Personal Fitness-Fitnees

Posted on September 18, 2008 by richard

Physical Fitness Through Exercise

More than 30 years ago, the President’s Council on Physical Fitness was created because of concerns about the low fitness levels of American children Participation in regular fitness activity gradually increased during the 1970s and 1980s, but has leveled off in recent years. Research indicates that your physical activity level as a child is a good predictor of your physical activity level as an adult. But if you weren’t active in your childhood or adolescence, don’t despair. College is an excellent place to make a break with the past and develop exercise habits that can increase both the quality and duration of your life. Especially when combined with a healthy diet, regular physical activity combats obesity and reduces your risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and colon cancer. Regular physical activity improves more than 50 different physiological, metabolic, and psychological aspects of human life- which is why more and more Americans are getting serious about exercising.

What Do You Think?

To this point, Shawn hadn’t been very physically active throughout his life. While in high school he didn’t enjoy the physical education classes because he didn’t have the fitness level needed for most of the competitive activities like basketball and soccer. Now 20 years old and a sophomore in college, Shawn typically drives his car to campus rather than walking the six blocks from his apartment. Shawn’s idea of a complete meal is a large pepperoni pizza delivered to his door, and washed down with a large soda. To relax, he’ll play one of the many computer games he owns. Recently Shawn saw a TV show that described the adverse health effects of the sedentary lifestyle-obesity, high blood pressure, increased risk of heart disease, and colon cancer He realized that he has made some poor choices and was determined to no longer be a couch potato.

Now that Shawn is ready to live a more active lifestyle, how should he begin? After years of not exercising, with what types of exercises should he begin? Should Shawn see his family physician before he starts his exercise program? How long will he need to continue a physical activity program before he notices the positive effects of regular exercise?

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