March 31, 2004

By: Maxwell Stone
Website: http://www.1st-in-fitness.com

This year, make a fitness resolution you can keep

The State Department of Health is encouraging Washington residents to make realistic New Year’s resolutions related to physical activity this year.

"Each year, memberships in health clubs soar in January and February," said Dr. Maxine Hayes, acting state health officer. "By spring, enrollment goes down when people get frustrated that they can’t keep to a serious exercise routine. This year, we want to help people make physical activity resolutions they can keep."

Hayes says that by engaging in moderate exercise for 30 minutes each day, a person can reduce the risk of developing or dying from several diseases including heart disease, colon cancer, and diabetes. "Moderate physical activity can also help lower high blood pressure, fight high cholesterol, control weight, and reduce feelings of depression and anxiety," she said. "Plus, people who are physically active feel better, look better, and live longer."

"I think people get discouraged because they make physical activity goals they can’t keep," said Charlotte Claybrooke, physical activity coordinator. "If you haven’t been active for awhile, simply walking to work or taking the stairs can be a good place to start. The key is to get into a routine you can handle and stick to it."

According to a recent report by the Surgeon General, 60 percent of adults nationwide do not achieve the recommended amount of regular physical activity, and 25 percent of adults are not active at all.

The Surgeon General recommends getting at least 30 minutes a day of moderate physical activity, that makes you feel like you do when you take a brisk walk, for at least 5 days a week. Although 30 continuous minutes is best, three 10-minute segments also work and are a good way to get started.

"When people think of physical activity they think of long hours in gyms," Hayes said. "For some people, that’s what their body needs. But we want people to realize that things like dancing and gardening also are good ways to improve your health."

To help people find ways to incorporate physical activity in to their daily lives the department offers examples of moderate physical activity:

• Brisk walking
• Mopping the floor
• Washing windows
• Mall walking
• Swimming
• Bicycling
• Raking leaves
• Chopping wood
• Walking to work
• Walking to do errands (buy groceries, etc)
• Taking the stairs
• Pushing yourself in wheelchair
• Walking with a walker
• Yoga

Poor diet and lack of exercise is the second biggest contributor to Washington deaths, next to tobacco.

Author Notes:

Maxwell Stone contributes and publishes news editorial to http://www.1st-in-fitness.com.  A source of information and helpful tips on various types of fitness equipment.