has been associated with a high body mass index.
Healthy lifestyle changes, such as being physically active and reducing screen time,
can help you aim for a healthy weight.
– National Heart, Lung & Blood Institute
Exercise is Important
- Reduces the risk of early death (a good point to start with)
- Prevents cancer especially breast and colon cancer. “Women who increase their physical activity after menopause may also have a lower risk of breast cancer than women who do not”
- Reports show that routine physical activity can prevent primary and secondary cancers
- Reduces incidence of heart disease such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, stroke, heart attack
- Reduces chances of Diabetes and its associated ailments. More so when coupled with being overweight
- Reduces risk of dementia for those 65 years and older
Clinicians should not discourage vigorous intensity exercise unless there is a specific clinical reason.
What’s Not to Like About exercise?
- Simply going for a half hour walk in the park, on the beach or your favourite place
- Cycle on a stationary bike, walk or run on the tread mill at the local gym
- Walk and run, or take a hike in the great outdoors
- Take up a sport like rowing, cycling, tennis
- Learn to dance – a lifetime activity
- Working in the garden for an hour ie mow the lawn
- Take swimming lessons
- Play soccer with the grand-kids. The options are endless as your ability. Start where you are able and keep going at your own pace.
Other Healthy Lifestyle Changes
There are many lifestyle changes you can make besides increasing your activity level. Here are a few ideas in a recent article, Time for a Change, about the healthy changes we have made over the past 8 years.
If you watch a lot of evening TV make a point to get up during a TV ad; phone a friend to go to the gym; ride a bike to work or school as these are good healthy ideas you can benefit from in the long-term. You are never too old, too overweight, too slow or too sore to get up and get moving. Any exercise you can do will help your overall health and well-being while benefitting mental and emotional health. No more excuses just get up and move.
Added Sugar and Your Health
There is much negative news today about the health effects of added sugars especially in processed foods and soda drinks. If you are concerned about your weight or are pre-diabetic please check out the sugar links below and What About Sugar?
As I often say, be the best you can be for whatever stage you are at in your Life and enjoy every moment.
“Every day is a Gift”
Links & References:
- Health Benefits of Physical Activity
- Dr. Mike Evans a short video on fitness
- Lower Risk of 13 Types of Cancer
- Activity calorie calculator – Harvard Health
- Diet: Understanding Obesity & Sugar: Dr. Robert Lustig
- Diet: Obese Childrens Health Rapidly Improved with Sugar Reduction
CAP Articles:
- Try cycling – start off easy
- Evidence for a Healthy Lifestyle
Cricket anyone? – 1920’s photo
