Whether Walking, Riding or Swimming, We Need Exercise
By Stephen R. Farris
We work our bodies and we rest our bodies. Sometimes we don't work them near enough and lean more to the restful part. Too much restfulness leads to inactivity and that's not good on our bodies. Maybe we decide to rest more than we should due to the kind of work we do, or it could have something to do with being under a lot of stress or depression.
There could also be underlying medical conditions that we are not aware of. If that's the case, then you might need to get that checked into. However, under normal circumstances, we all need to exercise more in order to maintain our health and well-being.
There are plenty of exercise routines that you can start with, from beginner to expert, depending on how fit you are. Let's face it, you don't want to jump right into rock climbing that butte in the Grand Canyon if you've never climbed more than the steps of your kitchen ladder to reach that box of cereal. You have to start off easy and work your way up.
Walking
Walking is one of the easiest forms of exercise one can begin with. The object is to walk at a brisk pace in order to get the heart rate up a little and air into the lungs. A new trend these days is Nordic walking, where you use poles to walk with. According to research, copying this form of Nordic skiing actually helps you use different muscles in the body, therefore burning more calories.
Swimming
Maybe being in the water is your thing. If so, then find a facility that has a pool (indoors or out) and start by swimming a few laps, gradually increasing you laps and the time you spend in the pool in order to burn more calories. Plus, you use slightly different muscle groups.
Cycling
Out on the road, in fresh air and wide open spaces, nothing could be more relaxing than a bike ride. If you live in the city, it might not be as such, but a lot of municipalities have bike paths for cyclists. Cycling does your core good and works the muscles in your legs, plus there's not the wear and tear on your body versus running on hard concrete or pavement.
The bottom line is that we all need to do some form of exercise on a regular basis. Combine it with a balanced nutrition plan and it's a win-win situation not only for you, but for the overall health of your body as well.
To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Sugar Hill, Ga.