By: Nikki Bhatti

Hello, my name is Nikki Bhatti, and I’d like to show you how I stay active with the chronic illness, which is rheumatoid arthritis. As you can see, I began my video with me canoeing in the summer, which is something I do appreciate, but it’s not something I can always do. I also love to bike. I bike outdoors when possible because it’s low impact, and these are during the summer and spring months. But when it’s winter or just year -round I love to spin. Spinning is also very low impact with living with rheumatoid arthritis. I also do Pilates style exercises. These are very low impact and gentle on the body so when I’m in a flare this is straining my joints or doing anything too aggressive. Here I’m doing some strength training, just some light weights. I try not to do anything too crazy, just something that my muscles and body can allow. I usually do this when I’m not flaring as much, but again it’s to keep me healthy and really just focusing on my future self so I don’t encounter any further health issues. I try and hike as much as I can when my ankles and knees allow it.

These are shorter hikes but with a great view I try and do as many walks as I can when the weather is cooperating and here’s some more swimming and I ski and I also snowshoe during the winter months.