I have a few medical issues that prevent me from doing somethings and then on days when I'm just exhausted from my JRA , I would love to still be able to do some type of working out .

My doctor said for me to do what feels comfortable lol ...thats not a big help. I have adult stills disease which is a rare form of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, asthma (which is exercise induced and allergy induced) -I've had that since 2 years old but havent had an attack for 2 years and haven't used my inhaler in forever but I only walk and do a few exercises from my cable on demand lol.

I've been thinking of purchasing a treadmill or elliptical but not sure yet which one . Any ideas on low impact activities- that could help me shed the pounds as well as gain muscle?

Do you have access to a pool? Or a gym that offers aquatic classes? Working against the resistance of the water can work the muscles, and you can get a good aerobic workout, but it's easier on the joints.

I second the pool recommendation. I deal with back and knee issues and swimming really helped when I first started trying to lose weight. In addition to swimming laps, I also got one of those aqua joggers which helped. It's a floaty that you tie to your waist and it allows you to run in the water - super low impact, but a good work out.

I also started doing yoga and that really helped with joint and muscle pains too. I'd recommend trying a few different instructors, and if you introduce yourself I've had instructors offer modifications for positions that might be hard on my back and/or knee.

What about hula hooping? It's pretty low impact, and it is good for the abs. I want to start it but I will have to make a hoop, I can't find one big enough for me.

Swimming is great but it is easy to not feel like doing it- wet hair etc.
Both the treadmill and elliptical are great options. If you are looking for lower cost alternatives to start. I started with Turbo Jam DVD's. Very low impact- no jumping but a good workout and time flies. I would suggest you even consider joining a local gym vs getting a treadmill or elliptical- this will give you an opportunity to try different equipment, do classes etc.

good old fashioned walking. even if you just walk to the store and back to buy a bottle of fruit juice etc it all mounts up.

as summer comes perhaps you could get out up into the hills and walk some easier trails.

I have arthritic knees and a recently sprained foot and some old injuries from a car accident. I had to give up the treadmill when I sprained my foot and went crazy trying to figure out an exercise (I belong to 2 gyms and neither have a pool).

I settled on a rebounder and you can work up a sweat with no pressure on your joints. I find it amazing how hard a workout I can get without pain. I bought a "cardiolates" DVD from my Pilates studio (Pilates on Fifth in New York, they have a website) and it has 20 minutes of stretching Pilates style then several rebounder routines (as long as you want, I do 20 minutes but there are many different routines on the DVD) and then a 10 minute cooldown.

There are plenty of other rebounding DVDs and lots of rebounder exercises on YouTube and even if you just get on it and jump up and down, you get a workout. I leave it in front of the TV and do some low impact "Health Bouncing" (where you don't lift your feet off the rebounder) a few times a day and then do one "heavy" routine once a day.

It's important to get a good rebounder but if you've got injury issues or joint issues, rebounding is a great workout.

You might try out yoga. It did wonders for my tennis elbow. I think it's because it allowed both my muscles and my joints and tissues to get a lot stronger, but without the repetitive motion of other exercises. I don't know if the same would be true with your arthritis, but maybe. Plus, yoga is all about listening to your body and working with it and not against it.