Alice RD
What if you could do one simple thing today to boost your energy, your mood and your chances of growing older without chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes, cancer or heart disease? You’d do it, right?
In this week’s edition of Cancer Research Update you can read about a study showing that becoming more physically active in middle age can help reduce your risk for getting chronic diseases as you age. And even if you do eventually develop these diseases, being active can delay their onset, buying you extra years of good health.
The researchers found that the most fit folks had the least risk for chronic diseases, including colon cancer. What’s more, the biggest drop in cancer risk occurred among sedentary people who made a modest but crucial change, moving from couch potato to slightly active. That’s right — if you’re currently inactive, just doing a bit more than you’re doing now provides big benefits. In the study, this was true regardless of a subject’s weight.
Get Started Now!
- Today, get up off the couch or stand at the computer screen and spend 10 minutes doing calisthenics or stretching while you watch TV or read your email.
- Tomorrow, do it twice. Then keep it up every day and start adding more and different activities.
- Work up to at least 30 minutes nearly every day and you’ve improved your health.
The more we learn about keeping our bodies active, the more it seems that physical activity acts like a medicine. In fact, some doctors are writing exercise prescriptions for their patients. You don’t need a prescription, but if you are having trouble getting started, or have a health concern talk with your doctor or health care provider.
We’ve got some great videos and information for helping you get up, get active and feel better today.
Exercise for Breast Cancer Survivors
