Summer Fun!

Summer fun is officially here!

While those of us in Wisconsin and other northern climes understand the long, long wait we have for wonderful weather, there is nothing stopping us from being active all year round.

Moving is truly the best medicine and now that we can get up and get outside with warm temperatures and lots of sunshine, here are some tips for making the most out of your exercise!

1. Good gear – make sure your shoes fit right! The right shoe should be roomy enough to minimize rubbing against joint deformities, such as bunions and hammertoes, which can cause corns and calluses, but also be snug and firm enough to provide sufficient support. Cross-trainers are suggested over running shoes because they are heavier, but sturdier.

2. Walk together – find a buddy! Using the buddy system helps you stay motivated and makes walking fun. You can often find walking groups through senior centers, your local shopping center’s mall walking group, or online. Many of these groups meet all year long.

3. Avoid smog – reduce your exposure to air pollution! If you live in a city, walking in the afternoon might be hazardous to your health. Smog hangs in the air in the hot afternoons which could cause asthma, coughing and if regularly exposed to it, lung cancer. Walking in the early morning or after sunset reduces your risk. Avoiding busy streets, walking in the mall or at the gym also helps. Be sure and listen to local weather reports when they say that air pollution is high.

4. Be creative – vary your route! If the same old route isn’t inspiring, try something new. Walk to a new destination or try a new park. Not only will the new route be a challenge to your muscles, it also helps stimulate your brain.

5. Prioritize – make time to exercise! One of the top reasons people put off exercising is saying that they don’t have time to walk. People who make time for exercising, are the ones who stick with it. If you have trouble fitting it in and you feel able, you can work it into your day by walking to visit a friend’s house or walking to a store that you need to go to anyway. After you have dinner at a restaurant, walk around before you get back in your car if you feel the neighborhood is safe. If you honestly can’t fit it in your day, don’t worry and make an effort to walk the next day.

6. Perk up – enjoy the mental health benefits! Walking is good for your body AND your brain! Walking has been known to slow memory loss, lower Alzheimer’s risk, improve your sleep and your mood. Walking releases endorphins as natural painkillers and antidepressants (a la Elle Woods in Legally Blonde) and provides time to clear your mind.

For more fitness tips, visit Arthritis Today or www.fightarthritispain.org.

Calling all advocates (that’s you, too)!

The Time is Now and Your Voice is Needed   Demand accessible, affordable, and comprehensive health care reform   Take Action! Contact your Members of Congress Now Congress continues to work on legislation to overhaul the U.S. health care system..   Currently, the House of Representatives and the Senate are each preparing separate health care reform proposals and in the coming weeks, these bills will be debated  before the full Senate and House.  The House and Senate proposals each have different provisions that would be beneficial to people with arthritis.  For example, the Senate bill will likely establish a  loan repayment program for pediatric specialists, which would help address the critical shortages of pediatric rheumatologists in the country.  The House bill will likely place an annual cap on the out-of-pocket expenses for an individual at $5,000 and $10,000 for a family.  Please remind your Members of Congress that you want accessible, affordable, and comprehensive health care reform this year.  It is too important for millions of Americans with arthritis to leave the task undone. The Arthritis Foundation supports reforming the current health care system to address the needs of people with arthritis by doing the following: Eliminate the barriers to purchase health insurance due to arthritis (pre-existing conditions); Ensure access to affordable health coverage without full-time employment; Include preventive care and access to evidence-based interventions; Cap out-of-pocket expenses for medications; and Provide loan repayment options for pediatric rheumatologists. The Arthritis Foundation urges you to email or call your Members of Congress and tell them about the health care needs of people with arthritis and to retain the critical provisions described above.

Update from the AF in Washington, D.C.

Congress needs to hear from people with arthritis.  They need to hear about the real needs and legitimate concerns such as eliminating discrimination from insurance policies, portability, and affordability.  The Arthritis Foundation wants Congress to pass meaningful health care reform that will address the needs of people with arthritis. Congress has been actively working on health care reform legislation since last year.  In fact, health care reform legislation has been introduced by some Members for many years now. Currently, the Senate Finance Committee is reviewing and debating its legislative proposal.  Next, it will be combined with the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committees’ legislation.  Once there is one unified Senate bill, it will move to debate/discussion on the Senate floor.  On the House side, the three committees with jurisdiction over health care have each passed their own legislative proposals, which must be combined together and then move to the House floor for debate.  After the House and Senate pass their respective legislation, a few select Members from the Senate and the House will form a conference committee to negotiate/reconcile the differences between the two bills.  Once the conference committee completes their work and there is one bill, the bill will need to be voted on by the House and the Senate again.  If passed by both chambers, it goes to the President for signature into law. Current expectations are for the legislative process for health care reform to continue until some time in December. There is about 80% agreement amongst Members of Congress for key provisions like eliminating pre-existing conditions when purchasing health insurance.  Members of Congress must remain committed to the task of working through the remaining 20%.  Health care reform legislation is not inevitable, and we must keep up the pressure to make sure Congress knows what reforms are needed to benefit people with chronic diseases like arthritis. Some Arthritis Advocates have been asking about the status of the Arthritis Prevention, Control and Cure Act (HR 1210/S. 984) -it is still pending in committee.  However, the same committees that will review and move the Arthritis Act are the same ones writing and negotiating health care reform.  Until health care reform is completed, these committees will not be addressing other health legislation.  Meanwhile, the Arthritis Foundation is advocating for provisions of the Arthritis Act to be incorporated into health care reform legislation where appropriate.  For example, Sen. Brown (Ohio) added an amendment to the Senate HELP committee’s bill to provide for school loan repayment for pediatric specialists-this would include pediatric rheumatologists.  Also, all of the health care reform proposals focus on disease prevention and wellness promotion consistent with provisions of the Arthritis Act expanding arthritis prevention through evidence-based programs. Contact your Members of Congress about Health Care Reform Today