Small Space Fitness: Cat Corchado
The weight-joint health connection is undeniable.
I wanted to talk a little bit about how just five pounds of additional weight on your body can increase the pressure on your joints 20-fold, meaning 20 pounds of extra pressure. It’s important to understand the relationship between weight and joint health
We don’t really think about our joints until blank–they hurt, right? So we have to figure out why our joints are hurting. And sometimes we say, oh, it’s age. Oh, it’s this. Oh, it’s that. Maybe it’s a combination of all of the above.
“Joint pain and reduced mobility can affect mental health.”
Let’s take a long-term look. Well, not look, but let’s talk about the long-term effects on daily activities and quality of life. Five extra pounds or even any extra weight can make common activities like walking, climbing stairs, or even standing for extended periods of time can be challenging.
And so this difficulty can lead to a decrease in physical activity, right? Because you’re hurting and that further exacerbate the health issue. Think about mobility, getting up out of a chair, sitting down in a chair, walking. Increased joint pain and decreased cartilage health can significantly reduce your mobility.
Long-Term Effects Of Extra Weight On Daily Life:
This reduction in mobility can lead to a sedentary lifestyle, which by the way, is just as bad as doing too much. Increasing the risk of other health conditions, such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Not moving can increase the pain and the discomfort, which sounds like an oxymoron, right?
Your joints hurt. Why would you exercise? Because it increases the mobility of your joints. It makes your muscles stronger, your joints stronger, so that you can lose weight and feel better. What about your overall quality of life? Joint pain and reduced mobility can affect mental health.
Yes, leading to feelings of frustration, depression, and anxiety. The ability to engage in hobbies, social activities, or just simply being and doing daily tasks can be severely limited, impacting your overall happiness and well-being.
Why Exercise Despite The Pain?
How do you do this? How do you reduce your joint pressure through weight management? Well, I think weight management says a lot, but I want you to think in terms of getting healthier, and through getting healthier, you reduce the weight. Managing your weight effectively can alleviate the pressure on joints, thereby reducing pain and preventing further joint damage.
You’ve heard me talk about walking. That’s not high impact. Maybe other things such as swimming, cycling, or anything else that doesn’t put the additional pressure on your joints is great. Also, this will help decrease inflammation. We know that word. A healthy diet can help reduce inflammation associated with weight gain and joint stress.
You can also help improve your cartilage health, because all of these work together to help support your body. When you’re walking, what parts of the body hurt? It’s not your arms. It’s usually your low back, your hips, your knees, your ankles, and your feet.
A Holiday Reminder:
When you work out, you create a place where your muscles can become stronger, and this helps to reduce the burden when you’re walking, running, whatever that cardio is. So what are some key points on maintaining a healthy weight for joint health? Well, just a small amount of extra weight can significantly increase the pressure on your weight-bearing joints, and it’s this vicious cycle.
“Just a small amount of extra weight can significantly increase the pressure on your weight-bearing joints, and it’s this vicious cycle.”
Extra weight leads to increased joint pain, reduced mobility, further weight gain, and joint stress, and it’s this vicious circle. Maintaining a healthy weight is crucial. Not just for joint health, but overall health.
Why is this such a big deal for me right now? The holidays are coming up and you’re going to be eating all the good stuff, and by all means enjoy.
Everyone Deserves To Feel Good:
But also keep in mind, do a walk prior to having dinner, or maybe after dinner. In conclusion, the connection between weight and joint health is undeniable. Maintaining a healthy weight is essential for minimizing stress on joints, reducing the risk of joint-related conditions, and ensuring a higher quality of life.
Adopt a lifestyle that supports your life and helps you to maintain your weight, or even lose weight, and increase that joint stability and the ability to move and feel better. Everyone has the right to feel good in their body.
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About the Author:
Cat is a proud US Air Force veteran who has made it her mission to help women veterans transition from the military. She is a leader and speaker within the active duty and veteran community and her advocacy has helped her develop the Sisters-in-Service podcast- a platform for anyone affiliated with the military.
Cat is also the founder of the Small Space Pilates community. Cat feels privileged to work with midlife women to help them increase body awareness, mobility, stability and strength in a safe and fun environment. With over 39 ears in the fitness arena, her specialties include Personal Training, Pilates, Activated Isolated Stretching (AIS) and most recently her certification with CETI to work with cancer. Follow Cat’s Sisters In Service on Instagram for more information.
