I get a lot of reader questions from people who are currently suffering from arthritis (both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis) and are wondering if they can still exercise safely to lose weight.

For years the answer was always to stay away from working out, but after doing some considerable research into this subject it seems that as long as the exercise does not cause pain while performing it then it is not only acceptable to do, but recommended.

Here’s what says Zuzana de Jong, PhD, rheumatologist and researcher at Leiden University Medical Center in the Netherlands has to say, “my research shows that people who participated in high-intensity exercise, such as sports, jogging or strength training, at least twice a week, improved in daily functioning and mood.”

She also went on to say that exercise DID NOT speed up the rate of joint deterioration, which is something that many arthritis suffers worry about.

So if you’re ready to get started, I suggest you first speak with your doctor and then ease into an exercise program slowly. Start with just some light walking and possibly 2 days a week of strength training for about 20 minutes. If all of that goes well you can gradually increase your workout threshold until you find the right balance.