Exercise is no longer optional.
However the type of exercise is our choice. There are no one-size-fits-all exercise programs. Some individuals choose extreme sports events like marathons. Others prefer to sign up for classes at the gym or walk with a partner.
The type of activity is irrelevant. The only criteria are to push ourselves outside of our comfort zone and ramp up our heart rate.
Committing to an exercise program is probably the biggest challenge. If we are not currently working out, the best plan is to start small, after consulting with your healthcare professional. Set aside 15 minutes a week and engage in some form of physical activity. It could be walking, jogging, swimming or anything which raises our heart rate. Sweating in the course of the workout, is even better.
Then slowly add a second workout session per week and increase the time gradually as well. Find an enjoyable activity. Or partner with someone to make an exercise commitment a social activity.
Small changes are the ones that stick.
Optimally, the amount of time we spend in the gym, pool or pounding the sidewalks depends on our age, weight and medical condition. A consultation with a healthcare professional is highly recommended to ensure the success of our workout.
There are 90-year olds who play tennis regularly and 20-year old adults who struggle to work around the block.
We are never too young or too old to start exercising and the benefits go beyond our weight.
Every step we take, every move we make, improves muscle tone, weight, mood, mental clarity and increases longevity. Research has proven the benefits and we have seen it firsthand in my practice.
We view exercise as an investment with excellent return on investment (ROI). It may be a long-term investment, but the results will surely pay off.
