Today’s guest blog is by Nancy Gell,
a graduate student in the department of kinesiology at Auburn University and a
member of APHA’s Physical Activity Special Primary Interest Group.
If you saw the
headline, "Problem solved: Feel better, less stressed and more productive
at work," would you read on?
If your
child's teacher said, "Your child's test scores could be better, and I
have an easy solution to make that happen," would you listen to his suggestion?
If your
doctor told you, "As you get older, your memory declines, but I have the
prescription to help fight against that, and it also helps lower your risk for
dementia," would you ask about that prescription?
The good
news is, it's all true and all of these scenarios refer to the health benefits
of exercise. There are 1,440 minutes in every day; schedule 30 of them for physical
activity. For adults, being active for 30 minutes or more on most days of the
week can produce positive health benefits. Kids should get at least 60 minutes
of activity most days of the week to achieve health benefits.
Here are
some ways to fit physical activity into your daily schedule:
• Pick
activities that you enjoy. If you don't like to run, try walking; if you don't
like to walk, try biking; if you don't like to bike, try dancing.
• Make it
social. Giving and getting encouragement from a friend can keep you motivated
and help you stick to your physical activity goals.
• Make
it a family affair. Encourage your kids to be physically active now
to begin establishing a lifetime of healthy behaviors.
• Write
down your activity goal. Whatever your goal, writing it down will help you work
toward it.
• Log your
activity so you can measure your progress. Keeping track of your activity is a
good motivator to push yourself harder.
For more tips
and information, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s physical activity page,
Let's Move!, the American Council on Exercise and APHA’s Physical
Activity Special Primary Interest Group.
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