| Now that summer is fast approaching and you’ve had a little taste of some warm and sunny weather, you’re probably thinking of dusting off the hiking and running shoes, cleaning up the bike and kayak, tightening the strings on the tennis racquet and oiling the dried up leather baseball glove in the closet. Right? For some of you, the answer is obviously “yes.” For too many of you, the answer remains a resounding “no!”
Recent news does not bode well for the state of American’s health, especially American children’s health. Kids (and adults) are fatter than ever and an alarming number of children are being diagnosed with type II diabetes, the kind that can often be attributed to a sedentary life-style.
Lack of physical activity, combined with a high-fat, high-sugar diet, is creating a growing population of obese children and adults. The easy scapegoats are computers and video games. But the causes run deeper than these two obvious choices. Marketers of the food industry’s artery clogging, fat cell enhancing goodies have our number. Heck, you don’t even have to go to PE once a day anymore if you’re a junior high-schooler. It’s optional!
While diet is largely responsible for the problems discussed above, so is a lack of exercise and physical activity. If you lead a sedentary life style you are at much greater risk of developing coronary artery disease, diabetes, and obesity. These “big three” can lead you down the road to America’s number one killer: heart disease.
Lack of physical activity also puts you at greater risk of experiencing spinal pain, stiff joints, poor circulation, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, poor sleep patterns, decreased bone density, and a host of other physical ailments much too numerous to mention here.
The good news is that most of all the above is preventable by conforming to a good diet, and getting regular, consistent physical exercise. The benefits of this lifestyle can include improved energy levels, reduced stress and depression, as well as increased strength, stamina and flexibility.
You don’t have to work yourself up into a sweaty lather to experience the benefits of exercise. Whatever your chosen activity (walking, biking, swimming, cross country skiing, dancing, etc.), just begin slowly and gradually build up to 20 – 30 minutes of moderately intense activity 4 –6 times per week.
Even everyday activities such as housework and gardening, if done with moderate intensity, add up to real health benefis.
Simple rules to follow such as parking your car at the back of the parking lot, using the stairs, not the elevator, walking to the corner café instead of driving, walking more briskly, standing and pacing while talking on the phone, and getting up very time you change the TV channel rather than using the remote can add up to health benefits.
If you’re still unsure how to get started, visit your local health club and get hooked up with a personal trainer. You don’t necessarily have to become a health club member although that would be a good thing!). They can get you started on a fitness program of your choosing, at the club or at home. For further information visit the American Heart Association at www.americanheart.org. |
