FACTS
More than 50 percent of adults do not get enough exercise, and 24 percent are not physically active at all.
More than 18 percent of children and 66 percent of adults are overweight, with 32.9 percent being obese.
1 death occurs every 36 seconds from heart disease and strokes.
1 in 3 American adults has high blood pressure.
Over 100 million adults have above normal or high cholesterol levels.
Roughly 20 million people have depressive disorders.
TAKE ACTION TODAY
1. Set a goal for yourself. Think about what types of benefits you want to achieve. Weight loss? Increased muscle mass? Improved general health?
2. Figure out what type of exercise you like most and best suits your desired goal.
3. Create a plan. Start with 3 days a week, 30 minutes per day. Try to build up to 4 or 5 days a week, 45 minutes per day.
4. Drink plenty of water before, during, and after exercising.
5. Don't buy into excuses like "I don't have enough time" or "I can't afford a gym membership."
6. Incorporate exercise into your workday by taking the stairs, walking during your lunch break, and stretching while at your desk.
7. Always consult a physician or exercise specialist for safety and guidance.
Do you really want to have heart disease, high blood pressure, a stroke, lung disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, osteoporosis, depression, arthritis, or unwanted pounds? If not, start incorporating regular physical activity into your day. By doing so, you'll increase your overall health, well-being, and quality of life. Physical activity does not need to be painful in order to be beneficial, so put this newspaper down and go get some.
YOU MATTER
Spring is in the air - the snows are melting, the air is getting warmer, and the flowers are starting to bloom. When asked, most Americans would say that this is the good news. But spring also means that it is time to shed the winter coat ... and that doesn't only mean the item of clothing. For more than half of Americans, that's the bad news. But it is time for this to change "before it's too late," according to Dan Milhurst of Denver, Colo.
"I just turned 40 this past winter, and I had this sort of bingo moment," said Dan. "I realized that every year it is only going to get tougher to stay healthy and that, if I let it go now, I may never get it back. I guess this is one of the reasons that everyone says the 40th birthday is the 'biggie'."
Statistics show that Dan couldn't be more correct. Unfortunately, as people get older, their metabolisms slow down, their bodies don't recover from exercise as quickly, and their joints begin to stiffen. This means that, for most people, exercise gets to be more challenging, diet and portion control become more important, and people become more sedentary.
"One thing that I never enjoyed was running. Even when I was younger, I really didn't like it," explained Dan. "So I decided to challenge myself on my 40th birthday, and I have convinced a couple co-workers to join me."
Dan convinced his co-workers to sign up for a half marathon and they started training immediately.
"I was surprised by how hard it was at first. My knees were killing me, my lungs were burning, and I honestly believed I could never pull off a half marathon," shared Dan. "But after the first two weeks, it started to change. I felt the difference that quickly."
From six miles a week for the first two weeks, they jumped to 12 miles a week. Today, eight weeks into training, they are running 24-30 miles a week and Dan is about 20 pounds lighter.
"I feel better than I felt when I was 30. It has affected me emotionally, physically, spiritually, and so many other ways. I have also developed amazing friendships with my running mates. It has been a great bonding experience for us, which has spilled into our work day as well."
To add a little extra motivation, Dan and his co-workers have made their challenge a fundraising effort as well. They are raising money for child leukemia.
"With our fundraising, we now realize that not only are we helping ourselves by getting healthier, we are helping other people as well," said Dan. "It's added a great dimension to all of this. We are now more motivated and excited than ever. I really think this will become an annual event for us. I can't imagine how rewarding it is going to be when we cross that finish line."
Dan, just writing about this makes us want to stop typing and start exercising. Thanks for sharing your story - you are a motivation and an inspiration. You matter.
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(Please visit EveryMondayMatters.com to buy the book, get involved, and share your stories about making a difference in the world. You matter.)
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(c) 2008, The Modesto Bee (Modesto, Calif.). Distributed by Mclatchy-Tribune News Service.