Talkin' 'Bout a Resolution
It's that time again - time for resolutions and proclamations about how we're going to change our lives for the better in the new year. If you're like me, you make a long list sometime at the end of December - and abandon half of them before you turn the calendar to February.
But I'm here to encourage you to make just one resolution this year - and stick with it for the rest of your life. There's one thing you can do for yourself this year that will make all aspects of your life better: start - and keep - exercising.
Hey, I know this isn't news - you know you should exercise. But despite all the talk, I think many people still misunderstand the specifics.
For instance, many people think that you have to go at it whole hog to make a difference. When I say exercise, they image sweating at a gym for hours on end, or training for a marathon. "I can't do that," they think, so they quit before they ever begin.
But lots of things can count as exercise: dancing, swimming, bike riding, even doing your regular household chores. Walking is one of the best forms of exercise, and it's accessible to just about everyone. The goal is simply to get up and move more - however you chose to do it.
And here's a little secret: research shows that those marathon runners may actually be doing themselves a disservice. Intense exercise can actually depress the immune system and make you more susceptible to disease, including some forms of cancer. So just by walking around the block a few times a week, you may actually be healthier!
I also hear people say that they don't have to exercise because they're not overweight. Sure, exercise is one of the best ways to lose and maintain weight. But even if you're one of those lucky people who can easily maintain a healthy weight without regular exercise, you should still do it.
Why? Because exercise can help address just about any physical or emotional issue you're dealing with. It keeps your heart healthy and strong. It can improve everything from your sleep quality to your mood to your libido. And reams of research have shown how regular exercise reduces your risk of just about every type of disease, from diabetes to cancer to heart disease. Recent studies have even shown that as little as one hour a week of exercise helps cancer patients recuperate from treatment, and prevent recurrence of their disease.
Others think they're too old to start exercising, after decades of being couch potatoes. But exercise is even more important for older people - for all the reasons I outlined above, plus a few more. Studies have shown that regular exercise can help prevent most of the diseases of aging, like cognitive decline, Alzheimer's, and macular degeneration. You may fear that exercise will put you at risk for falling and breaking a hip - but actually, it's quite the opposite. Maintaining muscle strength, balance and flexibility are the best ways to prevent hip fractures - by preventing a fall in the first place. Regular exercise is the best way to do all three.
So no matter what your age, no matter what your health status, no matter what your goals, you can - and will - benefit from exercise. And this one healthy habit has a way of rubbing off on other aspects of your life - people often begin eating better and give up unhealthy habits like smoking once they get into exercising. If you can commit to just one resolution this year, make it this one - if you're successful, you may find that many of the others fall into place. And remember, the best exercise is the exercise you'll do!
