Don't Let Fitness Become an Exercise in Futility
Dave Demko
AgeVenture News Service
Okay, health nuts. Grab a pencil and write this down. It's the health tip of the decade, A little sugar makes the medicine go down. No, I don't mean that literally. What I do mean is, no matter how beneficial a health regimen might be, we spoiled Americans won't do it unless it tastes, feels, or looks good. Diet? Forget it. The food's gotta taste good or we become a diet dropout. Fitness? Can't be just an exercise routine. It's got to consist of enjoyable activities or the whole regimen is an exercise in futility. That seems to be the message Kansas State University professor, David Dzewaltowski is stressing to the millions of Americans who over-dosed on holiday chow and now want to get ship-shape again. Only problem is, those trying to get ship-shape are still the size of ... well ... a battleship. If you're frustrated by too many ill-fated fitness attempts, you just might want to give a listen to what this KSU professor has to say.
When starting a new fitness program this year, says Dzewaltowski, a professor of kinesiology, you have to think "physical activity" as opposed to "exercise". The professor's right on the money. When I think of the word "exercise" it conjures up images of pumping iron in a sweaty gym next to hairy guys named Bubba. Not exactly my idea of FUN. "I like to give people the term 'physical activity' to talk about or think about when making a New Year's resolution," Dzewaltowski says. "It puts the focus on increasing activity throughout the day rather than limiting yourself to thinking structured exercise." Dzewaltowski makes a good point. Many fitness success stories are those in which people have "incorporated" higher levels of activity into their daily routine, so exercise becomes a way of life rather than a compartmentalized activity.
The goal is to accumulate 30 minutes of exercise each day, says the KSU professor. This could mean taking three 10-minute walks per day, shoveling the driveway or working around the house, says Dzewaltowski. Sounds good to me, but I'd think twice about shoveling the driveway if you live in a place like Florida or Arizona. "Most people set a goal that's way too difficult," Dzewaltowski says. "It's not really how hard you exercise that is the key to achieving some of the things people want from exercise -- like improved health or weight loss. The key is really sticking with exercise."
Some immediate health benefits of regular exercise include reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, some cancers, as well as relief from anxiety and depression. Long term, Dzewaltowski believes that exercise will help improve the quality of your life. It even helps prepare you for an active retirement so you can enjoy those golden years to the fullest. Too many retirees find they can't maintain an active lifestyle because "they haven't maintained their health well enough to perform those daily living activities."
David Demko reports on lifestyle issues and trends in Aging America.
Submit reader comments to:
demko@demko.com
This column may be used, free-of-charge, by print and broadcast media with the following attribution:"David Demko, AgeVenture News Service, Boca Raton, FL"
AgeVenture News Service, 21946 Pine Trace, Boca Raton, FL 33428 USA
Dr. David Demko, Editor
Voice-mail: 561-482-6271. E-mail: demko@demko.com