“Who said exercise couldn’t be enjoyable?!”

Please note: Below I’ve provided links to Amazon. I am an Amazon affiliate and only promote products that I truly believe in. I may receive compensation if you purchase an item through one of my links , but this in no way affects the cost to you. Thank you!

Do you live with chronic pain or functional limitations? Problems such as back, hip, or knee pain from surgeries or arthritis can all take a toll on your daily life. Normal activities such as walking up stairs, mowing the lawn, entering and exiting the shower, and walking around the block become tremendously difficult. Let alone trying to exercise!

So what are you supposed to do if your doctor tells you to start exercising? What’s the next step if you’ve finished rehab/physical therapy and they tell you to keep working out? Even if you have access to a gym, just traveling to the gym can be taxing and requires a mode of transport. The easiest home exercise plan to stick to is the one that takes place right there – at home.

There’s one piece of equipment that I’ve found to be very effective for almost anyone with some sort of chronic pain or functional limitation. It can be adapted to fit your specific needs and is ideal for any body size.  And it’s not a $1000 treadmill or a $250 stationary bike! But it helps increase your endurance, strengthens your muscles, and builds up your heart. You not only are able to exercise with it but also can improve your stamina and become able to complete your activities of daily living (ADLS) with less difficulty and less breaks.

So what’s the one exercise tool that I recommend above all others for those with chronic pain or functional limitations?

“There’s no feeling like finishing a 5k.”

Are you thinking about getting back in shape, but don’t know how to start? Have you made many resolutions and begun multiple exercise programs in the past, but not stuck with them?

You should consider running a 5k!

What’s a 5k, you ask?

A 5k is a 5 kilometer or 3.1 mile run, typically run as a road race. There are tons of them across the US all year long. They usually have a small sign-up fee, and are often held as fundraisers for charities, organizations, or in memory of someone. While some are more competitive, most will accept runners of all levels (and walkers if that’s more up your alley!).

The “couch to 5k” name in itself shows that this trend is a great first step for those looking to become more active and healthy. It’s an excellent goal to work towards. However, while many start training with the best of intentions, not everyone succeeds. Just because you have this objective doesn’t mean all your old barriers are going to disappear.

In order to help you cross that finish line, I’m providing my tips and tricks for new exercisers/runners. When you lace up your shoes and face that open front door, you’ll now have the ramp you need to hop those hurdles!

Today’s post is all about weight lifting for female beginners. This post contains lots of helpful tips to get better results, prevent injury, and make you look like a weight lifting pro, even though you only just started!

I neglected weight training for a long time, opting instead for the ever-popular cardio.

However, I can now say that weights have had the biggest effect, not only on my sense of empowerment, but also my physique.