Exercise should be the first step in reaching your goal of optimum health! Regular physical exercise has many important benefits. First of all it promotes cardiovascular fitness by strengthening your heart and circulatory system. A strong healthy heart helps lower cholesterol and blood pressure. These factors help reduce your risk of heart disease.

BENEFITS OF EXERCISING

• Strengthens your muscles
• Increases your flexibility
• Gives you more energy
• Helps control weight gain
• Helps increase mental alertness

Physical activity helps build and maintain strong bones. Women that are more active and exercise have stronger bones than women who do not exercise. As women age, this is an important issue due to the weakening of bones through osteoporosis. Regular exercise can also decrease the risk of colon cancer.

TYPES OF EXERCISE

• Aerobic Exercise
  Causes your heart and lungs to work harder and builds fitness. This type of exercise increases your body’s ability to use oxygen. Types of aerobic exercise include walking, jogging, swimming, and dancing.
• Resistance Training
  Builds muscles and slows bone loss. It strengthens muscles by exerting force on them. Resistance training includes weight lifting, leg lifts, and squats. Stretching exercises are also good for your body to increase balance and flexibility.

If it has been a while since you have exercised, you must take it slow when you decide to get back into the routine. Begin with 5 to 10 minutes a day and build up to 30 to 45 minutes, five days a week.

There are numerous videos and books on the market that are available for the beginner or the advanced participant.