Alamo Heights Chiropractor Reveals One Critical Exercise Tip for Improving Health in the New Year

With the passing of another New Year celebration, many of us have set fitness goals and wellness resolutions. However, maybe you are new to exercise or haven’t exercised in a while and you want to get back into it and you don’t know where to start.

By the numbers:

  • During the last 15 years, most Americans have not exercised enough to make a positive impact on their health.
  • 25% of Americans engage in no physical activity whatsoever outside of their job requirements!
  • About 60% of Americans engage in exercise or sports on a sporadic basis with no net improvement in health status!
  • Almost 68% of the American populations is either obese or overweight!

So, where do you start?

The fitness industry is a multibillion-dollar industry and there is more information than ever available at our fingertips. I would even say, there is an information overload that may even push people away from starting an exercise program.

The Good News…

The good news is that studies show “moving with purpose” 30 minutes a day, at least 5 days a week, at a moderate intensity level will improve your health.

What is moving with purpose? It’s any activity that increases your heart rate enough that you begin to sweat and breath heavier but where you can still carry on a conversation. While it is typically more beneficial, the physical activity does not have to be structured or planned exercise activities. Activities like mowing the lawn, walking to the store or even washing the car can all fit the bill of moderate physical activity. It all depends on the current fitness level you are at when doing them. For some, washing the car is a workout. For others it would not get the heart rate up enough.

The best part is that bouts of exercise or activity doesn’t even have to be continuous! So long as you achieve a total of 30 minutes a day, feel free to split up your bouts of activity to accommodate your schedule. The goal is to get moving and break up periods of prolonged inactivity or sedentary behavior.

Walking and Jogging:

If you’re looking for a convenient, highly accessible and low-cost form of physical activity, then I would suggest you consider walking or jogging. Fast walking is great for beginners or people looking to change their lifestyle from one that is sedentary to being more active. Jogging is more high impact and is better for those who have been fast walking for a few months already. Either way, walking and jogging both produce health benefits and increase fitness.

A benefit to developing a new habit of movement through walking or jogging is that it can be done alone or in a group. Walking/jogging alone gives one time for self-reflection and walking/jogging in a group is a great way to socialize. Whatever path you choose for moving with a purpose, just be consistent until it becomes a habit and then continue just never stop – never look back!