May Is National Arthritis Month

Some of you reading this posting may think that you’re way too young to be thinking about Arthritis, or like me, some of you may be experiencing a few more aches and pains than you did a few years ago (and perhaps wondering, “why?”).

While arthritis does affect 50% of adults over the age of 65, there are ~ 9 million people under the age of 44 suffering from doctor-diagnosed arthritis including osteoarthritis, gout, fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis.

It’s important to consider that regardless of your age, people who are overweight or obese report more doctor-diagnosed arthritis than people with a lower body mass index (BMI). Statistically speaking, 66% of adults with doctor-diagnosed arthritis are overweight or obese so if you need yet another excuse to lose those extra pounds, there you go.

Check out the Website Fight Arthritis Pain for fantastic resources, including a tool for assessing your osteoarthritis risk, community support forums a local events calendar, and a movement tracker widget that can be shared on social networking sites and will help keep you on track as you try to move daily.

Remember, if you’re already suffering from arthritis; discuss an exercise plan with your doctor as some exercises may be off limits depending on joint issues.

With that said, one exercise just about all of us can benefit from is walking and throughout the month of May there will be over 100 Arthritis Walks held nationwide to help raise awareness and funds to help improve the lives of those that live with arthritis. For more info visit: http:// www.fightarthritispain.org

Train hard; stay strong.

Peace.

Susan