Hello! I will return to emotions but with spring coming, I wanted to stir up exercise because we all will be thinking fresh air and exercise soon.
I have GREAT NEWS! You do not have to have a gym membership to get in shape. You do not have to get up while it is still dark to go to Crossfit. You do not have to spend hours every week and buckets of money to exercise. JUST GET MOVING. Anyone who has kids will confirm this: our bodies were designed to move. We need to move. Our body systems need to move.
According to the CDC, 9 MILLION cases of cardiovascular disease in 2001 was associated to inactivity. The cost?? 24 BILLION dollars. I am sure these numbers haven't improved.
Benefits of exercise:
Weight control
Improved health
Elevates mood
Boosts energy
Promotes sleep
I won't bore you with types of exercise and their benefits because what is really important is to get you moving.
Our newest toy is a rebounder. It was not expensive. Rebounding moves our lymphatic system and it takes off 80% of the stress on our weight bearing joints that walking or running brings. A study by NASA showed that 10 minutes of rebounding equaled 30 minutes of cardio workout and it was more effective at reducing pressure on joints--(documents above statement).
As far as walking, it is readily available to all of us, is inexpensive, and profoundly beneficial. Our goal should be 10,000 steps a day. Impossible, you say? On average, men walk 7200 steps a day and ladies walk 5200. And that's just a normal day. Just intentionally add a few more and you hit the desired number.
I know this was general, but to sum it up--get moving. Walk, stretch, rebound, swim, walk to the mailbox while using a cane or pushing your walker. It's simply a matter of moving. It is so important.
Thanks for reading. And go move. As much or as little as you can. As fast or slow as you can. The important thing is move.