

A. Continue My Same Habits and Stay in the Vicious Cycle
Women, African Americans, and Hispanics have more severe arthritis and functional limitations. These same individuals are more likely to be obese, diabetic, and have higher incidence of heart disease—medical conditions that can be improved with more movement. Instead of moving, however, these groups have an inactivity rate of 40–50% … and this rate is going up!

Don't wait until the weekend to clean your home. Spend time each day tidying up. Dust, do laundry, vacuum, and wash windows. These efforts often give you as much exercise as a formal exercise class.
Workout during TV time. Don't just sit there. Stand up next to your sofa and walk during commercials. Work up to walking through an entire show. Don't forget to stretch.
Exercise your calf muscles while brushing your teeth. Place your feet flat on the floor, and rise onto the balls of your feet, hold for two seconds and sink back down.
Identify your emotional triggers. Culturally defined food choices are not always the healthiest and can contribute to the Vicious Cycle. Embrace and try to understand what is behind unconscious eating habits and your lack of movement.
Let's take a short quiz to review what you have learned
- Start Moving/ Start Living
- Start Moving/ Start Living Blog
- Start Moving/ Start Living Resources
- The Burden and Impact of Arthritis and Obesity Among Women and Racial/Ethnic Minorities
- Calculate Your Body Mass Index
- The Power of Pain
- Nutritional Weight and Wellness
- Arthritis Foundation
- WebMD Joint Pain
- American Heart Association
- American Diabetes Assocation
- AAOS—Ortho Knowledge
- Fit to a T, What You Need To Know About Your Bone Health and Osteoporosis
- Talking with your Doctor, Tips for Seniors
Now you know the importance of movement. If you would like to go back and follow choice B, please click here. If you would like to learn even more about breaking the Vicious Cycle, go back to Joint Pain and choose B each time.