Have you been thinking about doing more physical activity?
Maybe you were more active when you were younger, but your life has gotten too hectic and now you just don't have the time.
Or maybe the word "exercise" sends chills down your back, and you have no desire or idea on how to get started.
There are three things to keep in mind as you think about physical activity and ways to get going: It is good for you. It will save you money. It can be relatively easy and enjoyable.
If you are not living an active lifestyle, you are not alone. In King County, more than seven out of 10 adults are either completely sedentary or not sufficiently physically active. So there is a very good chance that you are somebody with an increasingly inactive lifestyle.
While you probably won't notice the effects immediately, a life without physical activity can have enormous, even debilitating impacts on your health and life. Overweight and obesity lead to many serious health conditions for individuals, ranging from chronic diseases to mental-health issues.
And the impact is on our nation is huge: Approximately $100 billion are spent nationally each year on obesity-related health-care costs.
The health benefits of regular physical activity have been reported widely, by entities ranging from the U.S. Surgeon General to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to your very own neighborhood health department, Public Health-Seattle & King County.
Physical activity can help prevent and manage heart disease, high blood pressure, colon cancer, type 2 diabetes, osteoarthritis, obesity, depression and anxiety. It also creates a greater sense of well-being, contributes to maintaining proper body weight, improves strength and flexibility, increases energy, improves balance, improves sleep and helps to strengthen bones.
The good news is there are things you can do at home, work and in your community to get on the road to healthier and more active living. Even better, we're committed to support you. Right now, King County is working with schools, local cities, businesses and community organizations to make it easier for you to live an active life wherever you are. As just one example, we've partnered with local communities to develop neighborhood walking maps, available on our Public Health website.
For you, the first step is to achieve and maintain good health begins with deciding to start. Starting small makes sense for many people, especially for those with busy schedules.
In the Pacific Northwest, there are many opportunities to walk, dance, bike, hike, swim and garden.
Physical activity, however, can often be more subtle and integrated into your daily lifestyle. Many people are surprised to learn that any activity done at 10 minutes intervals at least three times a day can be counted as 30 minutes of exercise.
At home, spend time gardening, play with children or pets, and perform home repair and cleaning activities. Similarly, exercise while watching TV, by doing hand weights, stretching or using a stationary bicycle, treadmill or stair climber.
Outside of home, walk when doing errands, park your car farther away from your destination or take the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator.
Instead of taking a cigarette or coffee break at work, take fitness breaks by taking walks or doing desk exercises.
The best health benefits come with 45 minutes or more of any moderate-intensity physical activity, such as a brisk walk, over the course of your day on five or more days of the week. But any increase in physical activity is always good and a good start to better health.
Physical activity is part of a good life, not separate from it, so seek out others to join you and to support each other.
Don't fall into the trap that you have to do much, too soon and too seriously. By making manageable changes that become part of your active day, you will feel better, healthier and increase your enjoyment of what matters most to you. That's what is really important to all of us and what good health is all about.
For more information on physical activity, including community walking maps, visit the Public Health-Seattle & King County's website: www.metrokc. gov/health/exercise.[[In-content Ad]]
