A Little Bit Counts When You Exercise the Heart
By Sandy Schroeder
Sometimes when I have had an incredibly difficult week, I am tempted to skip my Friday yoga class or daily treadmill walk, but now Harvard Health explains why that is a very poor decision.
New federal guidelines say, "Even just a few minutes of moving can count toward the recommended weekly aerobic exercise of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise. Research shows just a half-hour daily can improve health and extend life."
Look What You Get
- Exercise strengthens the body's ability to fight infection
- Exercise lifts the spirit
- Exercise cuts the risk for diabetes, heart disease, colon cancer and high blood pressure
Numerous studies agree exercise helps us live longer and better. The real question is how to get started and keep going.
Getting Off the Couch and Into Gear
You may have had bursts of activity, followed by long stretches of loafing. I have followed that pattern for some time. That first morning of a new exercise program is fantastic. Then, before I know it, I am drifting sideways into other projects, or commitments that slowly but surely sidetrack my exercise efforts.
Here are some tempting tips to help you stick with it.
- Use strength training for round the clock power
- Create quick and easy cardio that keeps getting better
- Use balance exercises to be more agile
- Do walking workouts that span the day
- Stretch for flexibility to improve range of motion
- Stay focused on fun workouts that keep you motivated
- Remember to breathe during exercise to avoid hiking blood pressure
How Your Chiropractor Can Help
If you are convinced this time that you want to make your exercise program stick, your chiropractor can help you do just that.
The Joint Chiropractic clinic near you staffs a wellness center with doctors of chiropractic who help individuals meet their health, wellness and fitness goals every day.
When you come in, tell your chiropractor what you want to do to establish a successful exercise program. Your chiropractor will explain how a strong healthy spine can be your best ally for productive exercise. The spine enables us to twist and turn as we move through our day. At the same time, the central nervous system housed inside provides the vital brain-to-body communication that keeps all of the systems of the body functioning.
A gentle targeted spinal adjustment can work to improve spinal health, which plays out with better overall health. Now you may have fresh energy, sleep better, feel more relaxed, and enjoy better digestion or metabolism. Benefits are unique to the individual. As you assess yours, weekly 15-minute spinal adjustments may be the perfect way to stay at the top of your game and move forward with a successful exercise effort.
When you are ready to get started, stop by The Joint Chiropractic clinic near you. There are over 450 clinics around the country to serve you wherever you go. Affordable personal healthcare plans eliminate the hassle of insurance and weekend and evening hours make visits simple. No appointments are needed.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Madison, Wis.