You may use this image in your ezine or website if you choose to publish my article. Click here to see the picture full-sized.--- Kamau Austin

Have you noticed that you seem to have more pain in places like
your back - knees and ankles as you age -- especially after
forty.  These nagging pains can hinder your ability to live an
active life style and enjoy sports.
 
In this two-part article I will reveal some of my experiences
overcoming frustrating knee, ankle, back and joint pain caused
from osteoarthritis.  I reveal my success with solutions like
weight loss and dietary supplements.
 
Dietary supplements with promising results were supplements like
Glucosamine Sulfate, Biocell Collagen ll, and a product called
Phosoplex.
 
Most men are considered weekend warriors after 40, and can be
prone to sports injuries when trying to compete even for fun.
A few years ago I injured both my knees trying to play
basketball with some teenagers.
 
I sustained these injuries after training for 3 months in split
training which consisted of lifting weights and running over
three miles 5 times a week.
 
My aerobic activity included running three miles a day or
playing 1 hour of basketball in the morning (after ¾ miles
walking to the track each way).  Then I would do 45 minutes of
weight training in the afternoon.
 
This rigorous training for three months did pay off big time,
in that I lost a lot of weight, and was in the best shape of my
life.  In matter of fact, the teenagers became frustrated
because I obviously had better strength and conditioning.
 
It seemed obvious to many of them a man more than twice their
age had superior endurance and sports skills from experience.
I was old enough to be their father.
 
This training and conditioning did come with a price at my age,
because it was evident that my joints were just not the same as
in my younger years.  My joints and muscles were ache after
hard fought basketball games.
 
Are their ways to avoid stiff and painful joints?  This article
is a reflection of one man's journey in trying to alleviate
joint and back pain.
 
In search of the more healthy and active lifestyle it is
important to minimize pain.  
 
If you are experiencing stiffness and pain in your joints like
your knees, elbows, and back perhaps you may have
Osteoarthritis.  Osteoarthritis is a condition caused by the
worn cartilage.  Cartilage is the tissue between your joints
that cushion their movements.
 
As you age the connective and cushion like material between
your joints becomes worn. You will therefore experience more
pain in your joints.
 
The pain can be very debilitating and frustrating if you want to
live an active lifestyle.
 
However, these are some of the actions I took to overcome
Osteoarthritis.
 
- Slowly Lose Weight
 
I woke up one day after dealing with a very stressful period in
my life and I was 196 pounds.  This was the heaviest I had ever
been, and I knew something had to be done quickly.  At only
5'10" a healthy weight for me, at my age, would be about 170 -
175 pounds (most of my life as a young adult I was about 150
pounds).
 
Therefore I started walking briskly until I could run.  Slowly
but surely I am now able to run 2 or 3 miles in about 20
minutes.
 
I cut down on eating after 7:00 PM.   Furthermore I stopped
ordering so much food at take-out restaurants.
 
The most important factor in getting fit is to have realistic
goals.  After checking with your doctor, to make sure you are
fit enough to exercise.
 
I would have goals to slowly but surely increase my speed and
cardio training.  Once I became more fit I decided that I was
not going to let anyone pass me on the track.
 
Later I decided I was going to pass other people two or three
times on the track.  I really pushed myself.
 
Now I plan to compete in 5K races and complete the NYC marathon
in 2006.  You don't have to set these types of goals, but set
some goals so you can keep yourself motivated.
 
Don't forget to rest and not "over-train".  Only workout 3 - 5
days a week.  Give your body a chance to rest and heal,
especially after forty.
 
Losing weight may help you alleviate your Osteoarthritis pain,
because it can be worst in over weight adults.  This is because
the extra pressure of your weight puts more strain and wear and
tear on your joints.
 
In Part 2 of this article we will discuss wearing the proper
sports equipment and using supplements like Glucosamine Sulfate,
Biocell Collagen ll, and Phosoplex found at Amazon.com and
http://www.bodestore.com can help you lead a more active 
lifestyle. 

Kamau Austin is a health and fitness enthusiast 
and advocate. He is also the publisher of:
http://www.HealthandFitnessVitality.com

This Article must be published with a disclaimer as such...
This article is for general information purposes only. Before
under taking any exercise or treatment program always first
check first with your doctor and health professionals.