Why get fit?
There are all kinds of reasons why many of us find it hard to start
exercising - our day-to-day lives require a lot less physical
activity than in our grandparents' or even parents' day, most of us
own cars and rely on them to get around, and more and more people
spend hours sitting in front of computers.
The excuses
The pressures of home and family life can also mean it feels as if
there's little time left to fit in exercise. It's certainly tough
to get started.
So, it's worth thinking about what you gain from regular exercise
and making even a partial improvement to your fitness.
Physical inactivity is an independent risk factor for coronary
heart disease - in other words, if you don't exercise you
dramatically increase your risk of dying from a heart attack
Conversely, exercise means a healthier heart because it reduces
several cardiovascular risks, including high blood pressure
Being physically active can bolster good mental health and help you
to manage stress, anxiety and even depression
Regular exercise can help you achieve and maintain an ideal weight,
which can be important in managing many health conditions, or may
just make you feel happier about your appearance
All exercise helps strengthen bones and muscles to some degree, but
weight-bearing exercise, such as running, is especially good in
promoting bone density and protecting against osteoporosis, which
affects men as well as women
Different exercises help with all sorts of health niggles, such as
digestion, poor posture and sleeplessness, and physical activity
can be beneficial for a range of medical conditions, from diabetes
to lower back pain
Don't be a statistic
There are lots of positive reasons for getting fitter, including
meeting new people, discovering new interests and generally feeling
better, but if you need to be scared into doing more exercise,
consider the following:
On current trends a third of men will be obese by 2010, according
to a 2006 Department of Health report
Between 2003 and 2006, obesity in adults rose by nearly 40 per
cent
The picture is just as worrying for youngsters - by 2010, it's
predicted 22 per cent of girls and 19 per cent of boys between the
ages of two and 15 will be obese, with girls under 11 at particular
risk
Obesity is responsible for 9,000 premature deaths a year in this
country, and is a major contributory factor to heart disease
Coronary heart disease (CHD) is still the leading cause of death in
the UK, accounting for about a fifth of all deaths, according to
the Office for National Statistics
About a third of deaths caused by CHD are among people aged under
75
Keep mobile
Almost half of adults in the UK will be aged over 50 by 2020. We
tend to assume the benefits and pleasures of sport, exercise and
fitness are only for younger people, but think again. The rewards
of improved fitness later in life can be great both for your
health and social life.
Statistics show activity levels decline steadily with age, and by
their mid-50s few people take regular exercise.
But regular activity is especially important as you age because it
has beneficial effects on conditions such as diabetes and
cardiovascular disease, and helps you maintain mobility and mental
well-being and, consequently, your independence.
There's no reason you should give up the sport you love just
because you're getting older. There are plenty of exceptions to the
statistical trend of decreased activity as we get older at clubs
up and down the country, for example, there are runners in their
50s, 60s and beyond whose fitness puts people 20 or 30 years their
junior to shame.
And even if you weren't especially active or sporty at a younger
age, it's never too late to start. Male or female, single or with a
partner, there's lots you can do, and enjoy.
Some of the health benefits you'll get are the same as younger
people, but there are things that are of particular benefit as you
get older:
More energy - exercise makes you feel more energetic, while sitting
around not doing much makes you feel sluggish and unable to do
anything
Improved sleep - your body and mind feel as though they've done
something and are ready for rest at night
Stable weight - regular exercise helps to keep you at a healthy
weight
Improved circulation and lower blood pressure
Delayed ageing - keeping active strengthens your muscles, joints
and bones as well as helping with mobility and balance, important
as it helps to prevent falls, which are the leading cause of injury
and death for the over-75s
On top of the health benefits, exercise can be an excellent way to
meet new people, whether it's at a gym, a rambling or running club,
or just people you meet while walking the dog.