How Much Is Enough Exercise?

New year, new you. You’ve heard it all before. Resolutions are easy to make but difficult to keep. Now that spring has sprung, where are you at with your health improvement?

You know that physical activity is good for you. It’s certainly been drummed into your head by now, especially if you’ve read any of our past 20 issues. In broader terms, exercise is the closest thing to a fountain of youth or a magic pill you will have in your lifetime. But that knowledge isn’t always enough to keep you moving. When you’re moving more, you sleep better, have more energy, experience improved mood, enjoy better memory function, see increases in bone density, and reduce the risk for many types of cancers. Bottom line: Exercise is the key component to living a long and healthy life. But even if you are moving, do you really know how active you should be?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity each week. For example, walking briskly — at a pace at or above a 20-minute mile for 22 minutes a day — gets you to the 150-minute weekly goal.

Forming a habit is key to reaching your weekly fitness goals. Daily walks are the starting point. Creating a schedule where you come in to FitMe Wellness for a specific class a couple times a week is a prime example. By stringing together a handful of physical activities over the course of the week and holding yourself accountable to a specific schedule, you’ll quickly hit that target.