29 January 2019
Avi Petrucci
According to a recent Morbidity and Mortality survey by the CDC, only 20.6 percent of people in the United States meet the recommended amount of exercise (a small total of only two and half hours of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise each week or one hour and 15 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity).
When these base levels for exercise aren’t met, the risk of diabetes, heart disease, obesity and some cancers increase putting immense stress on an individual’s body, which could have easily been prevented.
Deadly diseases like these clearly represent why all individuals should work out — not to meet certain beauty standards or ideal body images, but for their health, both physical and mental.
Alongside losing weight, gaining muscle and combating health conditions, many studies report that regular exercise can help boost confidence, increase short and long term memory and improve overall happiness. The Mayo Clinic specifically shares that exercising frequently can improve mood, boost energy and promote better sleep.
Although most studies recommend completing intense aerobic activities, like running, boxing, biking or swimming, you don’t have to jump into a new, regular workout routine. Start with something low impact, comfortable and enjoyable, like low weight, high rep weightlifting, yoga or walking, which was found to decrease the risk of stroke in both men and women by AHA Journals.
After you’re fully comfortable with that activity, you can begin adding in more activities, training harder and eating healthier to continue to see results and further improve your overall health.
When beginning to workout, experts also share that you shouldn’t start off with the goal of striving to reach a certain weight or shape, but instead exercise with the mindset of being stronger, healthier and happier. Beginning with goals like these in mind often motivates an individual to make a full lifestyle change.
Start with realistic goals or an activity you love to get active for your health.