Here are some tips for starting

and sticking to an exercise program:

- Check with your doctor

before starting any fitness program.

- Pick one type of activity

(i.e., walking, tennis, etc.) you enjoy and want to do more of.

- Initially do a little

bit of the activity, enough that does not produce any change in your symptoms.

This is your baseline; add one to five minutes more of this activity a

day to progress to the level you are interested in doing.

- Set simple goals like

a walk around the block, then over time progress to longer-range goals

(a more intense hike in the park).

- Don't let minor

flare-ups stop you. They're just your body's warning response

to the unaccustomed level of activity. Simply lowering the intensity of

your workout will allow your body to recoup and your symptoms will usually

subside in a week depending on how much over-activity was done. Then you

can return to progressing.

The good news is that if you

stick with your activity routine for six months, chances are it will become

a habit. So it's important that you don't let minor pain or stiffness

get in the way of your daily workout. ThermaCare HeatWraps provide at

least eight hours of consistent, low-level therapeutic heat which provides

temporary relief from the most common types of arthritis-related pain.

Rheumatoid arthritis sufferers should talk to a doctor before using heat.

To learn more about how heat can help you, visit www.thermacare.com.

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