I recently started your strength training program, and just learned that I have arthritis. I want to continue the training and am at 10 pounds. I have no problem with ten pounds, except that a few hours later my wrists begin to ache badly. Thank you for any suggestions you might make.

We've done a lot of work with people who have arthritis - both rheumatoid and osteoarthritis - and they've done very well with strength training. The key is to increase the weights very slowly. If you're having pain, the reason could be that you have been progressing too fast. We recommend that those with arthritis increase their weights only every three to four weeks. This allows all parts of the body - including hands and wrists - to get strong together. Here are three suggestions:

• If you're having problems with ten pounds, drop back to eight or even five and then move up more slowly.
• Make sure that you aren't gripping the dumbbells too tightly when you do the exercises. Keep a secure but gentle grip on the handles.
• If you continue to have problems, consider hiring a personal trainer for a session or two. He or she will check your form and help you modify the program to fit your needs.