Arthritis Foundation e-newsletter says "exercise is good for arthritis"

I was finished talking about exercise until I saw Thursday's Arthritis Today e-newsletter,   They ask the question:  What about people with arthritis?  Should they be getting exercise? 

“Exercise is good for arthritis.”  They use the F.I.T.T. Chart (frequency, intensity, time and type) to answer questions such as ‘how much exercise’ and ‘what kind’? 

•  Frequency refers to how often a person should exercise.  Their answer:  “Daily exercise is best, but its benefits are cumulative.”  If you can fit three 10 minute walks into your schedule but not one 30 minute walk, you still gain benefits from the multiple, short time frames.     

• Intensity means how hard you work out.  The Arthritis Foundation recommends the talk test.  While you are exercising, if you can talk but not sing, consider your exercise moderate.  If you cannot talk without losing your breath, you are doing vigorous exercise.  As you begin to exercise, start slow and increase gradually.  

Tomorrow I will discuss Time and Type of the exercise the Arthritis Foundation recommends. The e-newsletter can be found at

http://www.arthritistoday.org/fitness/starting-out/tips-for-success/how-much-is-enough.php?WT.mc_id=MBS_11Well2

Christine Schwab Interview post #10

What advice would you share with someone dealing with rheumatoid arthritis (or any chronic disease)? 

Never, ever give up. Chronic disease is a roller coaster ride. Enjoy the highs and tolerate the lows knowing they will pass. Find a doctor who believes they can help you. Be pro-active.  Always try something new. Don't be fearful, embrace new treatments. Attitude is everything. Look at me. I have my life back. Was I afraid of taking a trial medicine? I didn't let myself go there. 

Thank you, Christine for sharing with us.  Readers, I recommend Christine Schwab’s new book, Take me home from the OSCARS:  Arthritis, Television, Fashion and Me. 

Christine Schwab interview post #9

Christine, on page 184 you summarized your fight for a normal life:  “Arthritis might have ravaged parts of my body, but I had fought back.  I might have lost control of my health for a while, but I managed my ability to deal with adversity.  I was still the same expert in style and fashion, but now I was also an expert in surviving.”  That’s a great statement and I (with your other fans) applaud your success.  Thank you for sharing your story.  

Thank you ! I so appreciate your support for this book. People like you will enable me to change how people perceive arthritis.

Christine Schwab interview post #8

I’m so glad to read Enbrel has put your RA into remission.  You’ve been taking it since 1997, fourteen years.  Are you still working full time?   This is your third book.  You’ve written Quickstyle and The Grown-Up Girl’s Guide to Style.  Do you plan to write more books?  

No to working full time.  My writing consumes most of my time. Media is important for promoting my writing and my goals. Social media now consumes way too much of my time, much to my surprise as I spend hours on FaceBook and Twitter. My life is the same mix of work, just in different proportions. Yes as to writing more books, I have so many books in my head waiting to get on paper.

Christine Schwab interview post #7

On page 97, you said, “rheumatoid arthritis took away the ability to be perfect, and not being perfect for me, even as an' adult, threatened every fiber of my being.”  How do you feel about this statement today?

Really if I am honest... The same. The book explains my childhood and why perfection was so important. And today I work just as hard to eat well, exercise, dress stylish yet appropriate and of course hair color. I am sure I will always be this way but it makes me feel good and that is important.  (Reader, notice Christine Schwab's 1st book published in 1998)

Christine Schwab interview post #6

Christine, in chapter 4 of my Arthritis:  A Patient’s Guide book, I talk about working through the stages of grief when a person is diagnosed with a disease, especially one as life changing as RA.  I read in Take me HOME from the OSCARS that you have gone through many of the stages (denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance).  Where do you feel you are currently?

In acceptance. This book has made me accept. And even now I see some people look at me differently. Some TV associates see me differently. It will all be worthwhile if I can take away the stigma of the disease. That's my ultimate challenge.

Christine Schwab interview post #5

For many years, you felt you had to hide your Rheumatoid Arthritis for fear you would lose your career and lifestyle?  What has changed in Hollywood that you finally feel able to share your story in this book?

Nothing has changed in Hollywood! They don't want to talk about arthritis because it is still associated with being old and crippled even though that is not the case. My goal with this book is to change the perception. My life has always been about style, yet I have arthritis. And I know there are many celebrities that have it and like me are afraid to speak out. Arthritis today is NOT the same as it was for our parents and grandparents. New drugs and treatments are changing arthritis but now we need to remove the stigma.  We need celebrities to come forward and make it ok to talk about arthritis.  (Reader, notice Christine's second book published in 2006)

Christine Schwab interview post #4

As I read your book, you made me feel your physical pain and mental distress as you fought to keep your career going in spite of your physical problems.  On page 66 you made a profound statement that people dealing with pain will identify with.  “When you’re in pain, side effects become secondary to relief.”  Do you have any residual side effects (besides the osteoporosis you talked about)?

I do. I have some damage to my hands that occurred when I was in the UCLA research program because unbeknownst to me I was on placebo the entire time and that was when the damage occurred. I had some loss of hair from some drugs and I had a few hair transplants (that I did a segment on ET about) around my face. One drug caused small amount of hearing loss. As you know most drugs have side effects but when you are in chronic pain what choice do you have? And all in all my side effects are minor in comparison to the pain I was in. And if you met me today you would never know of my arthritis ordeal.

Christine Schwab interview post #3

If I read correctly, your symptoms began September 1990 when you were in New York City doing makeovers for Regis and Kathie Lee.  You suspected you had overdone your exercise routine when your feet starting hurting.  By October you were seeing your doctor in an effort to get relief from the pain.  Before the doctor gave you the RA diagnosis, did you have an inkling that your life had changed permanently?

No. I was positive I had injured myself on the treadmill and wearing heels. Arthritis was the farthest thing from my mind. After the diagnosis in January I was in denial. I couldn't have arthritis. I was young, physically toned and a television personality. In my mind I didn't fit the profile. Denial had always worked in my childhood and it worked once again.

Christine Schwab interview post #2

Hi Christine.  I’m so pleased to interview you.  I’ve read Take me HOME from the OSCARS and enjoyed it a lot.  Your life with your husband Shelley sounds very glamorous.  You’ve socialized and worked with famous people through your career and personal life.  What are your favorite glamorous events?

There is no equal to attending the Oscars or Emmys. Working in live television is a high. Fashion is glamorous. Being on Entertainment Tonight. Oprah, The Today Show and 25 years on Live with Regis have all been incredible. Publishing three books has been a dream.

Christine, what are your favorite everyday events? 

Simple things like working in my garden, spending an entire day writing, cooking a big dinner for my family or walking the beach with my husband fill me with happiness. And now talking-to groups about overcoming adversity and never giving up on dreams and watching their interest makes me feel that I am meant to do this.