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Good health is a
lifelong pursuit. One of the building blocks of continued health and
longevity is exercise. I would dare say that the persons who remain
healthy are those who continue to be physically active--even if not in
the gym, but rather with gardening, housework and/or dancing several
times a week.
As a physician, my first prescription for good health is maintaining
physical fitness and following a balanced diet. The minimum activity
necessary for maintaining physical fitness is a consistent regimen of 30
minutes of activity, 4 to 5 days a week. The ideal situation would be
exercise for 30-45 minutes each day. How well--and how regularly--are
you meeting that goal? Besides the physical advantages of exercise, the
mental and emotional benefits have been well-documented, The
adage--exercise does the body good still holds true.
If you have a good pair of sneakers/gym shoes--you have all that you
need to exercise--just WALK, Walking is a great, inexpensive exercise
that does wonders for your heart and energy levels. I would dare say
that walking is the near-perfect exercise. It's inexpensive, accessible
and effective. It contributes to a healthy heart and helps guard against
obesity, high cholesterol, stroke and other disorders.
Unless a physical disability prohibits it, try to incorporate walking
into your daily routine If you find it difficult to do 30 minutes of
activity at one time, divide your routine into increments el two
15-minute periods or three 10-minute periods. Do what you can when you
can. Make walking a family affair. Children as well as adults
need 30 minutes of vigorous activity each day, Instead of sitting in
front of the TV, have a family hour, or at least a half hour of walking.
Healthy habits that begin in childhood are likely to continue throughout
adulthood.
As we move further into the technological age, let's not lose sight
of the need to get our bodies in motion. Why not jump rope, play
hopscotch, get on the jungle gym, walk, jog or take a dance class? These
activities are good for the body and the soul and will help us achieve a
healthy lifestyle and increase longevity. |
