It is important to get proper exercise in your life. It is important to not only exercise at least 3-5 times per week for approximately 30-45 minutes, which can be broken down into smaller time periods, like 10 minutes at a time, it is important to make sure you engage in a variety of exercises.
There are four main categories of exercise that will help to keep you feeling your best. Your body, your energy levels, and your health will all great benefit, when you take time to move your body keeping the following types of exercise in mind:
Aerobic Conditioning - (Optimal health: 5 times a week for 30-45 minutes)
This is cardiovascular exercise and it is one of the most important forms of exercise. It includes running, walking, exercise machines and any other form of activity that involves cardio pulmonary work.
This form of exercise brings more oxygen to the brain and tissues improving one's mood and alertness. It is a healing tonic for the arteries, heart, breathing function, and lungs.
Strength Training - (Optimal health: 2-3 times a week)
This form of exercise is important for the function and health of your muscles. With strength training you repeat exercise until your muscles are fatigued. This exercise promotes the natural muscle breakdown and repair that is necessary for proper muscle health.
It is an exercise that is easy to incorporate in your life by picking things up regularly. Studies suggest that if you do not get proper strength training you can lose up to 40% of muscle mass by the age of 80 which will be replaced by fat making you weaker and more prone to falls. Do not let this happen to you! Flexibility Training - (Optimal health: regularly; at least 3-5 times a week)
This form of exercise is necessary for the health of your joints and can help prevent injury. It is especially crucial for people who are in one position most of the day (i.e. if you sit at a desk all day long).
It is a natural form of exercise that we can gain pleasure from as well. Look to dogs and cats and see how they regularly stretch throughout the day. We can learn much from them. Different forms of stretching:
Passive Stretching - having someone put your body in a certain position and then apply pressure on that area.
Yoga - specifically Hatha yoga, which promotes a quieting of the mind as well to help you reach a meditative state of mind. Balance Training - (Optimal health: regularly; at least 3-5 times a week)
This form of exercise is important to reduce possibility of injury. It also, metaphorically teaches us how to live balanced in life. This include:
Tai Chi (Chinese Shadow Boxing) - is an exercise that is fun and graceful.
Yoga.
Martial Arts - is a form of exercise that teaches you how to overcome your opponent by getting them off balance. It is very popular with children.
So get your bodies moving! Only you can control the health, well being and longevity of your life! You CAN do it!
