FORT BENNING, Ga., (Sept. 2, 2015) -- Falling into the trap of physical inactivity can be easy when you're busy at work all day, the only one to pick the kids up from school, work two jobs, or have other equally important obligations. However, it's pivotal to make physical activity a priority not only for you and your health, but also for your loved ones.
There are numerous reasons why getting active and staying active is important. A healthy lifestyle can be the difference in disease prevention, helping people delay or even prevent the onset of diabetes, heart disease and certain types of cancer. Individuals who participate regularly in different types of physical activity will improve in cardiovascular and respiratory function. For example, endurance exercise may lower heart rate and blood pressure at a given submaximal intensity, increase capillary density in skeletal and cardiac muscle and increase exercise threshold.
If you have the opportunity, come to work an hour early or stay an hour later to use one of the fitness facilities on post.
Having an accountability partner is very helpful as well. This could be somebody you exercise with, a buddy to keep you on track with good eating habits, or a friend to just simply encourage and motivate you periodically.
A good rule of thumb that has proven to be helpful is setting a target of taking at least 10,000 steps per day. The most effective and successful type of exercise strategy is one that allows exercise to occur outside of a structured setting based on time constraints, integration into regular activity, and social qualities.
To help keep an accurate count of your daily steps, you can use a pedometer that may already be installed in your smart phone, purchase a Fitbit or Jawbone Up band, or even a small waist pedometer. Walking over 10,000 steps per day significantly decreased systolic and diastolic blood pressures suggesting an improvement in cardiovascular function.
Whether you choose to have a structured exercise regimen, get a personal trainer, workout at a fitness facility or engage in 10,000 steps per day, make sure you get healthy! Have a plan, stick with it, and feel the benefits!
Join the Fort Benning Fitbit Team: Team Benning "Don't Sit, Get Fit!" at www.fitbit.com/group/22GJT4.
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