EXERCISE TO LIVE LONGER
by Clem Lacy,
President,
Hammond-Simmons Group, Inc.
I know all my friends and relatives in the midwest and northeast have had a very harsh winter. However, we are slowly
moving toward spring and warmer days. If taking a break from the winter is possible for you it provides time to reconnect with the sun’s warmth and enjoy the outdoors. I just returned from Ft. Pierce, Florida where I visited a friend (Ron) and played a few rounds of golf. He lives on a island with lots of great places to eat, walk and enjoy the water. The people there dress casually and smile alot. If that sounds like fun I recommend you visit there.
As I was thinking about this month’s health report I came across a study that said, “the strongest predictor of death is low fitness.” I don’t know about you, but that got my attention and gave me my topic for this month’s report. This report
went on to say, “The best thing you can do for your health is being active for a ½ hour a day.”. Now I can hear many people saying, I know I should, but I just don’t have the time. The reality is, however, that everyone has time. In fact, we all have 24 hours a day and we have to make choices about how we use our time. But even in a society as obsessed with slimness as ours most people would rather have a root canal than hit the gym. Our environment is changing more and more to promote a sedentary life. Being too busy to exercise is having severe consequences on the quantity and quality of life. So, I am going to try to convince you to use some of your time being active which can extend not only your life, but also improve the quality of your life.
There are many reasons why we don’t exercise, but why should we. The evidence is overwhelming. Of all the choices we
can make to stay healthy, the decision to exercise may be the most important one. An estimated 250,000 deaths each year occur due to lack of regular physical activty. Exercise, more so than diet, is the key to health and longevity. This, according to a survey that followed nearly 22,000 men over an average of an eight-year period. The study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, found that men who were fit but obese had a lower death rate than those who were unfit but lean. Instead of asking obese patients to diet, the study suggests, it would be better to encourage them to improve fitness by going
for three 10-minute walks a day.
I believe a healthy food plan, exercise, taking nutritional supplements and regular doctor visits is the best plan. Please visit my website http://www.hammond-simmonsgroup.com/ to see my selection of HSG vitamins, minerals and herbal supplements.
Fitness, not weight, is what is really important in health. And that’s good news because most people have more control
over exercise than they do over their weight, which has a strong genetic component. Exercise and diet are of equal importance, but if there’s only one thing a person can do, it’s better they opt for exercise, because good exercise habits are usually maintained. Diets generally are not.
The good news is that if you choose to spend only two percent of your 24-hour day on exercise, the benefits are truly
lifesaving! This translates into 30 minutes per day and by the way you can break these up into segments of ten minutes. Exercise can prevent heart disease and stroke. The heart becomes stronger, blood pressure drops, HDL (good) cholesterol
increases, LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglycetides decrease. The risk for heart attack may drop 20% in regular exercisers.
Exercise:
* boosts our immune system *combats osteoporosis by building bone density * helps prevent backpain
* releases and relieves stress * improves self esteem * improves mood * may ward off Alheimer’s disease * helps us
sleep better * improves digestion * helps manage our blood sugars * improves circulation * improves stamina * strengthen your heart and cardiovascular system * improve circulation and help your body use oxygen better * increase energy * improve muscle tone and strength * improve balance and joint flexibility * reduce body fat * help you
look fit and feel healthy
No, you don’t have to start training like a marathon runner. The difference between getting healthy and becoming a
statistic is increasing your activity level gradually. So, how do you do it. Use the stairs instead of the elevator when practical. Stop circling parking lots for the closest spot. Park a little bit farther away and walk. If you take the bus or subway, get off one stop early and walk the rest of the way. Vacuum more often, change the sheets more often, mop the floor more often, walk your dog more often. Our dog (Murphy Brown) never turns down a walk. To enjoy the rewards of exercise remember that proper breathing is important. Breathing helps ease tension from the body and brings oxygen to the muscles, as well as to the brain
and other vital organs. Lazy exercise with proper breathing has more health benefits than a strenuous workout without proper breathing. Breathe in through the nose and out through the mouth. Breathe slowly and steadily, and don’t hold your breath.
So, I hope you see the benefits of exercise and will begin today. Everyone who loves you will be happy you are taking better care of yourself. Soon you will start to hear, “you look good” from family and friends. There are other things I would like to add to the report, but it is time for me to go to the gym.
Our mission at Hammond-Simmons Group, Inc. is to help you feel better, look better and live longer. I hope the information in this health report has been informative.
Live the healthiest life possible,
Clem