I have severe osteo in the neck, spine and hips, have moderate osteo in the knees and feet and hands. I know I need weight bearing excersises but I also can't lift over 3lbs cuz of hand and neck surgeries and arthritis. so when I go to the gym I walk for 5 minutes, then run (more like a trot)for 5, then walk, run etc etc that way I'm not overdoing the run or at least I think so. Am I just fooling myself into thinking this won't cause a break doing a run 5 mins then walk? Other times I walk 1 min, run 1 minute and do this for 30 minutes, would that be less jolting on the joints since I'm one that can't use my hands even for moderate housework so using the weights and machines is out of the picture?

I think it important to be cognizant of what feels right for your body. An orthopedic doc informed me that running would not be good for people with osteo and I found that running (I used to be a serious runner) no longer felt right on my spine, and my hips often hurt for days afterward. That said, I don't think this necessarily would hold true for everyone with osteo. What you are doing sounds mild enough (1 minute or 5) and as long as you are not experiencing any pain or after effects I would just continue your regime.