Overweight Women Can Still be Active, but Need the Right Support First!
Wellgate for Women Help Plus-Size Crowd Get Fit
CEDAR RAPIDS (January 15, 2009) - Women everywhere relate to Oprah's struggle with weight. Juggling long hours at work and family responsibilities make it difficult to keep exercising. Oprah advises women to put themselves back on their to-do list.
"When it comes to maintaining my health I didn't just fall off the wagon, I let the wagon fall on me," Winfrey wrote in the latest issue of O magazine, describing how she now weighs 200 pounds, up 40 pounds since 2006. But Winfrey said that doesn't mean she's thrown in the towel on staying healthy and fit, it just won't be while wearing a size 6.
Oprah's new determination may help inspire women to get fit. And it is important that they do it right.
When fighting the battle of the bulge, a fitness routine is imperative. But if you are overweight, it's crucial to have the right equipment to minimize the risk of injury, says Megan Barclay, a NYC physical therapist.
"Women need to realize that extra weight puts additional stress on knees and ankles," says Barclay. "All the best intentions for exercising go out the window if you suffer an injury that was easily avoided."
That means it's vital to use support during a workout. Be careful, however, one size does not fit all. Wellgate for Women offers a line of ankle, knee and wrist supports specifically designed for women, including the plus-sized population.
The premise behind Wellgate products is simple: men and women are built differently. A woman's body shape and joint positioning is very different from a man's. "That means a brace or support used by a man can't be expected to be just as effective for a woman," Barclay notes.
This is especially important when considering that women are more likely than men to suffer knee injuries like anterior cruciate ligament tears and patella tracking pain. Women are also more vulnerable to footwear-induced ankle sprains.
Barclay warns overweight women are even more susceptible to injury because, for every extra10 pounds a woman carries on her bone structure, the force on the knees increases 30 to 60 pounds per step.
For overweight women - nearly 62 percent of the U.S. female population, according to the American Obesity Association -- Wellgate offers its Ultralite Knee Support in a Queen size. Designed to be worn underneath clothing, it provides firm support for running or walking, and is suitable for everyday use or to help rehabilitate from an injury, such as tendonitis or a sprain. "The key is to get moving. Make exercise a habit," Barclay says. "But you need to do it right. Wearing the right supports goes a long way toward ensuring that's the case." Be sure to consult with your physician before starting any exercise program.
For more information, visit www.wellgateproducts.com. Wellgate ankle, knee, and wrist products are available nationally at Wal-Mart, K-Mart, and Target.
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Contact:
Suzy Ginsburg
713-721-4774
suzy@gcomworks.com