Getting into Exercise & Fitness

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We all know we should exercise more, but it seems it’s always easier said than done. We’re busy and life is such a whirlwind, sometimes we just plain old don’t have the energy.

But did you know:

• More than 60 percent of women don’t get the recommended amount of physical activity daily (30 minutes a day).
• One in four women aren’t physically active at all

Perhaps you fall in one or two of those categories above. Take heart that you’re not alone, but that’s no excuse not to incorporate exercise into your life. Here are some benefits of exercise:

• Reduces the risk of developing diabetes
• Lowers blood pressure
• Reduces levels of “bad” cholesterol while raising levels of good” cholesterol
• Slows your resting heart rate, enabling it to work more efficiently
• Physically active women experience less intense and fewer symptoms of menopause
• Weight-bearing exercise, like walking or riding a bike helps increase bone density and prevent osteoporosis
• Can help you sleep better.
• Releases endorphins to improve your mood and can even treat depression
• Delivers oxygen and nutrients to your tissues to strenghten heart and lungs
• Improves your circulation
• Helps back pain by increasing muscle strength

Being active doesn’t mean you have to get a gym membership or join an organized sport, but you might be surprised at how much you enjoy it. You can incorporate exercise into your regular day. Here are some ideas:

• Go out dancing with your partner.
• Do housework to upbeat music
• Take the stairs, instead of the elevator.
• Walk the kids to school, instead of driving.
• Walk to the store, instead of driving.
• Do yard work like raking leaves, mowing the lawn.
• Take a nice walk with your family after dinner.

Force yourself to do these things for a couple of weeks and soon it will become a habit. It’s always toughest as first, but once you’re into a routine, you’ll wonder how you ever did things differently.