Move More, Live Better: 10 Ways to Live a More Active Life
There’s no denying that moving more offers a variety of benefits for your overall health and wellness. An active life can help you to maintain a healthy weight, build heart health, strengthen your muscles and joints, improve your brain performance, and relieve stress while promoting better mental health and sleep.
Inactivity and a sedentary lifestyle can be costly. Individuals who don’t move enough can suffer from a variety of unpleasant health conditions including:
- Obesity
- Increased risk of heart disease, cancer, diabetes and other conditions
- Accelerated aging
- Lost muscle tone, poor mobility, and, in some cases, disability
According to the CDC’s adult activity guidelines, a fit individual needs to get either:
- 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity per week and muscle-strengthening activities on 2 or more days a week.
OR - 75 minutes of intense aerobic activity per week and muscle-strengthening activities on 2 or more days a week.
So, what can you do to get more active?
- Get a pedometer and walk 10,000 steps each day.
- Join a sports league.
- Enroll in an exercise or dance class.
- Buddy up for activities, accountability, and motivation.
- Dust off the treadmill in your basement.
- Join a gym.
- Take the stairs.
- Park a little farther away from your destination.
- Buy an exercise dvd.
- Try to sneak sit-ups or jumping jacks in during television commercials.
As always, if you do not regularly participate in physical activity, you should check with your physician before starting an exercise program.
If you have a nagging injury or feel completely overwhelmed at the prospect of exercise, certified personal trainers can be an excellent source of information.