Fitness/Your healthy body

Fitness/Your healthy body

Keeping fit helps you look and feel your best at every age. You don’t have to be a world-class athlete to reap the benefits of a healthy lifestyle; almost any level of activity will do your body and mind a world of good. A good target is to get 30 minutes of moderate exercise 5 days a week and feel good about yourself for doing it.

Stay fit to:

• Look and feel great
• Improve your balance, flexibility and posture
• Tone and build muscle
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Sleep better
• Stay independent longer as you age
• Reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke
• Lower your blood pressure
• Raise your “good” artery-clearing HDL cholesterol to reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease
• Lower your risk of type 2 diabetes
• Keep your bones strong to reduce your risk of osteoporosis
• Protect yourself against colon, breast, and cervical cancer

Make fitness a part of your day

• Get 30 minutes of moderate exercise at least 5 days a week
• Create a fitness routine that includes:
  • Aerobic exercise
  • Strength training
  • Flexibility exercises
  • Cross-train with several activities to get stronger and reduce your risk of injury

Sticking to your fitness routine will make you more confident that you can achieve your goals.

Your healthy mind

Staying fit makes all kinds of good things happen in your brain:

• Sharpen your concentration and memory
• Ease depression
• Perk up your mood
• Reduce stress and anxiety
• Lower your risk of Alzheimer’s disease
• Stimulate the growth of new brain cells