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Regular physical activity can help you reach and maintain a healthy
weight. Being physically active can also make you more energetic,
improve your mood, and reduce the risk of developing some chronic
diseases.
Physical activity helps you control your weight by using excess
calories that would otherwise be stored as fat. Most foods you eat
contain calories, and everything you do uses calories, including
sleeping, breathing, and digesting food. Balancing the calories
you eat with the calories you use through physical activity will
help you reach and maintain a healthy weight.
Calories in Food > Calories Used = Weight Gain
Calories in Food < Calories Used = Weight Loss
Calories in Food = Calories Used = Weight Control
Becoming Physically Active
Experts recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical
activity on most, if not all, days of the week. To achieve and maintain
a healthy weight, particularly after you have lost a large amount
of weight, you may need to do 60 minutes or more of moderate-intensity
physical activity each day.
Physical activity may include structured activities such as walking,
running, basketball, or other sports. It may also include daily
activities such as household chores, yard work, or walking the dog.
Pick a combination of structured and daily activities that fit your
schedule.
If you have been inactive for a while, start slowly and work up
to 30 minutes a day at a pace that is comfortable for you. If you
are unable to be active for 30 minutes at one time, accumulate activity
over the course of the day in 10 to 15-minute sessions.
Health Benefits of Physical Activity
Regular physical activity helps control your weight and may help:
- Reduce your risk of or manage chronic diseases such as type
2 diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol, heart disease,
osteoporosis, arthritis, and some cancers
- Build strong muscles, bones, and joints
- Improve flexibility and balance
- Ward off depression
- Improve mood and sense of well-being.
Aerobic Activity
You can meet your goal of at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity
physical activity by participating in aerobic activities. Aerobic
exercise includes any activity that makes you breathe harder than
when you are resting and increases your heart rate.
Experts recommend moderate-intensity exercise. At this pace, you
may breathe harder and find it more difficult to talk, but you should
still be able to carry on a conversation. If you are just beginning,
slowly work up to moving at a moderate-intensity pace.
Get Started! To add more physical activity to your daily life
try:
- Taking a brisk walk around the block with family, friends, or
coworkers.
- Raking the leaves.
- Walking up the stairs instead of taking the elevator when it
is safe to do so.
- Mowing the lawn.
- Taking an activity break at work or home. Get up and stretch
or walk around.
- Parking your car further away from entrances of stores, movie
theaters, or your home and walk the extra distance when it is
safe to do so.
Strength Training
Strength training is another way for you to meet the recommended
minimum of 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity each
day. Strength training will also help you burn extra calories and
build strong muscles, bones, and joints.
Experts recommend strength training 2 to 3 days each week, with
1 full day of rest between workouts to allow your muscles to recover.
If you are new to strength training, or physical activity in general,
consider hiring a certified personal trainer who can plan an individualized
program to help you work out safely and effectively. A personal
trainer who has a degree in exercise physiology or is certified
through a national certification program such as the American College
of Sports Medicine or National Strength and Conditioning Association
may be able to help you reach your physical activity goals.
Get Strong! Build strong muscles and bones with strengthening
exercise. Try:
- Lifting weights
- Using resistance bands
- Using stability or medicine balls
- Doing push-ups and abdominal crunches
Mind and Body Exercise
In addition to aerobic activity and strength training, you may wish
to include other forms of exercise in your physical activity program.
Alternatives to traditional exercise provide variety and fun. They
may also help reduce stress, increase muscular strength and flexibility,
and increase energy levels. Examples of these exercises include
yoga, Pilates, and tai chi.
Keep Moving!
Move at your own pace while you enjoy some of these activities:
- Brisk walking
- Jogging
- Bicycling
- Swimming
- Aerobic exercise classes (step aerobics, kick boxing, high/low)
- Dancing (square dancing, salsa, African dance, swing)
- Playing sports (basketball, soccer)
Tips to a Safe and Successful Physical Activity Program
Check with your health care provider. If you have a chronic health
problem such as obesity, diabetes, heart disease, or high blood
pressure, ask your health care provider about what type and amount
of physical activity is right for you.
- Start slowly. Incorporate more physical activity into your daily
routine and gradually work up to the 30-minute goal to improve
health and manage your weight.
- Set goals. Set short-term and long-term goals and celebrate
every success.
- Track progress. Keep an activity log to track your progress.
Note when you worked out, what activity you did, how long you
did the activity, and how you felt during your workout.
- Think variety. Choose a variety of physical activities to help
you meet your goals, prevent boredom, and keep your mind and body
challenged.
- Be comfortable. Wear comfortable shoes and clothes, and ones
that are appropriate to the activity you will be doing.
- Listen to your body. Stop exercising and consult your health
care provider if you experience chest discomfort or pain, dizziness,
severe headache, or other unusual symptoms while you work out.
If pain does not go away, get medical help right away. If you
are feeling fatigued or sick, take time off from your routine
to rest. You can ease back into your program when you start feeling
better.
- Eat nutritious foods. Choose a variety of nutritious foods every
day. Remember that your health and weight depend on both your
eating plan and physical activity level.
- Get support. Encourage your family and friends to support you
and join you in your activity. Form walking groups with coworkers,
play with your children outside, or take a dance class with friends.
Regular physical activity will help you feel, move, and look better.
Whether your goal is to achieve and maintain a healthy weight or
improve your health, becoming physically active is a step in the
right direction. Take advantage of the health benefits of physical
activity and make it a part of your life.
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