The statistics speak for themselves. In the past twenty years, the number of obese children in America has doubled and the number of obese adolescents has tripled. What researchers are finding is the youth of America spend over twenty hours per week watching TV, playing video games and playing on the computer. What is alarming is that visits to our national parks and public lands have decreased dramatically. Besides not getting outside for some sunshine and Vitamin D, these children are also not exercising. Adults are worse off because they do not have a gym requirement at their place of employment as children do in school.
Exercise can do so many things for you and it doesn't have to painful! Taking a walk is the best form of exercise. When you work out, you relieve stress. You release endorphins - those "feel good" hormones. You circulate your blood helping the body to better function overall. Before the advent of technology, exercise was a part of daily life and no one thought twice about it. Today it is different. We even have remote control clickers so we don't have to get up off the couch to change TV channels.
Exercise employs the law of use. Basically, if you don't use it, you lose it. If you don't exercise, stretch, or work out, you will lose the use of those muscles and you will suffer the consequences - physical pain. Why would you want to go through that?
As with most changes, to be effective they need to become part of your regular routine. If you cringe at the mere mention of exercise, then find a friend and schedule walks together or join a gym together. Do affirmations surrounding getting active and its benefits will also help. Also, start out slowly if you do not currently have any exercise program set up. Doing daily exercise will also increase the likelihood that activity will become a regular part of your everyday life. And again, if you under a doctor's care, please consult with them before beginning any exercise program.
Here are resources and links to websites on this topic. As I come across more helpful information, I will continue to update this page.
"Fitness for Life" by Charles B. Corbin and Ruth Lindsey
Exercise: The Seven Benefits of Regular Physical Activity. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/exercise/HQ01676
Barriers to Fitness: Overcoming Common Problems. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/fitness/SM00085_D
Fitness Training: 5 Elements of a Rounded Routine. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/fitness-training/HQ01305
