Warning! Lack Of Exercise Could Be Harmful To Your Health
You know it's bad when the Surgeon General issues a warning that lack of exercise is hazardous to your health. And that was back in '96. Since then, the stats haven't improved much, either: 25% of the American population is still sedentary and 60% do not exercise regularly (Reference: http://www.cdc.gov).
For fitness minded folks, we could do worse than to follow the "hour-a-day" prescription outlined by the Surgeon General's Healthy People Report. It's just a guideline, of course and, as you already know, any amount of activity packed into your busy schedule is going to earn you healthy rewards. But there are plenty of other reasons to exercise.
"If people exercised only moderately," says Janet Kneiss, Physical Therapist, "there would be far less incidence of injury. The 15 or so people I see daily, who come in with back and neck problems, usually don't want to exercise, they want a quick fix."
The solution as she sees it?
"I think, if people could just reframe the idea of it [exercise] being so much work and focus more on the enjoyment of doing it,they would find the experience more positive."
So, if exercise alone can keep you injury and disease free, how do you keep it from being just another thing "to-do?" Here are a couple ideas:
Do something you enjoy: This sounds incredibly simple, but it's worth mentioning. As we've already said, most seasoned fitness fanatics as well as neophytes will be the first to tell you: if you do something you enjoy, you will stick to it. What do you like to do? Walk? Run? Spin the treadmill while watching the tube? Or how about branching out and trying something unique and different like kick-boxing or martial arts? It's a great idea to add variety; it will keep your exercise fresh and interesting.
Mix it up! Speaking of variety, you can also mix up your routine. For example: try splitting up your exercise sessions. If you take a half-hour walk in the morning, take a half-hour to stretch or resistance train in the afternoon. Just adding a bit of variety could spice things up and keep you motivated. Make an appointment with yourself. Make the commitment to exercise by making an appointment with yourself. Write it on your calendar. If you've never exercised before, start slow [10-15 minutes] then build up. Begin exercising three times a week, then slowly build up your time and your frequency. If you love to exercise, try listening to your bio-rhythms. If you can, schedule exercise during peak energy periods.
Strive for your personal best. A friend e-mailed to tell me he was gearing up for another 5K relay race. I wasn't surprised. When he was 50, never having run before and not having "runners genetics" as he puts it, he decided at 15 pounds overweight and asthmatic, he was going to run. He made up his mind. For a year he trained, dropped the weight and signed up. His first goal was simply to finish. Did he do it: you bet. Did he work through an asthma attack to get across the finish line? He did, but he kept going. Now, he continues to train and improve his time with each race. His secret, he tells me: enjoy the journey, live in the moment, and focus on your personal best.
"So, Laura, what's the take home message?" you ask. Never mind what everyone else is doing. Stay focused on you, doing what you enjoy and what is fun and exciting for you. Learn everything you can about health and fitness. Then, do the best you can. In so doing, you will be an inspiration for others. To summarize: A quote from one of my favorite inspirational writers Dr. Wayne Dyer, who says: "I don't want to be better than anybody, I just want to be better than I was yesterday."
About The Author
Laura Turner, Certified Personal Trainer has developed a series of health, fitness, and nutrition tips available at ===> http://www.1brand-new-body.com In 21 days you can create healthy new you,let her show you how! Get her free report: 7 Steps to a High Performance Body by sending a blank email to: ===> mailto:hiperformbody@getresponse.com
Related Articles:
7 Reasons To Start Up With an Exercise Program
Most of us need to follow an exercise program. This is due to the fact that just a minority of Americans exercise in a significant way.
3 Blunders To Avoid on Your Weight Loss Journey
There are times on your weight loss journey when progress can come to a halt. Days or weeks can go by without you seeing movement on the scale, and it can get downright frustrating. After working with thousands of clients, I?ve noticed certain patterns that can cause this weight loss stoppage. Here are 3 of those patterns.
What About The Zone Diet?
What Are Gums?
Autumn Exercise Tips for Thrifty New York City Boomers & Seniors
Past 50 exercise expert says adventurous, economical exercise is easy, if you live in New York City.
Are Weight Loss Patches For Real?
Weight loss patches are available in the market along with weight loss supplements, pills and creams The weight loss industry is a multi billion dollar industry and the growth rate for the industry is quite steep
How To Speed Up Weight Loss On Medifast Diet
Medifast weight loss program is one of your last chances to lose those extra pounds in no time and get slim again. I really mean your last chance, because that?s the truth ? what has been written and said for diets and weight loss so far is what will be rewritten and repeated for years on end.
Fast Weight Loss: Just How Far Will You Go?
Fast Weight Loss: Just How Far Will You Go?
Weight Loss: Where to find Hidden Calories
If you have been eating as usual and the pounds seem to be
creeping on - you could be a victim of hidden calories.When we are busy, stressed or focused on something else
we reach for convenient snacks that are usually high in fat.
Water Helps to Lose Weight - Learn the Proven Methods Now!
There can be many ways to lose weight And many people try almost everything just to lose some kilos off their weight
How To Create A Diabetic Diet Plan
Diabetes is a very common disease and in the United States 20.8 million people or 7% of the population of both children and adults have some form of this disease. For those who have this disease it is good to know that it can be controlled with a few lifestyle changes. Unfortunately for many people changing their daily habits can be both hard and frustrating. The foods they have always enjoyed are off limits and are replaced with healthy foods that can take some getting used to. This is particularly true for people who have a sweet tooth and find giving up sugar to be a hard proposition.
Ancient Chinese Wisdom And Weight Loss: Acupuncture
The Chinese are known for their ancient healing techniques that make use of nothing but nature's best. Once such technique is acupuncture which dates back 2,000 years.
Hoodia Weight Loss Patches
Hoodia comes in lots of different shapes and forms. You can buy it in capsules, as a liquid to drink, as a tea to brew. It also comes in hoodia patches.
Cheap Exercise Equipment
One of the best ways to get a hold of some usable home gym equipment is to check out yard sales. Of course many people would overlook this option but if you look you are able to find some great equipment at a great price.
Personal Trainers Announce Support of FTC Weight Loss Plans
The Fitness Together Franchise Corporation (FTFC) announced their support of the Federal Trade Commission's policies on weight loss. Today, there are more weight loss theories and philosophies than can possibly be counted, causing many people to either give up on their weight loss goals out of confusion, or simply not begin. Since 1983 Fitness Together has worked with thousands of people in need, today employing 3,000 personal trainers worldwide responsible for training 30,000 clients weekly.
Diabetic Diet: A Guide to Plan a Diet to Control Diabetes
Diabetic is a serious disease where the patient can suffer from major problems if he or she does not take proper care about controlling and treating it as directed by the doctor.
