Exercise: A Routine for a Feel-Good, Healthy Life

Physical activity is a key to improving your health and preventing serious illness. Exercise helps us feel better, have more energy, and perhaps even live longer. Regard less of age, sex, or physical ability, the benefits of an active lifestyle and exercising regularly are difficult to ignore.

Importance and Benefits of Exercise

• Combats chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and can help you prevent diabetes, osteoporosis and certain types of cancer.

• Contributes to managing a healthy weight which improves your overall health and reduces risk of weight related health problems.

• Strengthens your heart and lungs which improves your cardiovascular health.

• Improves mental well being and can help eliminate stress

• Promotes better sleep so you are well

How to Start Your Exercise Routine
The benefits of establishing an exercise routine are plentiful. Often, the toughest part is getting started. Here are some suggestions to get you off on the right foot:

• Always consult your doctor before starting a program to assure it is safe for you and meets your goals.

• Seek the advice of experts at the YMCA or a local center on the best equipment and how to use safely.

• Make exercise a habit and do it with a family or friend.

• Always start slowly. “Too much too soon,” can lead to soreness, fatigue, and even injuries.

• Set realistic goals. Gradually increase the intensity and duration of your workout.

• Make it simple with walking, swimming, or any enjoyable activity.

• Don’t procrastinate and begin today!

How to Get Results from Your Exercise Routine
Planning your exercise program is a helpful first step. Keep track of how hard you are exercising, what you are doing, and measure the results over time. Here are a few more tips:

• Heart rate. Check your pulse with a stopwatch or an electronic heart monitor. This can tell you if you are working too hard. You should consult with your physician and let him determine your target heart rate and level of exertion.

• Breathing rate. Measuring the number of times you breathe in and out in one minute can tell you how much you are taxing your body. If you can talk while exercising, you are doing fine. If you can sing during exercise you can go a little faster or exercise a little harder. If you can’t talk while exercising you are probably exercising too hard. Slow down a little and build up your stamina over time.

• Weight and fat loss. As your fitness improves, you will be able to become more active and your body will burn more calories. Over time, you will notice a gradual weight loss.