Maintaining a healthy weight and reducing stress on joints helps keep your joints healthy and pain-free. However, if you maintain a sedentary lifestyle because movement and exercise are uncomfortable, you risk worsening your condition. Joints need movement to remain lubricated and healthy. The more you sit and the less your joints are engaged, the less healthy they become. If you have struggled with obesity for a prolonged period and experience pain and swelling in your joints, your first step should be weight reduction. A medically supervised weight loss programme offers the advantage of rapid weight loss while still maintaining high-quality nutrition. With a doctor-assisted programme, you can shed excess weight and gradually prepare your joints to work again. As your weight reduces, you will find it easier to begin moving around. Many people find that they have more energy while losing weight, which helps them become more active. During this time, movement will benefit not only your weight loss but your joints as well. However, it is important to start slowly to avoid aggravating your pain or causing injury. One way to do this is through low-impact activities. These are activities that increase your heart rate without putting additional pressure on your joints. Examples include: Walking Cycling Yoga Swimming Your weight doctor may also prescribe medications such as anti-inflammatories or muscle relaxants to support you as you begin these lifestyle changes. Joint pain is a manageable condition that can improve through weight loss. Dr Primack and Dr Ziltzer will assist you in adjusting medications and provide advice on activity during your weight loss and wellness journey.