Exercise Program (4pg)

Exercise Program

Heart Fitness with Dr. First Last

A Regular Exercise Program Is A Smart Way To Improve Your Heart’s Health

Couch potatoes beware!

An inactive lifestyle is one of the top contributing factors for increasing your risk for heart disease. If you’re serious about having a healthy heart, then starting a regular exercise program is one of the smartest moves you can make. The benefits are many. Regular exercise, especially aerobic exercise, will strengthen your heart, improve your circulation, increase your energy level, lower your blood pressure, improve your muscle tone, and help you lose weight. On the whole, you’ll sleep better, feel more relaxed, look fit and have less stress in your life. What are you waiting for!

Of course, before starting an exercise program, you should consult with your physician and receive his or her approval.

Aerobic exercise is the best form of exercise to improve the health of your heart. Any activity that increases your heart rate is aerobic exercise: walking, jogging, water aerobics, cycling, or jumping rope. These physical activities require the heart and lungs to work harder to meet the body’s increased demand for oxygen. An aerobic exercise session should last from 20 to 30 minutes and occur three or four times a week. It can be as simple as taking a brisk walk around your neighborhood.

Every exercise session should start with a warm-up. Before and after you exercise, you should stretch your arms and legs to increase your range of motion and help prevent injury. Begin the session by slowly increasing the intensity of your activity and end the session with a cool-down period by decreasing the level of intensity.

The most important part of any exercise program is sticking with it. Making a resolution will only carry you so far. You need to choose an activity that you enjoy. Have fun! Make your exercise schedule part of your daily routine so that it becomes part of your lifestyle. Try different forms of exercise so you don’t get bored. If you’re tired of walking, try a bike ride or take a water-aerobics class. And it always helps to have a friend or a group of people to share the activity with and keep you motivated. Just stay with the program. Before you know it, you’ll be feeling more energetic, relaxed and living a heart-healthier life.

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