You may be wondering how a sedentary lifestyle affects your health. You burn fewer calories while you’re inactive, so you’re more prone to put on weight. If you aren’t working your muscles, you risk losing strength and stamina. Weakened bones are a possibility. Fat and sugar metabolism may be altered, and your body may have a more challenging time digesting certain types of foods. Your body’s defenses can be put to the test. Your body may have a higher level of inflammation. Irregularities in your hormones can occur.
Studies show that you have a lot more to gain by being active and a lot to lose by sitting too much. Often, inactivity is more to blame than age when older people lose the ability to do things on their own. Almost anyone, at any age and with most health conditions, can participate in some type of physical activity. In fact, physical activity may help manage some chronic conditions. Exercise and all types of physical movement are not only great for you physically exercise are great for your mental health.
What are the long-term health consequences of a lack of exercise?
Many chronic diseases can be linked to a lack of physical activity in one’s daily routine.
Obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, type 2 diabetes, some malignancies, and osteoporosis are linked to a lack of regular exercise. A sedentary lifestyle can cause premature death. Sedentary people are at greater risk of developing health problems.
Can you provide me with some pointers on how to begin a workout regimen?
If you’ve been sedentary for some time, you may need to ease back into things. You can gradually increase your exercise routine as you see fit. Do your best, but don’t let yourself get overwhelmed. It’s always better to get some exercise than to do nothing at all.
Getting fit can be accomplished in various ways; the key is to discover which ones work best for you.
What can I do around the house to be more active?
Here are a few ideas to get you moving about the house:
- Gardening, landscaping, and yard labor all require physical exertion.
If you want to up the ante, try executing them at a faster tempo. - While you’re watching television, keep moving about.
Use weights, yoga stretches, or an exercise bike to improve your heart rate.
Instead of using the TV remote, get up and change the channels yourself. - Go for a walk.
- Consider putting in a home gym, it can be as easy as buying a few pieces of fitness equipment such as weights and resistance bands, yoga balls, exercise mats, which are less expensive, can help you get a workout in the comfort of your own house.
What is a Moderate Lifestyle?
Physical activity corresponding to 1.5 to 3 miles per day at 3 to 4 miles per hour is considered moderately active.
What is an Active Lifestyle?
More than 3 miles of daily walking at 3 to 4 miles per hour constitutes an “active” lifestyle, as does the light physical exercise part of everyday life.
