It’s common sense to look after your health as the years go by because being inactive is a major health risk. Good health goes a long way to helping us enjoy the increase in longevity predicted for our generation. Consider the medical and physical benefits you can hope to experience if you are fit.
- Improved circulation and digestion
- Stronger heart
- Increased flexibility
- Stronger bones
- Improved relaxation
- Improved shape
- Stronger muscles
- Improved co-ordination
- Controlled weight
- Sense of well-being
- Increased confidence
Fitness is all about being able to do the things you want to do when you want to do them! Being fit is a necessity, not just an option. Your individual level of fitness will depend on your personal lifestyle, interests and the commitment you have to looking after your health. We all need do what we can to help ourselves maintain physical independence and one significant, but simple way is by including more activity in our everyday lives. The earlier good habits are started the more benefit is felt as the years roll past. So take, and make, the opportunity to be more active anytime, anywhere and any place.
Try to take more regular moderate exercise, and persuade your friends or family to join you. Start with simple things like taking the dog for a walk or by using the stairs instead of the lifts, or walking to work or shops or school instead of taking the car. Then you can look forward to enjoying many more years of ACTIVE life. The trick is to do an activity that gives you pleasure; you will then discover that being active actually boosts your energy levels. When we exercise, the body releases chemicals called endorphins which give us a “feel good” factor and the circulation gets going, improving our heart and lung efficiency. Exercise and being active makes your complexion glow and your mind more alert.
Walking is a “Weight bearing” exercise (body weight is supported by spine, legs and feet). Brisk walking:
- Increases your heart rate
- Lessens the risk of heart disease
- Encourages more oxygen into your lungs and
- Improves your cardio-vascular system.
- Builds healthy bones
- Builds strong leg muscles – vital for physical independence.
Being inactive is a major risk factor in older age.
Physical fitness has 5 components
- Cardio-vascular fitness
- Muscular strength
- Muscular endurance
- Flexibility
- Motor fitness