Hi, Paulette!

You will love the daily walk once you get in the habit. My walk turns a
dark mood into a smile. There's just something about that rhythm, the
deeper-than-usual breathing, and getting away from what has to be done
at home or work. It helps me sleep too.

I walk around my immediate neighborhood on a regular path that my car's
odometer says is about 1.8 miles. When I first started walking, the
route took a full 40 minutes. After a few months, I could do it in 30;
on a good day, 20 to 25. Since I've gone off the arthritis meds and had
all kinds of bronchial chaos, I'm back to 30+, but the emotional
healing is just as good. I start the trip grumpy, grumbling to myself
about this and that, and by the time I'm home, things are OK.

You'll probably like the PT too, Just make sure the therapist listens
as well as your rheumy does. Some therapists don't understand that you
know a good hurt from a bad hurt, and they won't respect when you say
Stop. If that happens, find another one. The woman who first taught me
to listen to my own body was a PT. But I only met her because the first
one made my tendinitis bad enough that I needed ultrasound. PTs and
personal trainers can teach you a lot about how to make your body feel
better. I've enjoyed both.

Good luck juggling your schedule!

Pell