In order to reach our goal of living to 120, we must make several healthy choices.\u00a0 One of these choices is the decision to exercise.\u00a0 In fact, physical fitness is the most important predictor for longevity.<\/p>\n
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), only 23% of Americans get any regular light to moderate physical activity.\u00a0 In light of this information, is it any wonder that we are in the middle of an obesity epidemic?<\/p>\n
Regular physical activity decreases our risk for many diseases including:\u00a0 obesity, high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes, osteoporosis, many cancers, anxiety and depression.<\/p>\n
An ongoing study, (which began in 1984,) has been monitoring the difference between two groups of people at Stanford University: the \u2018ever-runners\u2019 and the \u2018never-runners\u2019.<\/p>\n
The health of these two groups has been tracked for nearly three decades.\u00a0 Not surprisingly, the data has shown that exercise is critical to health.\u00a0 Over the years, compared with the never-exercisers, people who exercised regularly showed improved aerobic capacity, better heart health, increased bone mass, less inflammation, less physical disability, and even improved thinking, learning and memory.\u00a0 They also lived significantly LONGER.\u00a0 However, what most astounded the researchers, was the fact that the runners continued to have improved health and longevity even if they converted to less vigorous activities later in life.\u00a0 By the 19th year of the study, 15% of the runners had died, compared to 34% of the of non-runners.<\/p>\n
Many people claim that they do not have enough time in the day to exercise.\u00a0 But let me reveal a little secret:\u00a0 for every minute of exercise, you gain two minutes of longevity.\u00a0 So you just do a little borrowing\u2014you borrow from the future.\u00a0 Take time to care for your body now, and it will pay off double in the future.<\/p>\n
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average American spends two hours and forty-five minutes a day watching television.\u00a0 However, time spent participating in sports, exercise, or recreation was drastically less: the average being only 18 minutes a day.\u00a0 The numbers speak for themselves.\u00a0 We have enough time to take care of our bodies; we simply need to prioritize it.<\/p>\n
There have been several studies that show physical activity can help prevent many types of cancer, particularly colon and breast cancer.\u00a0 Current cancer patients can also benefit from exercise.\u00a0 For example, the most physically active breast cancer patients reduced their risk of cancer related death and recurrence by up to 40%.<\/p>\n
Increasing your physical activity after the age of 50 has tremendous benefits.\u00a0 Not only can it add 2-4 years to your life, but a recent study has shown that people who remain physically active remain disability-free for an additional 5.7 years.\u00a0 So you will not only live longer, but the quality of your life will be better for a longer period of time.<\/p>\n
Of all the health habit choices we can make, maintaining physical fitness is the most important.\u00a0 In fact, given the choice between quitting smoking or staying fit, staying fit is slightly healthier and would lead to a longer lifespan.<\/p>\n
It has been shown that burning as little as 500 calories per week has positive health benefits\u2014 That is the equivalent of walking only 5 miles\/week.\u00a0 However, this is a case of \u201cIf a little is good, more is better.\u201d\u00a0 We recommend walking 2-3 miles\/day six days a week.\u00a0 That would burn an extra 1800 calories\/week; you would gain significant health benefits, as we have described, and be getting closer to our goal of living to 120.<\/p>\n
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