How can physical activity improve my health?
An active lifestyle can help every woman. Being physically active can provide these benefits:
>reduces your risk of dying from heart disease or stroke
>lowers your risk of getting heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, colon cancer, and diabetes
>lowers high blood pressure
>helps keep your bones, muscles, and joints healthy
>reduces anxiety and depression and improves your mood
>helps you handle stress
>helps control your weight
>protects against falling and bone fractures in older adults
>may help protect against breast cancer
>helps control joint swelling and pain from arthritis
>gives you more energy
>helps you sleep better
>helps you look better
Physical activity also is an important part of weight loss treatment. If you are overweight or obese, losing weight can lower your risk for many diseases. A growing number of women are overweight or obese. Being overweight or obese increases your risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, breathing problems, arthritis, gallbladder disease, sleep apnea (breathing problems while sleeping), osteoarthritis, and some cancers. Obesity is measured with a body mass index (BMI). BMI shows the relationship of weight to height.
Women with a BMI of 25 to 29.9 are considered overweight, whereas women with a BMI of 30 or more are considered obese. All adults (aged 18 years or older) who have a BMI of 25 or more are considered at risk for premature death and disability from being overweight or obese. These health risks increase as the BMI rises. Your health care provider can help you figure out your body mass, or you can go to www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/bmi/calc-bmi.htm.
Not only are health care providers concerned about how much fat a person has, but also where the fat is located on the body. Women with a "pear" shape tend to store fat in their hips and buttocks. Women with an "apple" shape store fat around their waists. For most women, carrying extra weight around their waists or middle (with a waist larger than 35 inches) raises health risks (like heart disease, diabetes, or cancer) more than carrying extra weight around their hips or thighs
How much physical activity should I do?
Engage in regular physical activity and reduce sedentary activities to promote health, psychological well-being, and a healthy body weight. To lower the risk of chronic disease, get at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity, above usual activity, at work or home on most days of the week. Most people can get greater health benefits by engaging in physical activity of more vigorous intensity or longer duration. To help manage body weight and prevent gradual, unhealthy body weight gain, get about 60 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity activity on most days of the week, while not exceeding caloric intake requirements. To keep weight loss off, get at least 60 to 90 minutes of daily moderate-intensity physical activity while not exceeding caloric intake requirements. Some people may need to consult with their doctor before participating in this level of activity. Achieve physical fitness by including cardiovascular conditioning, stretching exercises for flexibility, and resistance exercises or calisthenics for muscle strength and endurance.
How can I prevent injuries when I exercise?
If you're not active at all or have a medical problem, start your program with short sessions (5 to 10 minutes) of physical activity and build up to your goal. Before you start your activity, be sure to warm up for 5 to 10 minutes. Use the right equipment-whether it's walking shoes, running shoes, or knee pads-make sure it's in good condition and right for your skill level. Drink water before, during, and after exercise. At the end of your physical activity, cool down by decreasing the intensity of your activity so your heartbeat is normal. Be sure to stretch. If your chest feels tight or painful, or you feel faint or have trouble breathing at any time, stop the activity right away and talk to your health care provider.
I am a larger woman. Can I be physically active?
Very large people face special challenges trying to be active. You may not be able to bend or move in the same way that other people can. It may be hard to find clothes and equipment for exercising. You may feel self-conscious being active around other people. Facing these challenges is hard, but it can be done! The Weight Control Information Network says that non-weight-bearing activities, like swimming or water workouts, put less stress on your joints because you don't have to lift or push your own weight. If your feet or joints hurt when you stand, non-weight-bearing activities may be best for you. If you can't do an activity, don't be hard on yourself. Be proud of pushing yourself up out of a chair or walking a short distance. Pat yourself on the back for trying even if you can't do it the first time. It may be easier the next time-so try again! Remember to appreciate what you can do, even if you think it's a small amount. Just moving any part of your body-even for a short time-can make you healthier.
Can I stay active if I have a disability?
One of the best things you can do for your health is to find an activity that gets your body moving and stick with it. You may be limited by a disability. This disability may make it harder, but it doesn't need to stop you from staying active. In most cases, people with disabilities can improve their heart, lungs, muscles, and bones-in addition to flexibility, mobility, and coordination-by becoming physically active. Talk to your health care provider about your personal needs.
Hydraulic fitness is a great alternative which meets the guidelines of all of the preceding questions in the above article. Safe, easily mastered while progressing to new levels without plateauing (only on adjustable circuits), easy on the joints, helps you get previous injuries or health problems under control, and much more. Personalized goals such as weight management, weight loss, endurance, training for better performance in another sport, cardio training, and giving you more energy to handle the stress of everyday life can be achieved.
Look into hydraulic fitness at a gym near you and feel the difference exercise makes.
