Healthy Living - "Just do it" to Live Longer

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"Just do it" to Live Longer

As you may have read in the Healthy Living Forum on Delphi, "Just Do It" is not as easy as some people make it seem. Just do it. It almost sounds like "Get up off your lazy butt - that's the only thing holding you back." and we know that just isn't always the case.

I found this article in a magazine I was reading on the train on my way to work, and it inspired me enough to "Just do it" that I thought I would share it with all of you.

For many, the motivation to exercise stems from a strong desire to trim down. Because this motivation is often based on appearances, routines can be broken if weight goals are not realized, as expected.

Here is 'real life' motivation for exercise: People who are in shape outlive people who are not. Did that get your attention?

You would think that with 55 percent of Americans overweight (i.e. at a weight that is 20 percent over ideal weight), the major health concern should be to lose weight. Not necessarily so. The Cooper Institute for Aerobic Research in Dallas reports that physically fit people, regardless of weight, live 60% longer than people who are unfit.

Based on these findings, your primary exercise goal should be rooted in general fitness, rather than weight loss.

According to the study, the keys to fitness are to exercise on a regular basis and eat a sensible diet.

Consider yourself fit if

you can walk 3-4 miles within an hour,

you exercise at least three times a week for 20 minutes or more, and

your blood pressure, cholesterol level and blood sugar range are at a level acceptable to your doctor

Source: Fit&Fun Magazine August, 1999