When it comes to exercise, I think about how to “get” started. But often, starting is not the problem. The big question is, maintaining it. The official Health.gov guidelines say adults should do strength exercises at least two times a week, as well as 150 – 300 minutes of moderate activity, or 75 minutes of vigorous activity, every week.
We now know about more health benefits from physical activity — and how Americans can more easily achieve them. The second edition of the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans with the latest scientific evidence shows that physical activity has many health benefits independent of other healthy behaviors, like proper nutrition.
The first fundamental guideline for adults is to move more and sit less. New evidence shows a strong relationship between increased sedentary behavior and increased risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and all-cause mortality. All physical activity, especially moderate-to-vigorous activity, can help offset these risks.
We all know we should be doing more, but how do we keep moving when our motivation slips, the weather takes a turn for the worse, or life gets in the way? Try these 18 guidelines to keep you going.