New Year’s Resolution

[Mrstubbs]

Hi. I wanted to join the couch to 5k website but realise my knees are too bad to run, so here I am! I want to lower my cholesterol without statins and get fit. At the moment I walk the dog about 3-4 times a week, but it’s not too demanding. Looking forward to being inspired.

[Mrstubbs]

Thanks. I might become very unpopular however! Does it have to be raw garlic?

[Hidden]

Hi there Mrstubbs, welcome to our forum! Exercise really does seem to keep the use of statins at bay - and for those of us with dodgy joints walking does the job. Lots of us here struggle with health issues, so you will find encouragement here!

[Realfoodieclub]

Hi there, my husbands docs have told him walking and any exercise is great at working towards all round general health so you have come to the right place for motivation and encouragement. There are a few of us all with the same goals.

[Bevoly]

Hi I have rheumatoid arthritis and my GP told me to do weight bearing excercises, go for long walks instead of running, do swimming and pilates. .I haven't looked back since and I find cycling whilst sitting helps my knee pains; but we are all different and I hope you find the right combination of changes you need for you..I would stick to any plan you make for at least 3 months before giving up and I would gently ease myself into regularly excercise . I think you will see a longer term difference in 3 months. ..good luck and welcome ☺☺ps 1 x cod liver oil capsule daily and1 x pure tumeric capsule per day, I find excellent for my joints too.

[GoogleMe]

Walking is great (and you can do it every day which would be a very bad idea for a beginner running)... but don't be too quick to write off running altogether. For some of us, running is *less* painful on the joints than brisk walking as it can be a looser movement, but provides better more sustainable cardiovascular exercise and bone strengthening. If you have access to gentler surfaces than pavements and tarmac, and heed all the guidance about non-running days and making it a slow movement, the NHS C25K is worth considering.

Doing other activity as well will support running or walking, things to strengthen the muscles around your joints.

My Dad has RA, doesn't impact on his running - he wins running events (other things do, unfortunately) There is a lot of misunderstanding about running... as if everyone does the same thing (I once asked my Dad why he'd never done a marathon and he said (pre-RA) that he liked his joints too much... so I've always kept off road in my own running and so far so good.

[Mrstubbs in reply to GoogleMe]

Just typed loads then lost it! I tore my meniscus a few years ago and was told to never run or play tennis again. Also that I would eventually need a partial knee replacement. Any advice or encouragement about that would be appreciated!

[GoogleMe in reply to Mrstubbs]

Tough one... all depends whether the person advising never running or playing tennis a) was a runner or tennis player themselves b) knew the part these activities play in your life c) suggested alternative activities you *could* do d) helped you weigh up the risks of inactivity/obesity against the risks of a knee replacement (plenty of people running with those) - and of course pain and disability before that point which is not insignificant and finally e) was a bit lazy or just pushed for time (c is a bit of a clue on that one...).

It might be worth consulting a physiotherapist. (I am certainly no expert on musculo-skeletal matters but I do know a thing or two about doctors, professional judgment and informed decision-making - it's *your* knee, *your* cardiovascular system and *your* life)

Meanwhile, enjoy the walking. Being out with your dog brings so many benefits.