It is important to exercise for at least 150 minutes per week – preferably for an hour a day!
As we become more tied to our desks, chairs and lounges, and spend more time using computers, our physical activity is reducing.
We can develop the office workers body:
- hunched shoulders
- no muscle mass
- a “greyed out” appearance with no sun exposure
One hundred years ago our physical activity was equivalent to walking 12 kms a day more than we do now. No wonder Diabetes is increasing!
A recent article in the Lancet (July 2012) showed that GLOBALLY physical inactivity increased your chances of:
- Heart attack by 16%
- Type 2 Diabetes by 20 %
- Breast cancer by 33%
- Colon cancer by 32%
- ‘all causes’ of death by 14%
Lack of physical activity causes almost 10% of premature deaths
So what do you get out of exercising so much, in addition to reduced risk of the above?
1. A better body!
2. A better brain – reduced dementia risk
3. Better bone strength
4. Better state of mind
5. Improved coordination and fewer falls
6. Better overall functional health – you will be PHYSIOLOGICALLY YOUNGER than your stated years!
Written by Dr John Cummins on the 12 October 2012.
