| Exercise as part of an active lifestyle plays an | | | | times a week is recommended. However, prior to |
| important part in overall wellness. Wellness is a | | | | beginning any exercise plan individuals should |
| state of good physical and emotional health | | | | consult with their physician to discuss the |
| maximized by a balanced diet, active lifestyle and | | | | frequency and intensity of activity their exercise |
| healthy habits. We all know that exercise is great | | | | regimen should include. |
| for the physical body, but it also provides | | | | In addition to aerobic activity, most adults should |
| emotional and mental benefits as well. | | | | participate in strength training exercises at least 2 |
| Routine physical activity provides numerous | | | | days per week. Each of the major muscle groups |
| physical benefits. Exercise, paired with a sensible | | | | should be included in these activities to strengthen |
| and nutritious diet, has been shown to be a | | | | the body. Using each muscle group increases |
| catalyst to weight loss and proper weight | | | | muscle strength throughout the body, increasing |
| maintenance. In addition, physical activity can have | | | | the body as a whole. Strength training exercises |
| a positive impact on systemic conditions of the | | | | include weight lifting, yoga and resistance band |
| body that are often associated with inactivity or | | | | routines. Including weight training in exercise |
| obesity including coronary artery disease, diabetes, | | | | programs has a positive impact on overall |
| high blood pressure and much more. | | | | wellness. |
| Individuals should include both aerobic activity and | | | | Routine physical exercise improves the physical |
| strength training to optimize their exercise | | | | body, which in turn has a positive mental effect |
| programs or regimens. The American Heart | | | | on the body. Self-esteem often increases as the |
| Association suggests aerobic activities are | | | | body's physical condition improves. Many studies |
| designed to get your heart beating at 50-85% of | | | | also suggest that exercise reduces anxiety and |
| your maximum heart rate. Aerobic, or cardiac, | | | | stress often associated with mild to moderate |
| activities strengthen the heart and lungs while | | | | depression. Endorphins, a hormone with analgesic |
| improving individual fitness levels. Individuals | | | | properties, are released during exercise. Simply |
| decrease their risk for heart disease and/or | | | | put, those who exercise are more likely to feel |
| stroke while improving their cardiac health and | | | | better because they are taking better care of |
| overall wellness. Examples of aerobic (cardiac) | | | | themselves. Since it has such a positive impact on |
| exercise include brisk walking, dancing, calisthenics, | | | | the body and the mind, exercise is crucial to |
| bike riding, skiing and swimming. For most healthy | | | | individual overall wellness. |
| adults, 30 minutes of aerobic exercise several | | | | |