News Taffy

Do you exercise? Do you believe exercise is essential to your health and well being? Do you notice any difference in the way you feel when you exercise regularly as opposed to times when you are more sedentary? I have been active my whole life with few periods of down time and I can’t imagine not being active. Hardly a day goes by that I’m not doing something, even if it’s just a short walk.

I just read a study which showed our neighbor Tennessee had the lowest percentage of physically active residents. I have to admit that surprised me; I would have guessed Mississippi or Arkansas, the usual culprits for anything bad. The western third of the nation had the most active population and the middle, including North and South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Iowa and the Southern states, the least active. A recent Gallup poll also showed an overall slight decrease in the number of Americans who say they exercise regularly.

Some people think they get enough exercise just moving around at work and if you are an aerobics instructor, a dancer or play professional sports, that is true. But for most people, walking around some at work, maybe lifting a few boxes, isn’t really exercise. Then there is a large group of people who complain that they are too tired to exercise. If you complain of tiredness every day, then you probably aren’t getting enough sleep or you need a check up to rule out some underlying health problem that is causing you to be overly tired. Other non-exercisers say they don’t like to exercise or they don’t have the time. Well my answer is that they surely won’t like being sick or incapable of participating in life.

I’m not saying you to have to jump right in and train like an Olympic athlete. I am encouraging you to get off your butt and get moving before it’s too late. Make a tiny baby step: walk three times a week for 10 minutes. Just make it a brisk walk like you need to get somewhere, not a stroll through the mall window shopping like you have all day. Just start with that, make it a priority and see how you feel after a month. If you feel it was easier than you thought and you feel better, add 5 minutes or another day, or throw caution to the wind and add both! Work your way up to 30 minutes, 3 days a week or 15 minutes on 5 days. It will make a difference, I promise. Add a few light stretches and your body will thank you.

People who exercise live longer, better lives. They have less problems with heart disease, high blood pressure and are less likely to develop Alzheimer’s. They have a more positive outlook on life - they feel happier and less tired. They have less problems with their weight.

No excuses! I passed an elderly man this morning, neatly dressed, hat on head, walking down the road with a rolling walker. Obviously this is his normal routine and he doesn’t let anything slow him down. So what’s your problem?

Until next week, Lisa