A body in motion, stays in motion. If you’re a regular exerciser and workout fanatic, you likely believe in this statement and use it to motivate you.
A body in rest stays at rest. If you’re struggling to find your groove in the gym or with consistent exercise, you might relate more with this statement.
No matter where you are in your fitness and overall health journey, there are opportunities in your daily life to get – and stay – active.
According to the National Institutes of Health, it’s medically proven that people who do regular physical activity have:
• Up to a 35-percent lower risk of coronary heart disease and stroke.
• Up to a 50-percent lower risk of type 2 diabetes.
• Up to a 50-percent lower risk of colon cancer.
• Up to a 20-percent lower risk of breast cancer.
• A 30-percent lower risk of early death.
• Up to an 83-percent lower risk of osteoarthritis.
• Up to a 68-percent lower risk of hip fracture.
• A 30-percent lower risk of falls (among older adults).
• Up to a 30-percent lower risk of depression.
• Up to a 30-percent lower risk of dementia.
To stay healthy, adults should try to be active every day and aim to achieve at least 150 minutes of physical activity over a week through a variety of activities.
Here are some tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on getting active in a safe, effective manner:
• Talk to your doctor if you have a chronic condition like type 2 diabetes or heart disease.
• Get the support of your friends and family — and invite them to get active with you.
• Start slowly and add time, frequency or intensity every week.
• Schedule physical activity for times in the day or week when you’re most energetic.
• Plan ahead. Make physical activity part of your daily schedule.
• Walk instead of drive to nearby destinations or park the car farther away and fit in a walk to your destination.
• Support improvements in your neighborhood that make it easier to walk or bike to where you want to go.
