Not Too Late For the New Year.

Were you thinking about becoming more physically active this year? You know you were! So let me encourage and motivate you.

Each year 250,000 deaths in the U.S. can be attributed to lack of adequate exercise. It takes discipline and determination, but what’s worthwhile doesn’t? Read the list below, and try to find the answer that is incorrect (Look at end for answer).

150+ minutes weekly should keep us in good cardiovascular shape.

Regular physical activity can:

Improve mental health.

Improve control of diabetes.

Improve control of hypertension. (high blood pressure)

Prevent osteoporosis.

Improve control of elevated lipids. (cholesterol, etc)

Help the elderly maintain mobility, independence, and decrease falls.

Seeing all that, will you make plans to be more active this year? You know you will! In addition, we believe it is our Christian duty and privilege to treat our bodies with respect, which includes physical activity.

The spiritual disciplines of prayer, Bible study, fellowship, etc. are of greater importance, of course, but regular exercise can enhance our discipline and faithfulness in other areas of our lives as well.

So what should a reasonable goal be? The U.S. Surgeon General, American Academy of Family Physicians, CDC, and other groups recommend 150 minutes or more of aerobic exercise per week. This includes brisk walking, jogging, treadmill, swimming, bicycling, aerobics, etc, or a combination of things.

So, for example, 30 minutes of brisk walking 5 days a week would work. Try not to let more than 2 days elapse between episodes of exercise. This 150+ minutes weekly should keep us in good cardiovascular shape. It may or may not help you lose weight—that depends on how much you eat, of course. If you have other questions or concerns, ask your doctor (but not when he’s at church or at Safeway!)

Answer: ALL of the things on the list above have been shown to be true of regular exercise—you knew that was coming!

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