Doctors Urge More Patients to Exercise

Don’t be surprised if your doctor wants to talk about working out the next time you visit.

In 2010, nearly one-third of adults who had gone to the doctor were advised to start or continue their exercise programs. That’s 10 percent more than in 2000, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

It stands to reason.

Two-thirds of the adult population in America qualify as either overweight or obese.

Here’s what I really want to know.

Did the patients listen to their doctor, head home and lace up their cross trainers?

I’m sure some of them did.

But, my hunch is that most people simply shrugged their shoulders and told their doctor that they know they should be exercising. For some reason, they just don’t do it.

And that’s where the tragedy lies.

It seems more people are scared of changing their lifestyle than the possibility of having a heart attack or developing type 2 diabetes.

Crazy, no?

Here’s the good news: you don’t have to make these changes by yourself.

Talk to a registered dietitian. Learn how to build nutrition into your food choices. Meet with a personal trainer. Find the best exercise plan for your schedule. It’s professionals like these who can help you successfully create new, healthy habits.

The best part?

You’ll feel better, and more than likely, live longer.

Source: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, news release

Alice Warchol is a freelance health blog writer and fitness instructor.

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