Does chronic pain keep you from maintaining a healthy weight? Millions of people all over the world experience daily pain that is considered chronic. When you have constant pains and aches, it can be difficult to find the motivation to work out. It can also be hard to find exercises that do not increase your pain levels. However, weight loss is also important as it can contribute and add to chronic pain conditions. The following exercises are less impact and may work with your condition. But, remember to always consult with your physicians before beginning any workout routine.
Walking
Many people think that if they are unable to run, they should not even consider walking. Walking, however, is a great alternative to running. You still get many of the same muscle strengthening benefits, without the added pressure to your joints. Currently, less than 5% of adults participate in 30 minutes of physical activity each day, only one in three adults receive the recommended amount of physical activity each week. Walking is an easier exercise type that can be completed multiple times per day.
Swimming
Swimming is a great exercise for those with joint pains. The water is more buoyant, minimizing a lot of the pressure caused with other types of exercises. If you need immediate help with losing weight, but are in fear of injuring or worsening your medical condition, try swimming first. It gets the body moving and prepares it for more physical of activities on land. Swimming also burns a lot of calories and works on many muscles throughout the body.
Yoga
The activity of yoga is all about stretching, which is great for chronic pain conditions. Yoga is also a personal sport, allowing you to only take on what you can handle. As you get stronger, you can attempt more poses and take your yoga practice to the next level. You may even find specific yoga classes for those with chronic pain conditions. These classes are geared toward helpful stretches that do not put a lot of pressure or strain on different areas of the body. Informing your yoga instructor of your special pain restrictions ahead of time can be helpful in creating a routine that works for you.
Diet
Although exercise is extremely important to overall health, nutrient packed foods within the diet are also necessary. Nutrient packed foods and exercise should go hand in hand. Fill your diet with nutrient packed foods, minimal sweets, and fresher foods without sodium. Currently, more than 80% of adults do not meet the guidelines for both aerobic and muscle strengthening activities, and more than 80% of adolescents do not do enough aerobic physical activity to meet the guidelines for youth. Reducing the sodium Americans eat by 1,200 mg per day could save up to $20 billion a year in medical costs. Work with your weight loss center on creating a diet filled with nutrient packed foods, catered to your dietary needs.
Getting weight loss help when needed
A Harvard study found that obesity increased the risk of diabetes 20 times and substantially boosted the risk of developing high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. Among people who were overweight or obese, there was a direct relationship between BMI and risk, the higher the BMI, the higher the likelihood of disease. Medical weight loss is assisting those patients with higher risk in achieving their weight loss goals. If you need extra weight loss help, consider seeking professional weight loss help.
Chronic pain can limit the amount of daily exercise you get. However, if you learn your limitations and find an exercise activity that meets your current level, you can begin to improve your health. Exercises like walking, swimming, and yoga are low impact sports that will help you reduce your weight and increase your overall health. It is also important to work with a weight loss center on finding a diet that fits with your new exercise routine.
