Millions of people make a resolution each January to exercise— either for weight loss, better movement, cardiac health, or overall fitness. Many fitness clubs offer incentives in the first few weeks of January to entice people looking to shed those holiday pounds. Like thousands of other people, I shopped the membership “sales” and joined a new gym this week. My goals for the year:
These are the same goals I have made for the last two years. Unfortunately, I don’t enjoy exercising unless it’s disguised by a nice walk in the park or a fun afternoon canoe trip. I read today that gym memberships surge in January and then fall by 20-30% by March. Most people start strong, but within 3 months, lose their ambition and stop going to the gym, which is a hefty loss both in physical progress and in the pocketbook.
Every year, I vow to exercise at least three times a week, but like so many other people, I lack the ongoing willpower to make exercising a habit I can’t live without. I am a master of excuses like: “I’m so tired from work,” “I don’t have time today. Tomorrow, I’ll go tomorrow!” and “Man, my knees hurt today.” I’ll be really good for 2 weeks or maybe a month and then I’ll flare or get really busy, get off my schedule, and then I won’t exercise for 3 months. And I can definitely feel the difference when I do not stretch or exercise. I fatigue easily. I feel stiff and inflexible. My knees crunch and pop and they strain more easily.
With the pain of Rheumatoid Arthritis, it is easy to get discouraged or to lose the motivation to keep exercising. The following are some things to keep in mind when choosing a gym and setting up a fitness program that will hopefully help you maintain the motivation to keep persevering.
• If you choose a gym, find one that is close by (a distance that you are realistically willing to drive), affordable, and has most of the facilities/activities that you are looking for. If you are limited in the equipment you can use, and the gym doesn’t have activities that you want or isn’t willing to cut you a special limited rate, then find another alternative. Distance and limited exercise options/boredom are common pitfalls.
• While checking out the facilities, also check out the people using the gym. What kinds of people use this gym? Do they seem like mostly Mr. America types or are there people of all shapes, sizes and ages? Ask yourself if you’ll be comfortable in that particular setting. The most intimidating thing about gyms for me is the people. I’m a very self-conscious exerciser and I prefer either women-only gyms or gyms with people of all ages and abilities.
• Take advantage of free training sessions with the personal training staff. Many gyms offer programs where a trainer will work with you to assess your baseline fitness level and will use that along with your goals to set up a personalized fitness program. Many then offer a few free follow-up sessions per year to revaluate and set new goals.
1) Lose the 20 pounds that I’ve gained over the last 4 years
2) Be able to get through a whole exercise class without my knees swelling up
3) Break my 5 km walking barrier and walk a half marathon.
These are the same goals I have made for the last two years. Unfortunately, I don’t enjoy exercising unless it’s disguised by a nice walk in the park or a fun afternoon canoe trip. I read today that gym memberships surge in January and then fall by 20-30% by March. Most people start strong, but within 3 months, lose their ambition and stop going to the gym, which is a hefty loss both in physical progress and in the pocketbook.
Every year, I vow to exercise at least three times a week, but like so many other people, I lack the ongoing willpower to make exercising a habit I can’t live without. I am a master of excuses like: “I’m so tired from work,” “I don’t have time today. Tomorrow, I’ll go tomorrow!” and “Man, my knees hurt today.” I’ll be really good for 2 weeks or maybe a month and then I’ll flare or get really busy, get off my schedule, and then I won’t exercise for 3 months. And I can definitely feel the difference when I do not stretch or exercise. I fatigue easily. I feel stiff and inflexible. My knees crunch and pop and they strain more easily.
With the pain of Rheumatoid Arthritis, it is easy to get discouraged or to lose the motivation to keep exercising. The following are some things to keep in mind when choosing a gym and setting up a fitness program that will hopefully help you maintain the motivation to keep persevering.
• If you choose a gym, find one that is close by (a distance that you are realistically willing to drive), affordable, and has most of the facilities/activities that you are looking for. If you are limited in the equipment you can use, and the gym doesn’t have activities that you want or isn’t willing to cut you a special limited rate, then find another alternative. Distance and limited exercise options/boredom are common pitfalls.
• While checking out the facilities, also check out the people using the gym. What kinds of people use this gym? Do they seem like mostly Mr. America types or are there people of all shapes, sizes and ages? Ask yourself if you’ll be comfortable in that particular setting. The most intimidating thing about gyms for me is the people. I’m a very self-conscious exerciser and I prefer either women-only gyms or gyms with people of all ages and abilities.
• Take advantage of free training sessions with the personal training staff. Many gyms offer programs where a trainer will work with you to assess your baseline fitness level and will use that along with your goals to set up a personalized fitness program. Many then offer a few free follow-up sessions per year to revaluate and set new goals.
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