Keeping Physically Fit Article

	1888 Articles Home \| Health Articles	Health RSS
Keeping physically fit

Author: Carolyn Clayton

Article Tools:

By maintaining a regular exercise programme and ensuring that you are keeping physically fit you can prevent major illness such as heart disease, diabetes and even cancer; however despite all of the benefits that exercise can bring you about two in three men and three in four women do less than 30 minutes moderate intensity activity at least five days a week.

The main excuse that people often give for failing to achieve 30 minutes of exercise five days a week is that they don’t have time when in reality it is possible to achieve your 30 minutes at least five times a week target by making fairly simple changes to your everyday routine without joining the gym. Some examples of the ways in which this can be done are as follows:

• Walking up stairs instead of using lifts
• Walking up moving escalators
• Walking instead of driving for short journeys
• Doing the housework at a faster pace
• DIY and gardening

Taking a regular form of exercise has many different benefits; not only is it one of the best ways of controlling your weight it can also promote healthy blood sugar and lower high blood pressure, both of which can reduce the risk of heart disease. Exercise can also boost your immune system and your self confidence. It is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle and helps to maintain overall fitness.

Studies have shown that being physically unfit is just as dangerous as smoking when it comes to lowering life expectancy. It has also been claimed that you are likely to live longer and enjoy a better quality of life if you partake in regular exercise. The health benefits that you will start to see when you undertake exercise are endless.

A physical exercise is any bodily activity that enhances or maintains physical fitness and overall health. Some examples of the most popular forms of exercise include walking, jogging, cycling, running, weight training, yoga/pilates and dance and aerobics. It is important that when taking up a form of exercise that you choose one that most reflects your interests and is one that you will be able to perform for 30 minutes, five days a week.

Before you start your exercise regime it is important that you do the correct warm up and cool down exercises. It is highly important that you warm up before you start exercising as it gets your blood pumping to your muscles, which will make them more responsive. It also lowers the risk of your muscles pulling and straining. For a good warm up you should spend about five to ten minutes doing some light to moderate aerobic exercises; only when you have done this should you start stretching and then move on to performing your exercise. It is also important to warm down after exercise. Like warming up, spend at least five to ten minutes after your work out doing gentle exercises until your heart rate returns to normal.

Whatever exercise you undertake just make sure you do it in a safe manner by using the correct equipment.

About Author

Helen is the web master of Medicalley, professionals providing you with all your Health Information and Advice.

Article Source: http://www.1888articles.com/author-carolyn-clayton-1268.html

Keeping physically fit