Big-Belly Blues

Flexibility exercises will help you get limber and reduce your risk of injury. It only takes a few minutes to stretch your major muscles and ligaments. Stretching is a fine way to warm up before and cool down after your daily sustained exercise.Although they are often overlooked, exercises for balance are particularly important for older folks who are at risk for falling. For example, practice standing on one foot, first with your eyes open and later with your eyes closed. Walk a straight line as if you were on a tightrope, putting one foot right in front of the other. Get up from a chair without using your arms.

It's hard to detail exercises for strength, flexibility and balance in a few words. That's why I devoted a full chapter to each in "The No Sweat Exercise Plan." The book offers a simple program for people of any age, and all the exercises can be done at home with very simple equipment. But if your arthritis is severe, I think you should consult your doctor and a physical therapist instead of reading a book. As much as I crave readers, I believe an individualized exercise prescription is best for people with significant medical problems.

Simon is associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, author of "The No Sweat Exercise Plan" (McGraw-Hill) and founding editor of the Harvard Men's Health Watch. For more information, go to health.harvard.edu. Readers should consult a medical professional for an accurate diagnosis.

© 2008