Regular exercise can help protect you from heart disease and stroke, high blood pressure, non-insulin-dependent diabetes, obesity, back pain, osteoporosis, and can improve your mood and help you to better manage stress.

For the greatest overall health benefits, experts recommend that you do 30 to 40 minutes of aerobic activity three or more times a week and some type of muscle strengthening activity and stretching at least twice a week. However, if you are unable to do this level of activity, you can gain substantial health benefits by accumulating 30 minutes or more of moderate-intensity physical activity a day, at least five times a week.

If you have been inactive for a while, you may want to start with less strenuous activities such as walking or swimming at a comfortable pace. Beginning at a slow pace will allow you to become physically fit without straining your body. Once you are in better shape, you can gradually do more strenuous activity. If you have serious concerns about beginning a regimen of exercise, consult with your physician before you start.

How Physical Activity Impacts Health

Regular physical activity that is performed on most days of the week reduces the risk of developing or dying from some of the leading causes of illness and death in the United States. Here are just a few of its principle benefits:

• Reduces the risk of dying prematurely
• Reduces the risk of dying prematurely from heart disease
• Reduces the risk of developing diabetes
• Reduces the risk of developing high blood pressure
• Helps reduce blood pressure in people who already have high blood pressure
• Reduces the risk of developing colon cancer
• Reduces feelings of depression and anxiety
• Helps control weight
• Helps build and maintain healthy bones, muscles, and joints
• Helps older adults become stronger and better able to move about without falling
• Promotes psychological well-being

Thanks and a tip of the hat to nutristrategy.com for much of the information in this article.