It Can Be Fun To Be Fit Why Exercise? Regular exercise is important to everyone. Yes, you have probably heard that a million times, but have you thought what this actually means in terms of your own health? It is now widely accepted that prevention is better than cure. In recent years we have seen an increasing popularity in GP referral schemes. This is where doctors work together with local leisure centres and health clubs to plan specific programmes of regular exercise for individual patients to help deal with ailments such as heart disease and osteoporosis. These schemes have proved very successful, but why wait until you have a medical need? Exercise not only rehabilitates, but contributes greatly to reducing the risk of a wide range of medical problems. What Exercise Can Do For You Lower blood pressure levels Reduce the risk of heart disease Improve cholesterol levels Lessen the risk of osteoporosis Control asthma Control adult-onset diabetes Promote weight loss Manage stress Delay breathlessness Reduce postural problems Improve strength, agility, balance and flexibility Improve your sense of well-being Different types of exercise can help specific problems. For example, regular and repetitive weight-bearing exercise such as fitness walking can prove extremely beneficial for pre-menopausal women in that it reduces their risk of suffering osteoporosis in later life. Regular aerobic exercise can improve the working of the cardio-respiratory system (heart and lungs). Everyone can benefit from regular exercise taken at a moderate level, and while we don’t all have to become Olympic athletes, we ought to be aware of the dangers of inadequate exercise and diet. What Type Of Exercise? Depending on your age, condition and interests, anything from a work-out in the gym to swimming, cycling, walking or even dancing can provide significant benefits. As a general guide, you should do sufficient exercise to cause mild breathlessness and raise the pulse rate for 20 minutes at least three times a week. If you are in doubt, arrange an appointment with the practice nurse who can assess your general condition and discuss the most appropriate forms of exercise for you. Above all, exercise should be fun! Try to choose a form of exercise that both fits into your lifestyle and provides the healthy benefits you are looking for. Remember too, exercise is often very sociable, giving you the opportunity to make new friends and develop new interests.