| Modern life is a surprisingly sedentary thing, as | | | | quality of life they bring. |
| much as we talk about fitness. We sit at desks | | | | First Step to a Healthier Life |
| crouched over our computers, sit behind a | | | | No matter what your current situation or physical |
| steering wheel battling traffic, or have a cell phone | | | | condition, the first step to beginning or changing a |
| at our ear most of our waking time. In our | | | | fitness plan is a visit to your doctor. |
| increasingly sedentary world, health and fitness | | | | * If your doctor suspects possible heart |
| too often take a back seat. | | | | problems, he/she may order a stress test to find |
| Yet physical fitness and regular exercise are the | | | | out what level of exercise is safe for you. |
| easiest way to control blood glucose levels, | | | | * Your doctor will be able to help you identify the |
| reduce the risks of heart problems, and improve | | | | best and worst type of exercises for you, |
| the overall quality of life for all of us. In truth, | | | | particularly if he/she diagnoses a specific condition. |
| everyone should be physically active. | | | | Weight lifting, jogging, or aerobics may not be |
| A recent survey showed that only 30% of US | | | | appropriate for people at risk for diabetic |
| adults get the recommended half-hour of daily | | | | retinopathy because they could damage blood |
| exercise. What's worse, a quarter of adults in the | | | | vessels and lead to retinal detachment. Some |
| United States are not active at all! | | | | experts think that people with severe peripheral |
| Scientists believe that inactivity is a key reason | | | | neuropathy (or PN) should not engage in intensive |
| why we're seeing a sharp increase in the | | | | weight-bearing activities like jobbing, aerobics, and |
| occurrence of type 2 diabetes in the US. Inactivity | | | | long-distance walking. So, your doctor may |
| compromises fitness, promotes obesity, and | | | | recommend a lower-impact exercise for you like |
| obesity promotes a resistance to insulin and other | | | | swimming, rowing, or biking. |
| biological processes that prevent disease. A 2003 | | | | * After a complete exam, your doctor may want |
| Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism | | | | to refer you to an exercise physiologist who has |
| contained the results of a study that found that | | | | the training to design a custom physical fitness |
| lack of exercise and poor physical fitness were | | | | program for you. |
| key causes of obesity and serious illnesses like | | | | * Even if you're already an active person who |
| diabetes. | | | | gets regular exercise, a visit to your doctor to |
| But never fear. It's never too late to begin to live | | | | discuss possible changes or improvements in your |
| a healthier life. Physical fitness doesn't have to be | | | | fitness program would be a good idea. Consulting |
| an extreme work out. Anyone can increase their | | | | your physician can help avoid serious problems |
| daily amount of physical activity. Exercise helps | | | | and injuries, particularly as we age. |
| control the onset of many different, and some | | | | Exercise and physical fitness doesn't have to be a |
| very serious, diseases. | | | | chore or a bore, but a daily exercise routine is |
| People with early signs of illnesses like heart failure | | | | essential for good health. You can keep it as |
| and diabetes most need physical exercise and | | | | simple as taking a brisk walk after dinner, walking |
| fitness programs to improve their health and | | | | the dog twice a day, or choosing the stairs over |
| prevent life-threatening problems that will cost | | | | the elevator. What's important is that you avoid |
| time, money, and happiness if not addressed. | | | | being a sedentary disease-magnet and become an |
| Physical fitness is a sure way to improve insulin | | | | active, vital adult. Even the smallest efforts are |
| sensitivity, lower the risk of heart disease, and | | | | progress, and you can make a lot more progress |
| promote weight loss. | | | | than you realize by thinking about what you're |
| It ought to be clear by now that we all need to | | | | doing and how it will affect your health in the long |
| stay physically fit, active, and generally healthy if | | | | run. |
| we want to prevent such illnesses and the lower | | | | |