Exercise Always Helps; Start Where You Are Now
By Sandy Schroeder
Understanding how much exercise does for the body is crucial no matter where we are in our daily routines.
You may be walking every day, or just exercising a few times a week, or not at all. Harvard Health says starting right now to establish a daily routine is worth the effort to improve your health.
“Starting to exercise even in late middle age may lessen the risk of heart failure,” according to a report in a recent issue of Circulation. Heart failure affects over six million Americans every year. The gradual loss of the ability to pump enough blood to keep the body healthy is an issue that we can't afford to ignore.
How to Move Ahead
Check in with your doctor to see your overall health profile and get approval for an exercise routine. Look for the exercises that you enjoy.
Make it work - Once you are committed to the idea of getting enough regular exercise you may see openings in your schedule that will work. Schedule exercise just like you list meetings and other appointments. Taking it seriously can make it happen.
30 Minutes Daily - Carving a half hour out of the whole day is totally possible. It could be 15-minute segments in the morning and afternoon, or a 30-minute walk right after lunch or dinner. Find a spot that feels comfortable to make it stick.
Aerobics – Swimming, biking, brisk walking, cycling, dancing or a step aerobics class at the gym are all good choices. Aerobic exercises accelerate the heart rate and breathing to increase the body’s endurance. Begin gradually and work with a trainer as you shoot for 150 minutes weekly of moderate activity. Aerobic exercise lowers blood pressure, burns body fat, reduces inflammation and improves cholesterol. Overall it can help reduce the risk of stroke, heart disease, diabetes, colon and breast cancer and depression.
Strengthen muscles - Start with a trainer to learn how to align your body correctly and move smoothly through an exercise. Challenge your muscles to establish the best tempo and practice regularly. Resistance bands, small weights and lifting body weight in practices like yoga are all options.
Work out with your family - Keep the whole family on track as you turn exercise into walks to the park, soccer practice in the backyard, or weekend wilderness biking or hiking. Find the ones that make it fun for you and your kids.
When you are ready to get moving, stop by The Joint Chiropractic clinic near you to get started.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Houston, Tex.