Heart HealthPhysical Activity Benefits – Why should you be active?
Okay, in the previous two posts, we’ve covered how much physical activity is needed and I mentioned different intensities requiring different time commitments.
A simple measure of your workout intensity is the talk test. If you can carry on a conversation while taking a breath every 3-4 words, you’re probably at a moderate intensity level. If you are working out hard enough that you can only say a few words and in order to say more you have to stop to catch your breath, you’ve most likely hit a vigorous activity level.
What physical activity benefits can you expect to see by being more active this year? Here are a few:
- Improved fitness and bone health.
- Decreased coronary heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and colon and breast cancer.
- Less depression.
- Fewer falls and better cognitive ability for older adults.
- Better pain management, function, and quality of life if you suffer from arthritis.
Tired of changes that don't last?
All right, now don’t just read this without taking action. Look at the upcoming week. Where can you add a walk or extra trip to the gym to boost your activity level closer to the desired 2 ½ hours per week?
There are 1440 minutes each day. Only 30 of them need to be active!
All the best,
Lisa Nelson, RD
Recommended resource
Where I send people for supplements
Food first, always. When a supplement is worth considering, the front of the bottle is marketing and the supplement facts panel is the actual content. Two bottles at the same price can differ by half in what they deliver.
My dispensary carries practitioner-grade products, most of which aren’t sold direct to consumers, with the reasoning behind each one.
I may earn a commission on dispensary orders.