We human beings are funny creatures when it comes to exercise. It’s good for us, but it seems the majority of people have to force themselves to do what is physically good for them on a regular basis.
Maybe it’s the word “exercise” that is off-putting for a lot of folks. It conjures up having to go to a gym, jog for miles, do aerobics or even hot yoga.
Some people have exercise delay syndrome (EDS), putting off exercise for extended periods of time or forever. Having this syndrome is the perfect excuse for not working out, even though it’s a made up disorder. * Maybe part of the cure is to use the words physical activity instead of the dreaded word: exercise.
Why Keep Moving?
First of all, the health benefits of physical activity are nothing new. The father of medicine, Hippocrates, said that “. . . food and exercise, while possessing opposite qualities, yet work together to produce health . . ..” He would even write “exercise” prescriptions for patients with consumption.
Dating back to the 12th century BC, tai chi is a gentle and meditative way to move that originated in China. Going back even further in time, the roots of yoga, not necessarily hot, grew from India. Even calisthenics date back to ancient Greece. People who have no interest in touching tires may find these forms of moving far more appealing. And you can do them anywhere without the need for special equipment.
The point of thinking about the history of exercise is that a lot of things from the past that were supposed to be good for you turn out to be untrue. Not physical activity. And the early forms still work today. Their health benefits extend to every part of our bodies and help prevent and even alleviate most chronic diseases.
What’s Your Choice?
In today’s world, there are so many ways to stay active, from the simplest to the most challenging. The key is to find something that you enjoy, whether going for regular walks or Navy SEAL physical and mental training. When you really like something, it can become addictive. And being addicted to physical activity is a healthy compulsion. The following choices are some of the most popular.
Aerobic Exercise:
- helps to improve endurance
- supports heart health, weight management and overall fitness level
- includes aerobics classes, brisk walks, cycling, dancing, swimming and tennis
Strength Training
- helps to improve endurance and muscle strength
- supports heart health, weight management and overall fitness level
- includes body weight, resistance tubing, free weight and weight machine exercises
High-Intensity Interval Training:
- helps to improve endurance
- supports heart health, weight management and overall fitness level
- alternates between high and lower levels of intensity for short periods of time
- includes burpees, dips, jumping jacks, mountain climbers and push-ups
The truth is that all of the above contributes to physical and mental health, supporting all body systems, although particularly good for the heart.
You don’t even have to put a label on what you do. Keep in mind that physical activity comes in many forms: doing any kind of housework, choosing to climb stairs instead of pushing an elevator button, walking instead of driving to your destination, etc. Any movement that doesn’t hurt you helps you in the long run.
AIM Nutrition for Physical Activity
Just as Hippocrates noted how food and exercise go hand in hand for good health, The AIM Companies™ has stressed this combination for years as the first two avenues in the Healthy Cell Concept™.
Whole-food powders that include the Garden Trio and CoCoa LeafGreens energize at the cellular level with plant-based nutrients.
AIM even came up with the Sports Pack as go-to nutrition for the physically active. And if the words above mean anything, this should include pretty much everyone. Peak Endurance provides more of the energy molecule your body produces: ATP. RediBeets delivers vegetable nitrate that your body converts to nitric oxide, which relaxes blood vessels and increases circulation. ProPeas offers a vegetable source of protein for building lean muscles. These three products in a pack are also a money-saving combination of nutritional support for the physically active.
Eating well and supplementing with AIM nutrition may even help those with exercise delay syndrome by maintaining high energy levels: physical inspiration to not delay moving. * Note: Turns out that there really is a syndrome with the abbreviation EDS: Ehlers-Danlos syndrome makes joints loose and weak and skin unusually stretchy. According to the Mayo Clinic, walking, swimming, tai chi, recreational biking, using an elliptical machine or a stationary bike are all good choices of physical activity for those with EDS. Hmm . . . exercise. Go figure!
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