You Were Made To Move

Many of the degenerative things that are associated with aging are caused more by a lack of exercise.  According to a 2007 report on Physical Activity and Public Health, co-published by the American College of Sports Medicine, and the American Heart Association, adults need regular aerobic and strength training exercises to promote and maintain health.  It's unfortunate most adults do not perform the minimum amount of physical activity required for health and fitness and this situation is even more magnified with age.

Lack of physical activity is obviously associated with obesity, but it's also linked to a variety of degenerative conditions such as cardiovascular disease, stroke, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, colon cancer, breast cancer, anxiety, and depression.  These things are all the leading causes of death, and suffering today and they have more to do with lifestyle choice than with aging.

Your body was made to be active and reaping the benefits of exercise is not a difficult task. The minimum activity recommendation for adults are not hard to achieve.  For cardiovascular fitness, the guidelines call for moderate-intensity aerobic activity 5 days a week for a total of 150 minutes, (that's a brisk 30 minute walk 5 times a week).  For muscular fitness, the recommendation is 8 to 10 resistance exercises performed for one set of 10 to 15 repetitions, 2 or 3 days per week, ( this can be accomplished in 15 to 20 minutes).  So, all together that's only 3.5 hours of exercise per week.

It's really amazing when you think that it only takes a little over 3 hours out of your whole week to reap the benefits of physical activity in your life.  If you don't do it for yourself, do it for your loved ones, you owe it to them to stay healthy and fit.

Please checkout my complete strength training exercise routines at Forever Fit and Firm.