Printer-Friendly Version

Forward to a Colleague

Permission for Use

Rheumatoid Arthritis and Aerobic Exercise

Jody's Experience

Typical of fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis patients, Jody has experienced exacerbations and remissions of both diseases. To accommodate the fluctuating nature of these conditions, she has tried many different medications to manage the disease processes. She has also had fluctuations in her exercise habits and her physical fitness. Weight management has been particularly challenging. This too is typical of what it takes to live with chronic, fluctuating diseases.

Rheumatoid arthritis can have devastating effects physically and emotionally. Jody explains that the benefits of exercise have been twofold for her. Both her physical and emotional states have improved. Physically she feels stronger and feels less pain. Her endurance has improved as she can do more for longer periods of time.

Jody performs stretching exercises which relieve stiffness and pain. She also does muscle strengthening exercises to improve joint stability. Finally, she enjoys aquatic exercising, stationary bicycling, and walking to fulfill the cardiovascular component of her workout.

Exercising has enabled Jody to control and alleviate depression. Since she has been an exerciser, she reports that her mental outlook and attitude have improved.

Jody has had a variable course with exercise. She has stopped and started again several times due to illness and personal difficulties. During periods of inactivity, Jody realized she went downhill fast. Now she knows she must put forth the effort to exercise unless she wants to depend on others.

Jody believes exercise is promising for people with arthritis. “It's exciting to see other people get into exercise and see it helping. Once you know what exercise can do, you want to keep exercising.” She exercises with women who are in their seventies and eighties. She convinces others that “age doesn't matter. When you know your problems are from inactivity, not age, you know its time to start exercising. You feel younger when you exercise.” Most importantly, she states “You know you improve when you exercise.”

Jody recommends starting out with something simple. She firmly states, “You have to start somewhere. The simple things add up and they really do help.” As further evidence of the virtues of exercise, she adds “You'll never find anyone who will say I am sorry I stuck with exercise.”