....
physical exercise and are making good efforts toI recommend starting with three (3) separate shoulder
change themselves for the best.exercises for obtaining maximum results.
In this article I will list some components of physicalStart with 3-4 sets of either "machine shoulder press"
fitness exercises for the shoulders. I will cover otheror "dumbbell presses". I recommend doing between
parts of the body like elbows, neck, legs, hips, and feet8-10 repetitions on each set. If you are a beginner use
in other articles.a light weight that gives you some resistance. If you
In this article I will help you explore some shoulderuse to light of a resistance you are simply cheating
routines combined with some great nutrition ideas thatyourself.
will give you a good start in the right direction to betterRemember Component #1? "It's all in the mind." If you
yourself. In addition I will cover some thoughts on alldon't get motivated to see results our nature is to just
natural supplements that combined with a good dietget by with the easiest possible route.
and exercise regimen may help any person whoBe careful not to start out with more weight than you
wants to go to the "Old Home Gym" or "Public Gym"can handle as you might injure yourself. Slowly
to take control of their lives.advance in weight as your strength increases. Each
Component #1set will look as follows:
Its all in the mind.- Start by raising the weight above your head and
The first component of physical fitness starts in thepalms out. DO NOT lock the elbows! By locking your
mind. You have to decide to change. I realized early onelbows you risk hyper extending them causing injury.
that no matter what I read or how much I envied- Next lower the weight till your closed fist is parallel
another persons achievements I had a need to makewith your chest.
that determination for myself. I was determined to- Repeat exercise 2-3 more times till completed. Rest
make the difference.1-2 minutes.
MotivationAnother type of shoulder exercise is the "side lateral
Be your own self motivator. Nobody is going to makeraise". In this exercise I recommend using dumbbells for
you do anything. We are left to the basics of ourthis exercise. Each set will look as follows:
human nature that is our ability to choose. Read books- Do 3-4 sets of 8 repetitions with moderately light
or search the Internet. There is a lot out there to learn.weight. This isolates the shoulder caps or sides. Don't
So choose wisely!feel bad if you look over at the guy or gal next you
Component #2and they are lifting a lot more then you. You will get
The Shoulder?there soon if you keep up the exercise.Start by holding
Here is a quick anatomy lesson on the shoulder forthe dumbbells with palms facing your legs.
those like me (till I researched it) didn't know or- Raise the dumbbell laterally so your arms are
understand how this body part works.stretched outwardly (palms facing downward at this
In the human anatomy the shoulder joint comprises thepoint) Hold for approximately 2 seconds. Squeeze at
part of the body where the humerus (a long bone inthe top of the motion, then lower to the starting point.
the arm or forelimb that runs from the shoulder to the- Repeat exercise till 2-3 more times till completed.
elbow) attaches to the scapula (connects the armRest 1-2 minutes.
bone to the collar bone). The shoulder is the group ofThe last type of shoulder exercise strengthens the
structures in the region of the joint. It is made up ofrear deltoid muscle. This normally does not get a lot of
three bones, the collarbone, shoulder blade, and theattention. Most people forget to even include this part
upper arm bone as well as associated muscles,of the shoulder in their fitness routine. So if you get to
ligaments and tendons.this point and you are completely wiped out you can
There are two kinds of cartilage in the joint. The firststop. However, if you're like me I want to make sure I
type is the white cartilage on the ends of the bonesget all my areas covered. So keep going. Each set will
called (Articular Cartilage) which allows the bone tolook as follows with 3-4 sets with 8-10 repetitions.
glide and move on each other. When this type of- Start in a bent over position about a 45 degree angle.
cartilage starts to wear out (a process called arthritis)Bend the knees slightly to help support and balance
the joints become painful and stiff.yourself. Use light weight dumbbells for this exercise.
The second type of cartilage in the shoulder is theBe careful not to lock your knees, keep them bent
Labrum. This type is distinctly different from thethrough the entire exercise to avoid stressing the
Articular Cartilage in which it is more fibrous or rigid onlower back muscles.
the ends of the ball and socket. Also, this cartilage is- Your palms should be facing each other and your
only found around the socket where it is attached.arms hanging towards the floor. Look up, and with a
The shoulder must be flexible for the wide range ofslow motion raise your elbows just above the ridge of
motion required in the arms and hands and also strongyour back (90 degree angle at the elbow).
enough to allow for actions such as lifting, pushing and- Lower back to starting position.
pulling. All these are part of a good physical fitness- Repeat exercise till 2-3 more times till completed.
routine.Rest 1-2 minutes.
So what causes the cartilage to deteriorate? (akaThat's It! Congratulations! You just finished your first
Osteoarthritis)step towards bettering yourself in the physical fitness
Usually age is a big factor. However age is not thearena. If you continue to exercise you will strengthen
only contributor. Other culprits are excessive weightbones, and muscles as well as help circulation in your
which puts stress on joints.There is also joint overuse,limbs.
joint injury or stress, and family history. Other possibleSo what does poor circulation and the value of
causes are genetic or developmental abnormalities inphysical fitness have in common?
the structure of the joint which can cause excessWhen we exercise our heart begins to pump blood
wear and tear.through our body. The muscles that surround our
If you have any genetic or family history of inheritedskeletal structure require great amounts of blood and
abnormalities in your cartilage structure, seek a physicaloxygen. I have experience poor circulation first hand.
fitness test from your doctor to determine earlyMany years ago I had an allergic reaction to a
symptoms of arthritis. He will give the right advice onmedication that was given to me. The doctors after
the right methods of physical fitness that will work formany different tests concluded that I had an allergic
you.reaction to penicillin.
Component #3I was in the hospital for four days. At that time a nurse
What shoulder fitness routine do I start with?had me get out of bed and walk around. I did not
It has been my experience in weight training thatunderstand the implications but I immediately
simplest way is usually always the best way. Youunderstood why. My legs would not could not move! I
need to develop a physical fitness program that workswas dumbfounded! I struggled to walk even the
for you if you are to properly train your shoulders. Theshortest distance. During my four day stay at the
basics of shoulder training is one that requires a personhospital my muscles developed atrophy. It took several
to be conscious of every movement as well aswalks before I gained my strength back.
develop a regimen that will consistently challenge