In a word, yes. If you want to be healthy, you really must exercise. You may manage to be disease free, but you cannot be truly healthy – experiencing physical, mental and emotional soundness, vitality, and proper functioning – without it.
While there are many, many reasons why exercise is essential, let’s consider just this one: between age 25 and 65, a typical person gains an average one pound of weight per year. But they also lose 0.5 pounds of lean tissue (muscle) each year. This means they have actually gained 1.5 pounds of fat annually. Over a 40-year period, this accumulates to 60 pounds more fat and 20 pounds less lean mass!
The good news is that this is preventable. One and a half pounds equals 5250 calories, so eating about 100 fewer calories per week would stop the fat from accumulating. Weighing yourself once a week will help you stay on track. To circumvent the loss of muscle, exercise is the solution, and it doesn’t take hours in the gym. Hand-held weights, exercise bands or tubes, or your own body weight can provide all the resistance needed to maintain muscle mass. Two 30-minute or three 20-minute workouts per week on alternating days will do it.
To get started, check out these links at WebMD or give me a call. The sooner you start, the longer you’ll have to enjoy the benefits of being physically fit, strong, and energetic. Exercise will help you look, feel, and be your very best!