Do you know where your fitness level is? The more we learn, the more we realize how important it is to move our bodies. Inactivity brings spiraling health risks, especially when combined with a poor diet.
Sit on this: A 15-year study in the American Journal of Epidemiology found women who spent six hours a day sitting have a 37 percent higher risk of dying during that time period over those who spent less than three hours a day sitting.
Daily physical activity is a proven step to reduce your risk of developing or dying from chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and some cancers. Not to mention it helps you control your weight. Moderate daily activity for at least 30 minutes helps lower cholesterol, blood sugar, blood pressure and stress levels, improves bone health, improves flexibility and range of motion in joints, and reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Examples of moderate activity:
- • Brisk walking
- • Weight lifting
- • Tai chi
- • Dancing
- • Golf
- • Cleaning house
- • Gardening
- • Softball
To take it up a notch, add jogging, climbing stairs, bicycling, swimming or tennis. Try taking a brisk walk at lunchtime to boost your fitness and increase your alertness for the rest of the day. If you’ve been sedentary for a while, build your activity levels gradually, even if you have to start with just 10 or 15 minutes at a time. Your goals should be to:
- • Improve your cardiovascular endurance by increasing your breathing and heart rate;
- • Strengthen your muscles by working all muscle groups at least twice a week through weight lifting or resistance exercises such as push-ups, abdominal curls and squats;
- • Improve flexibility by stretching.
Exercise’s Peppy Partner
A common reason people say they don’t exercise is that they just don’t have the energy to do it. That’s where nutrition comes in to play. A diet rich in protein and fiber, with healthy fats and a variety of fruits and vegetables, provides the necessary energy to fuel your commitment to exercise. At the same time, when you’re busy juggling family, work and social responsibilities, supplements can offer a way to shore up your body’s nutritional needs as you increase your activity level.
Reliv’s ProVantage® and Innergize!® provide the powerful nutrition you need to boost exercise performance and aid in recovery. 24K™ gives you an additional boost. This caffeine-free healthy energy shot contains 24 ingredients that work synergistically to tap into your body’s natural vitality. With increased energy, you’ll be pumped to get moving every day toward a healthier, longer life!
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