Being overweight is never healthy. Obesity puts your body at risk for many health risks, such as heart attack, stroke, diabetes, and even some forms of cancer, as years pass. Added weight holds particular additional difficulties, however, for people with joint and muscle pain. This is primarily because extra body weight puts excessive stress on weight bearing joints like the knees, and it just seems to be harder to lose unwanted pounds as you grow older.
How do you manage weight loss and pain at the same time? Each is difficult on its own, but the fact is, their management go hand in hand. Weight loss and joint pain both require similar management strategies for success. Seemingly endless research has been done on the fastest, healthiest, most effective ways to lose weight. Beware, though, because most of this research is geared toward particular products or nutrients that someone is looking to sell. In the final analysis, the only safe and effective way to lose weight is to consume fewer calories than you use. That means making healthy food choices, portion control, and staying active.
In general, a healthy food choice is one that is part of a balanced diet. Choose lean meats, plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, grains and dairy products. As a rule of thumb, remember that fat free and sugar free do not mean calorie free. How much you eat is as important as what you eat, so learn to control your portions, as well.
The one commonality that losing weight and controlling joint pain share is the need for physical activity. Exercise is essential to achieving weight loss, and pain and stiffness is best controlled by staying active and keeping the joints and muscles limber. Since the primary key to losing weight is burning more calories than you take in, you should do some form of brisk aerobic activity every day. Remember to stretch before and after exercising to protect muscles and joints from injury. Muscle burns more calories than fat, as well as giving you extra strength and energy, so adding a weight training program 2-3 times a week can help you achieve your weight loss and arthritis management goals.
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