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Exercise
Exercise Programs
Daily Exercise
Health Benefits of
Exercise
Exercise
Exercise is a key ingredient to good health. Those who
exercise have more energy, a healthier weight, better balance
and coordination and an all around better quality of life.
There are numerous health benefits one gains from
regular exercise, including the prevention of serious medical
conditions such as coronary artery disease, diabetes, stroke,
some cancers and osteoporosis. Many who already have health
problems can reap massive benefits from an increased level of
physical activity.
Exercise is a term that frightens many. Many experts believe
that one of the biggest hurdles facing those trying to promote
exercise for better health is the link many people make
between exercise and 'sweat'. Increasingly, studies are
showing that short periods of "exercise" or activity
throughout the day can be equally effective for better health
than 30 minutes of sweat. This is vital knowledge for those
who have trouble making it to the gym three times a week.
Physical activity should be viewed as a part of your daily
routine. Any increase in physical activity is good for your
health.
Frequency of Exercise
Exercise frequency should be for at least 30 minutes, at least
3 times per week. If weight loss or better fitness is the
goal, the frequency should be more often, for longer periods.
Incorporating physical activity into your daily routine can be
an excellent contributor to an overall fitness and weight loss
goal.
Exercise for Weight Loss
If you are working on an exercise regiment directed not only
at overall health and fitness, but for
weight loss as well,
the frequency, intensity and duration of exercise should be
greater than 30 minutes, 3 times a week. When exercising for
weight loss, keep in mind that the goal is to burn calories.
Although high intensity aerobic exercise, such as jogging or
tennis, is excellent for burning calories, the focus should be
on any aerobic exercise that can be done for a period longer
than 30 minutes. For example, walking for an hour each day is
an excellent way to burn calories through steady and
consistent aerobic exercise. As well, it is something you can
do every day with very little risk of injury.
The experts agree - maintaining weight loss can rarely be
accomplished without maintaining regular physical activity.
Exercise is an essential ingredient in weight management, both
for taking the weight off and for keeping the weight off.
The U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services, National Institutes of Health provide
excellent articles and resources about
exercise and
fitness. The Mayo Clinic's Healthy Living Center is
another excellent resource for
exercise
information and other healthy living issues. |
