What’s the best exercise for you?
The one that you will do. Find an activity that
you enjoy, swimming, running, Pilates, yoga, tai chi, whatever it is, if you
enjoy it, chances are that you will stick to it and do it. Exercise will
also help you stay healthier, preventing heart disease, obesity and
osteoporosis.
Running may burn the most calories, but, do you enjoy
running, can you commit to a running schedule? Maybe you have arthritis
and it is too painful to run. Walking is a great option for most individuals.
Walking can be done anywhere at any time. You can challenge your walk by
walking at a fast pace, going uphill. For individuals who have
osteoporosis or at risk for osteoporosis walking with a weighted vest is a
great option because the extra weight on the body will increase bone density.
To be fit and healthy you have to do aerobic, strength and flexibility exercises.
Aerobic refers
to activity that utilizes more oxygen.
Aerobic activity improves our cardiovascular system. Our heart and lungs
work more efficiently giving us more endurance. During aerobic activities, you
have to exert yourself to a level that gets you slightly or very out of
breath. Take yourself outside of your comfort zone, not 100% of the time,
but it can be done at intervals.
Strengthening activities help build muscle and bone
which can be achieved by weights, rubber tubing, stretch bands. Strengthening
activities also affects out body’s metabolism creating more energy, so more fat
is burned. Yoga and Pilates can be strengthening activities, because you
are working your body against gravity, creating resistance and building muscle.
Flexibility is the ability to move freely within a
joint. Most individuals, including athletes and very fit people neglect
this important component to their routines. By doing flexibility
exercises you help to bring muscles back to their normal resting length and
keep joints supple and able to move with ease. Yoga is a great practice
to help increase your flexibility