Gaining Health when You Think It's Too Late

Everyone wants to look good and feel good. We all want to live long and prosper. Fortunately, there are a whole lot of things we can do to up our chances of both. By being pro-active and taking positive, measurable steps to safeguard your health, you can increase your chances of having a long, healthy, happy life. The benefits of regular physical activity and good eating habits are documented and achievable. The best thing is, you can start any time. It's never too late to take an active part in improving your life, and no beginning is too small.

People today have become far too dependent on using machines rather than doing work ourselves or even using the power of our own legs to move from one place to another. For this reason, many, many people are woefully out of shape. If you have allowed yourself to lose health, it is very important that you begin take mindful steps to include physical activity in each and every day. Every step you take on your own is a step that adds to your physical health and well being.

Don't let official statistics scare you. Many people see the reports that obesity and it's complications - diabetes, high-blood pressure, and so on - are increasing every day and they feel helpless to do anything about it. The fact is that your power to change the tide is also statistically documented. Your small, incremental steps toward good health and fitness pay off with a big return of health. So before a doctor terrifies you with an ultimatum, take matters into your own hands. Make mindful choices about what you do and what you eat, and set your feet firmly on the path to good health.

The great thing about exercise is that anyone can do it! That's the absolute truth. No matter who you are or what your level of health, you can ramp it up a notch and reap the benefits of a fitness program. Even if you use a wheel chair or haven't been out of bed in ages due to your health, you can add some simple range-of-motion exercises. These can be done assisted or on your own - as you need. If you practice your exercises with consistency, you will see a difference in the way you feel and the way you are able to move in a month to six weeks. Once you have successfully taken one step, you are just primed to take another.

Every little bit counts, and adding even a little bit of exercise to your day can bring you all kinds of benefits. These include greater efficiency of your heart and lungs and more muscle strength. You will find that your cholesterol levels will lower, and so will your blood pressure. You may even lose a little weight, even with a very modest exercise program. Even though you won't be able to see it right away, you will have the knowledge that every little bit of exercise you add to your day reduces your risks of major illnesses like heart disease and diabetes.

Doing a simple set of range-of-motion exercises or some light stretching every day will increase your sense of well being. You will find yourself thinking more and differently while you are exercising and throughout the day due to increased blood flow and an increased feeling of having some power and effectiveness in the world. You may feel tired when you first begin your exercise program, but soon you will find your energy level rising. Before you know it, you will be looking forward to exercising. When you go to bed at night, you will find yourself sleeping better - especially if you can work in a little light stretching just before bedtime. You will find yourself less stressed throughout your day, and when something stressful does happen, you will find that you are better able to cope with it.

Be sure to take some before and after pictures. Document your progress as you add exercise to your daily life. You are sure to notice an improvement to your appearance as you give yourself the gift of health. Your posture may improve, your muscles will tone, and if you need to lose weight, you will lose it. If you need to gain weight, you will gain it. That is the wonderful thing about taking good care of yourself. When you do, any problems you have had will begin to correct themselves. That's how the body responds to good care.

As you begin to look better and feel better and experience success, you will feel better about your self. When you exercise, you have a new hobby. It gives you something to talk about and broadens the circle of people you can socialize with. When you are able to do more, you will be able to do more with your family and your friends. You will also just have a lot more energy to participate in family events and social activities, so you will enjoy your social life more.

As you add little bits of exercise to your daily life, you will begin to find yourself wanting to exercise a little bit more at the end of your workout. Your strength will improve, and so will your stamina. You may also find that you are not catching colds as much and are not quite so accident prone. Your reflexes will sharpen. When you start a task, you will find yourself finishing it more quickly and easily. All this is because you are giving your self the gift of health. You are becoming a stronger person.

You may have read and heard that you have to do thirty minutes of brisk exercise at least three times a week in order for it to do you any good. Well, guess what? That is just not true. It is certainly optimum and a good idea, but the fact is that any exercise you do is 100% more than nothing. If you are really out of shape, ten minutes of stretching and range-of-motion twice a day may be all you can stand. Start where you are. Gradually build up to a thirty minute daily total! It does not have to be all at once. Do five to ten minutes of range-of-motion in the morning before you get out of bed. Do five to ten minutes of stretching or before lunch. Do five to ten minutes of very light yoga just before you go to sleep. That is enough to start out with if you are in very poor shape. Believe me, within a month, you will see and feel the differences we have discussed.

As you grow stronger, maintain your light exercise program and begin adding little extras to every day life. Choose to use the stairs whenever you can if you can safely do so. Park your car a little further away and walk briskly to your destination. Be sure to take frequent breaks during your day to stand up, walk around, and stretch. If you ride a bus or take a taxi, get out at least a block before your destination and walk the rest of the way. Do your own yard work. Dance and sing and play games with your pets, your kids, and your grandchildren.

As you see yourself begin to blossom and grow and find yourself feeling stronger and stronger day by day, start setting your self a few fitness goals. Realize that fitness is something you will want to embrace for the rest of your life, so you don't have to do it all at once! Your goals can be as small and as simple as adding five more minutes to your current routine or perhaps adding a set of light weights to your stretching. Remember that every little addition is an investment in your health!

The things we have talked about so far, light stretching, range-of-motion, light yoga and just perking up your daily life should be safe for anyone. When you begin to really feel better and want to add something more vigorous to your program, be sure to check in with your doctor. This is especially true if you have any chronic illnesses or risk factors like severe obesity, smoking, high cholesterol, high blood pressure or diabetes.

Remember that a commitment is a choice you make again and again, so be sure that your choice in exercise programs is one that you will want to choose again and again. Don't choose something you hate that is going to be hard for you and a hassle to fit into your life. Be sure to set yourself goals that are just ahead of where you are now. Keep them achievable and give yourself a chance to have success after success! If you miss a day or are not able to finish one day, don't beat your self up over it. Just start in fresh the next day. Remember, you have the rest of your life to enjoy your improved health! Remember that time to rest and recover is also an important part of your fitness plan!

Understand that time to rest and recover is also an important part of your fitness plan! If exercising ever makes you feel bad, know that maybe you are doing too much. Take it down a notch or two and give your body time to adjust. If you have ongoing problems with shortness of breath or a feeling of extreme weakness, be sure to see your doctor.

As you become more and more fit, you will want to add variety to your workouts. Add a few short exercise videos, swimming, maybe an occasional water aerobics class, walks outside, golf, bicycling. There is a vast array of fun and active ways to gain health.

Enjoy!