Five Reasons to be Physically Active
by Lisa Nelson RD
Physical activity, both aerobic and anaerobic, is essential to any weight loss program. Here are five reasons to add physical activity to your daily routine starting today:
1. Lower your LDL cholesterol:Being physically active daily for at least 30 minutes, such as taking a 30-minute walk, has been linked to reduced LDL cholesterol levels for both men and women.
2. Reduce your risk for diabetes:
Diagnosis of diabetes is on the rise, especially in children. Protect yourself and your children from developing diabetes by adding a minimum of 150 minutes of physical activity to your routine each week.
3. Decrease your risk of breast and colon cancer:
A study has found that women who are regularly active have a 35 percent reduction in risk of getting breast cancer. Physical activity also increases the survival rate for women diagnosed with breast cancer. The Harvard Nurses’ Health Study shows that walking three to five hours each week will decrease the risk of death by 50 percent. Physical activity has also been linked to reduced risk for colon and rectal cancers.
4. Increase your life span:Individuals who stay in shape as they age live longer—particularly with regard to the risk of heart disease. An Archives of Internal Medicine study showed that a workout each day could add about four years to your life. A sample from the Framingham Heart Study found individuals who walked 30 minutes five days a week lived 1.3 to 1.5 years longer than sedentary individuals. Boost your exercise intensity and studies show you may add 3.5 to 3.7 years to your lifespan.
5. Improve your quality of life as you age:Muscle mass declines as a normal part of aging. Starting at about the age of 30, your metabolism decreases about 2 percent every 10 years. This decrease is linked to a reduction in muscle mass. Lack of strength and a poor fitness level as you age equates to frailty and loss of independence.
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