Try walking to ease joint pain

May is Arthritis Awareness Month and the perfect time to pump up your physical activity.

Walking is the best medicine

Despite the known benefits of physical activity to help manage arthritis, adults with arthritis are less active than adults without arthritis. Walking has been shown to improve arthritis pain, fatigue, function, and quality of life. Walking is low impact on your joints, can be done almost anywhere and doesn't require special equipment or a gym membership. Celebrate Arthritis Awareness Month by starting a walking program today.

Getting started

Federal guidelines recommend all adults, including adults with arthritis, get at least 150 minutes per week of at least moderate intensity aerobic activity and that they do muscle strengthening exercises at least two days per week. Walking is a moderate intensity activity that people with arthritis can do to meet physical activity recommendations. If you walk for 30 minutes a day, five days a week, you will meet these recommendations.

Don't think you can walk for 30 minutes at one time? You can break it up into 10 minute sessions and spread it out during the day -- walk the dog 10 minutes in the morning, take a 10 minute walk to discuss a project with a co-worker, and walk 10 minutes around a sports facility or parking lot while waiting to pick up your children from after school activities.

Fun ways you can fit walking into your life

* Enroll in the Walk With Ease program. This program has been shown to improve arthritis pain, fatigue, function and quality-of-life. It can be done in a group setting or by yourself at your own pace. arthritis.org/wwe

* Sign up to participate in an Arthritis Walk near you.

* Walk your dog or volunteer to walk dogs at an animal shelter.

* Suggest to co-workers to have "walking meetings."

* Park 10 minutes away from your office and walk the rest of the way.

* Start a Walking School Bus in your neighborhood.

* Walk around the soccer field, basketball court or softball field when your children are at sports practice.

* Buy an inexpensive pedometer and work to increase your steps a little each day.

* Have a friendly competition with a spouse, friend or co-worker.

* When the weather is bad, stop by your local mall and walk a few laps.