Oct 2, 2019

6 Tips for Making Your Arthritis Workout More Social This Fall

Things are cooling down here in southeastern NC. There is a crispness in the air, and the leaves are morphing into beautiful colors. However, as the season continues, the days will get shorter and the temperatures will drop. On these days, you may want to just curl up on the couch with a cozy blanket. But don’t let the changing seasons get you off track with your workout. Try making it a more social thing with these six tips to keep you motivated this fall season.

Find a buddy.

Working out with a friend has a lot of perks. Make your workout buddy a friend you know will keep you on track and won’t let you bail. Find a friend with either a similar interest in exercise, or even one who is skilled in a technique that you would love to learn. The best part is that the workout can double up as a friendly catch-up session, which means you get your exercise in and spend quality time with a friend.

Turn cocktail hour into workout hour.

Instead of socializing over cocktails or dinner, catch up with friends while you walk. Studies show people who exercise with a friend can burn more calories than those who workout alone.

Reward yourself.

Maybe you love to work out alone. If that’s the case and you are getting it done, there is no need to change. Sometimes it’s good to mix things up, though, so if you want to put a friendly twist on your workout, make a plan to meet up with a friend after you’ve worked up a sweat. This can give you something to look forward to once you’ve finished exercising, and keep you motivated during those challenging moments. A post-workout smoothie is a great reward and will help your muscles recover while you both catch up.

Participate in group exercise.

There will always be a new class to try at your local gym. Look into yoga if you haven’t already, or a group swim class. What about that new Tai-Chi, or weight-lifting class? These are all great programs for arthritis sufferers. So if you haven’t tried them yet, this fall is the time. Not only will they help build muscle, endurance and flexibility, but you can build new relationships as well.

Get to know your neighbors.

Organize an evening walk with some of your neighbors. In addition to staying healthy and active, you will be making new friends and bringing others together. And if you are the organizer for these walks, you will be more likely to stay on track.

Talk a walk at work.

Make the most of your lunch break by grabbing a colleague and squeezing in a brisk walk. It is a great excuse to get away from your desk and get some fresh air. You’ll return to the office re-energized and ready to focus on what lies ahead. Then, if you get home from a long day and aren’t feeling an evening workout, you’ll be OK with skipping.

Whether you implement one or more of these tips, get started right away before those cold temperatures and long nights really hit. We guarantee you’ll have more fun than ever when you are socializing and working out. Get moving and reclaim your body from arthritis! For more monthly tips on living with arthritis this fall and winter season, keep following Carolina Arthritis!