| Accepted wisdom for the past few years, based on a U.S. Surgeon General’s report in 1996, has been that we should all have at least 30 minutes of moderate daily exercise. Yet a report by the U.S. Institute of Medicine this September says we should be active for at least a full hour every day; merely half-an-hour is insufficient to maintain a healthy weight range.
The new recommendations, based on the activity levels of those with healthiest body weights, have sparked a debate on whether doctors should concentrate most on increasing those levels or reducing obesity through weight control - both important in the battle against conditions ranging from heart disease through to diabetes.
It seems that people who do at least an hour of daily moderate physical activity, such as walking, are most likely to avoid the health risks associated with obesity. Men and women who find they don’t have enough time should try to find other ways to be more active – jogging instead of walking, or taking the stairs rather than the lift.
However, even three 10-minute walks a day are important and still provide health benefits. Anyone who goes from getting no exercise to getting the Surgeon General's recommended 30-minute minimum will definitely increase their health and fitness levels.
Whatever the daily amount, there is no dispute over the fact that exercise is one of the best health investments you can make. For many, it can remedy some of the damage associated with smoking, high blood pressure and high blood sugar. It also makes you feel good, look great, and helps recharge your libido.
Perhaps the most convincing reason why it is worth making fitness your top priority is that exercise is the most effective anti-ageing pill ever discovered.
If you are inspired to fit more fitness into your busy life, see Ok 50’s How to Stay Motivated. |
