Make time to move
Exercise - time to move; Weight loss - time to move; Obesity - time to move
Experts recommend getting at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week. If you have a busy schedule, this may seem like a lot. But there are many ways to add exercise to even the busiest schedule.
Why Make the Time?
Getting regular exercise benefits your health in many ways:
- Strengthens your heart and lungs
-
Lowers your risk for
heart disease
and
stroke
Heart disease
Coronary heart disease is a narrowing of the small blood vessels that supply blood and oxygen to the heart. Coronary heart disease (CHD) is also cal...
Stroke
A stroke occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain stops. A stroke is sometimes called a "brain attack. " If blood flow is cut off for longer th...
- Strengthens and tones your muscles
- Lowers blood pressure and cholesterol levels
- Helps you lose extra pounds (kgs)
- Improves sleep
- Relieves stress
- Improves balance
- May help prevent certain cancers
- May help slow bone loss
Ways to Get Moving
It is easy to make excuses not to exercise. Instead, look for simple ways to make exercise a regular part of your life.
- Break it up. You do not need to do all 30 minutes of exercise at one time. You can get the same health benefits from doing three 10-minute sessions, or two 15-minute workouts. For example, you could do 10 minutes of squats and push-ups in the morning, take a brisk 10-minute walk after lunch, then play a round of hoops with the kids after dinner.
-
Find something you enjoy.
DO NOT struggle to do an exercise you do not like. There are endless ways to get moving. Keep trying until you find
different activities you like
. Then keep mixing it up.
Different activities you like
Prevention - learn to love exercise; Wellness - learn to love exercise
- Make your commute count. If possible, bike, walk, or jog to and from work. You may find you feel less stressed and have more energy when you arrive. Plus, you will save money by not having to pay for parking, gas, or bus fare.
- Get up earlier. A morning workout can boost your energy for the rest of the day. So set your alarm in the morning for 30 minutes earlier. Walk or jog around the neighborhood, or use a stationary bike or treadmill indoors.
- Choose the right time for you. While a.m. exercise may be a great way to start the day, if you are not a morning person, it may feel like a chore. Instead, try exercising at lunchtime or after work.
- Schedule your exercise. Make getting exercise just as important as your other appointments. Set aside time in your daily planner. No one needs to know what you are doing. They just need to know that you are not available during that time. Also, no matter what type of exercise you do, try to do it at the same time every day. This helps make it part of your routine. For example, you might swim after work every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Or you could take a walk after dinner every weeknight.
- Join a team. Softball, basketball, hockey, and soccer are not just for kids. Look for recreational teams in your community. Most leagues are open to all skill levels. So do not worry if you have not played before. Joining a team can make exercise more fun and help keep you motivated.
- Tune in while you work out. Use TV time to exercise. You can stretch, jog in place, jump rope, use resistance bands, or use a bike trainer while you watch your favorite TV shows.
- Join or start a fitness group at work. Your co-workers likely face the same struggles to exercise as you do. Get together with like-minded folks at work to walk or jog at lunch or after work.
- Make coffee dates active. If you regularly meet a friend for coffee or lunch, think about making it an activity date instead. Take a walk or a hike, go bowling, or try a new exercise class together. Many people find exercising with a friend more fun.
- Get a trainer. Working with a trainer can help teach you new ways to exercise and keep you motivated. Just make sure to ask about the trainer's qualifications. He or she should have an exercise certification from a national organization, such as the American College of Sports Medicine. Many gyms offer group training, which can help cut the cost.
- Get fit with your family. Plan weekly outings with your children that include exercise. Go bicycling, take a nature walk, or go swimming. Or, sign up for an exercise class for parents and children.
References
Buchner DM. Physical activity. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman's Cecil Medicine . 25th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 16.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Physical activity basics. Updated June 4, 2015. CDC.gov. www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics .
Eckel RH, Jakicic JM, Ard JD, et al. American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines. 2013 AHA/ACC guideline on lifestyle management to reduce cardiovascular risk: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines. Circulation . 2014;129(25 Suppl 2):S76-S99. PMID: 24222015 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24222015 .
Sparling PB, Howard BJ, Dunstan DW, Owen N. Recommendations for physical activity in older adults. BMJ . 2015;350:h100. PMID: 25608694 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25608694 .
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Review Date: 5/21/2016
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director and Director of Didactic Curriculum, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.