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fall walking workout for arthritis

Make Your Arthritis Workout More Social This Fall

The air is crisp. The leaves are changing colors. You’re in a great walking groove. But the days are getting shorter. The temps are getting colder. Don’t let the changing seasons get you off track. Nothing’s worth compromising your health.

“We know that walking is important for people with arthritis for a number of reasons, from reducing pain and fatigue to preventing weight gain and boosting your mood,” says Michael Mantell, PhD, a spokesperson for the American Council on Exercise. Try these strategies to keep your feet moving this fall:

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The Benefits of Winter Walking for Arthritis

Just because the trees are bare and there’s a chill in the air doesn’t mean you have to forgo those daily walks outside for the dreaded treadmill. Anything but! In fact, outdoor walking during winter may have surprising benefits for people with arthritis. In addition to the decreased pain and disability you get from walking, stepping out in winter air can also:

Keep bones strong

Like bears, people tend to hibernate during the winter and, as a result, get too little sunlight, explains Lynn Millar, PhD, chair and professor of physical therapy at Winston-Salem State University in N.C. That’s too bad for bones. Sun exposure triggers vitamin D production in the skin, and bones need the “sunshine vitamin” to make the body absorb bone-strengthening calcium properly. Not getting outside during winter months slows down production and decreases the body’s store of vitamin D.

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