Jan. 11--I was asked, "Why exercise?" My response was an equally simple question: "Why wouldn't you?"
The benefits of exercise in moderation are far reaching and endless. The American Heart Association lists benefits of daily physical activity. They classify activity as: walking, jogging, swimming, cycling, aerobics, ballroom, tap or jazz dancing and skiing, among other things. The key, in their view, is that you perspire moderately, breathe a little heavier without being out of breath and have some fatigue in the muscle groups used. They agree with the train smarter, not harder method of using your pulse rate as an indicator of the effort being used.
Their list of benefits includes:
--Reduces the risk of heart disease by improving blood circulation.
--Helps keep weight under control.
--Improves blood cholesterol levels.
--Helps prevent and manage high blood pressure.
--Helps prevent bone loss.
--Boosts energy levels.
--Helps manage stress.
--Releases tension.
--Improves the ability to fall asleep quickly and sleep well.
--Improves self-image.
--Counters anxiety and depression, and increases enthusiasm and optimism.
--Increases muscle strength, increasing the ability to do other physical activities.
--Provides a way to share an activity with family and friends.
--Establishes good heart-healthy habits in children and counters the conditions (obesity, high blood pressure, poor cholesterol levels, poor lifestyle habits and more) that lead to heart attack and stroke later in life.
--In mature people, it helps delay or prevent chronic illnesses and diseases associated with aging and maintains quality of life and independence longer.
Study after study is coming out demonstrating the benefits of exercise or the consequences of not exercising, with titles like:
--Obese Children Show Early Signs of Heart Disease
--How Exercise Lowers Cardiovascular Risk
--Exercise Improves Thinking, Reduces Diabetes In Overweight Children
--Aerobic Exercise is Best Fitness Program
--Exercise Reverses Aging in Human Skeletal Muscle
--Fitness in Young Adulthood Protects Heart Health in Middle Age
--Aerobic Exercise Helps Maintain Muscle In Elderly
And many more -- some others have been shared in this column during the past.
For those that keep coming up with excuses, put your energy were your excuses are. I invite you to find one credible study that indicates that exercise in moderation is not good for you. Share the study with me. I do not think you will find a credible study that can come to that conclusion.
If you think you are too old, fat, out of shape, uncoordinated or unhealthy, there are studies that indicate exercise can improve your quality of life. Certainly you may consult with your personal physician, and I am certain you will need to start easy and work your way into a program. However, every day you wait is another day lost to not improve yourself and your quality of life. What have you got to lose?
Bottom line -- give yourself the best opportunity to enjoy and improve in your conditioning program. Train smarter, not harder and get the proper equipment. Now meet those fitness goals throughout 2009 and beyond! It takes effort to achieve your goals. Have the confidence in yourself that you can make the change and then get on it. Get active!
I trust there are no questions now as to why you should exercise.
To assist in your starting a walking or running exercise program, Get Active -- Running and More, the local specialty running store, is offering a boot camp for the beginner. This program started on Jan. 5 and will end Feb. 4. You only missed one week -- get up and get out there. The dates are perfect for those new lifestyle changes that you are going to keep this year. The boot camp is offered two days per week, Monday and Wednesday, starting at 5:45 p.m. There will be a short 10-15 minute presentation to assist you in your knowledge about the activities and suggested paths to follow. Then off you will go for a walk or run, depending on your level of fitness and desires. There is a cost associated with signing up for the program; however, that cost can be used as credit towards the purchase of shoes at the locally-owned store.
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On Jan. 29, listen to Talk 92.1 FM for the radio program that will offer an interview with a recognized expert concerning obesity and its trends in the U.S. and more. In the meantime, start a program to be proactive and preventative -- rather than reactive. Listen in and become involved on Talk 92.1 FM between 6-7 p.m. You will learn from this program.
The Valdosta Grand Prix circuit for 2009 started on Jan. 1 and continues throughout the year. There are five events throughout the year: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day and Thanksgiving Day. In each of these events, points can be earned towards overall and age group categories. Four of the five events will have an entry fee of $5 and a cap for a family of $20; however, no T-shirts will be offered. Awards will be given out to overall, masters and the top two in each of 16 age groups, both male and female. The way the points are awarded should keep everyone close in the standings. Be a part of the 2009 Valdosta Grand Prix. In conjunction with this Grand Prix is one designed for the younger folks who run the 1-mile events. Get the family involved in either the 5K or 1-mile events. You will feel the difference.
Feb. 28 -- the annual Victory for Victoria run/walks will occur on the Valwood campus. Applications will be out soon, so you and your family can get involved.
March 14 -- the annual Azalea Festival 5K and 1-mile runs will be presented. Applications are already out, so come by the Get Active running store to pick one up.
If you have questions about your walking, running or other training, drop me an e-mail and I will do my level best to answer your questions. Check out www.getactivevaldosta.com to get connected. Become a member of the GetActiveSouthGeorgia yahoo group with over 115 other people. Listen to the Get Active radio program on Thursday evenings from 6-7 p.m. on Talk 92.1 FM to receive additional information or to ask questions.
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