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Getting Exercise Into Your Life |
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Written by Alison Kirby
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A healthy, active lifestyle is not hard to achieve - its simply a
matter of building some form of recreational activity into your
everyday life. Whether you prefer team sports or individual pursuits,
the key is to choose an activity that you find convenient, stimulating
and enjoyable.
To keep your muscles, bones and joints in good working order you should
try to do some form of physical activity every day. You should also
take some form of aerobic exercise (that is, something that raise your
heart rate, such as brisk walking, cycling or swimming) around three to
five times a week. Don't worry if this seems daunting at first. It is
better to start slowly and work up to this level than adopt as
all-or-nothing approach that you won't be able to sustain.
If you currently have a largely inactive lifestyle, start with a little
extra activity each day and aim for one or two aerobic-type sessions
per week. As you get fitter you will find it easier to do more. Always
begin any new exercise program slowly; this will help you stay
motivated and prevent injuries.
Did you know?
- It is easier than you think to burn off calories: a brisk
20 minute walk can burn up to 100 calories, 20 minutes washing dishes
can burn 50 calories.
- Small changes add up to big results - walking up two
flights of stairs daily instead of taking a lift can burn around 15,000
extra calories over the course of a year.
Exercising with other people is a great way to make new friends and
stay motivated. There are many health clubs, sports centers and other
organizations that offer regular exercise classes. Your local library
will have a list of the sessions in your area.
If you prefer a less organized activity, you may enjoy walking, jogging
or swimming. A brisk walk is an ideal, low-impact exercise for
beginners and older people and swimming provides a gentle aerobic
workout without putting too much stress on the joints.
The type of exercise you choose will depend on what goals you have set
yourself. But you also need to find an exercise that suits your
personal likes and interests, your age and the amount of time you have
available. No matter how much you know something is good for you, if it
becomes a chore you'll soon find plenty of reasons to avoid it!
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