okay, here's one for all you excercise addicts, help me out here......

[fryalot]

I have arthritis and I would like to get fit.

I don't do any actual excercise, but I do run around after my two littlies all day....

I can't run due to dodgy knees, and I don't have much time - if any - away from the kids.

So, any suggestions for an old, knackered demic like me to become a fit, healthy yummy mummy?

tia

btw: my fingers are totally excercised thanks to mn!

I thought yoga/pilates/stretching and aerobics would be good for arthritic knees. And then I found this from the Knee Society (long, but interesting). I'd see your GP and get referred to a physio and then plan an exercise programme that you can do at home.

Aerobic Exercise

When pain has decreased, physicians generally recommend at least 30 minutes a day of low-impact exercise a day for patients with arthritis. You should try to cut back on activities that put a pounding on your knees, like running and strenuous weight lifting.

Cross-training exercise programs are commonly prescribed when you have arthritis. Depending on your preferences, your workouts may vary each day between cycling, cross-country skiing machines, elliptical training machines, swimming, and other low-impact cardiovascular exercises. Walking is usually better for arthritic knees than running, and many patients prefer swimming in a warm pool, which takes your body weight off your knees and makes movement easier.

Strengthening

Strength training usually focuses on moving light weights through a complete, controlled range of motion. You should generally avoid trying to lift as much as possible with your quadriceps and hamstrings. Your physical therapist typically teaches you to move slowly through the entire movement, like bending and straightening your knee, with enough resistance to work your muscles without stressing the bones in your knee.

that's brilliant, norksbride.... thank you