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Your body was created to move. Take control of your health by developing and maintaining a regular exercise regime. Too many people today have very sedimentary lifestyle. This sedimentary lifestyle puts one at risk for many disease states to include diabetes, heart and vascular disease, high blood pressure, increased stress and stroke, to name a few.
Benefits of Your Body in Motion
Your body was created to move. Regular exercise helps the body function efficiently, process glucose (blood sugar, the body’s fuel) better. Regular aerobic exercise lowers blood pressure. Mild aerobic exercise (maintaining your heart rate 50-75% of your maximum heart rate (Maximum heart rate = 220 minus (your age in years)) for 30 minutes 3-5 times weekly) can reduce your systolic blood pressure approximately 11 mmHg (millimeters of mercury) and reduce your diastolic blood pressure approximately 9 mmHg. Regular aerobic exercise also helps your heart beat more efficiently and therefore improves the heart’s work effort and lowers the heart rate. Regular exercise lowers body weight and according to the National Institutes of Health, just a 10-pound weight decrease can make a significant decrease in your blood pressure. Regular aerobic exercise will make you feel better because it releases your body’s endorphins and helps relieve stress. Exercise also helps improve strength and improve balance. Improving strength and balance decreases risk of falls.
Get Moving and Be Active
One of the best ways you can take responsibility for your health and become healthier is to start exercising regularly. By something you enjoy or have fun doing, you will be more likely to develop the habit of exercising. One way you can start is by walking, dancing, swimming, yoga or doing another low-impact aerobic activity for 30 minutes three times a week. The goal is to work your way up to 45 minutes at least 5 times a week. Your body is created to move, so get into an exercise groove and improve your health.
For other great articles and tips to improve your health, visit www.medicaldirectcare.com.
Dr. Gregory Fryer is a Board Certified Family Medicine Physician who is the owner of Medical Direct Care, PLC, located at 190 Hatcher Lane, Suite B, Clarksville, TN 37043.