Personally, I know very few people who like to exercise but the ones who do look great, feel great and in any activity can run the rest of us into the ground.

Exercise improves blood pressure, makes us less insulin resistant, and can also reduce depression. It speeds up our metabolism helping to burn calories. And higher metabolic rates make the body more resistant to the damage of free radicals.

Simply put, exercise is the atomic bomb in the war on aging. It is the biggest gun in our arsenal. Like it or not we have to do it.

Here’s how to make it happen:-

  1. Find an aerobics activity.  Aerobic exercises burn fat & calories while improving your oxygen system. Walking, running and jogging all fit perfectly into this category. You may be surprised to learn that a walker can be just as healthy as a runner. Many experts agree that good vigorous walking is probably a better choice than the long run. It is easier on your joints. Learn to walk with poles and you will get the same results with half the time and effort.
  2. If you can’t exercise regularly at least become more active. Take the stairs instead of an elevator, park at the far end of the lot and walk  to the mall entrance, do gardening or yard work. Even regular housework or washing the car can have a positive effect on your health.
  3. Pull your weight. No exercise programme is complete without weight training. Improving strength and muscle tone will help you look and move like a much younger person. Building muscle even raises the blood’s HDL (good) cholesterol.

You exercise programme does not have to be difficult or strenuous. Find the activities you dislike the least and aim to do them about 30 minutes a day, four or five times a week. If you’ve been inactive for a while, start slowly and build up to your goal to prevent injury.