Health Center | About Weight Loss

Modern life is a surprisingly sedentary thing, as much as we talk about fitness. We sit at desks crouched over our computers, sit behind a steering wheel battling traffic, or have a cell phone at our ear most of our waking time. In our increasingly sedentary world, health and fitness too often take a back seat.

Yet physical fitness and regular exercise are the easiest way to control blood glucose levels, reduce the risks of heart problems, and improve the overall quality of life for all of us. In truth, everyone should be physically active.

A recent survey showed that only 30% of US adults get the recommended half-hour of daily exercise. What’s worse, a quarter of adults in the United States are not active at all!

Scientists believe that inactivity is a key reason why we’re seeing a sharp increase in the occurrence of type 2 diabetes in the US. Inactivity compromises fitness, promotes obesity, and obesity promotes a resistance to insulin and other biological processes that prevent disease. A 2003 Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism contained the results of a study that found that lack of exercise and poor physical fitness were key causes of obesity and serious illnesses like diabetes.

But never fear. It’s never too late to begin to live a healthier life. Physical fitness doesn’t have to be an extreme work out. Anyone can increase their daily amount of physical activity. Exercise helps control the onset of many different, and some very serious, diseases.

People with early signs of illnesses like heart failure and diabetes most need physical exercise and fitness programs to improve their health and prevent life-threatening problems that will cost time, money, and happiness if not addressed. Physical fitness is a sure way to improve insulin sensitivity, lower the risk of heart disease, and promote weight loss.

It ought to be clear by now that we all need to stay physically fit, active, and generally healthy if we want to prevent such illnesses and the lower quality of life they bring.

First Step to a Healthier Life

No matter what your current situation or physical condition, the first step to beginning or changing a fitness plan is a visit to your doctor.

* If your doctor suspects possible heart problems, he/she may order a stress test to find out what level of exercise is safe for you.

* Your doctor will be able to help you identify the best and worst type of exercises for you, particularly if he/she diagnoses a specific condition. Weight lifting, jogging, or aerobics may not be appropriate for people at risk for diabetic retinopathy because they could damage blood vessels and lead to retinal detachment. Some experts think that people with severe peripheral neuropathy (or PN) should not engage in intensive weight-bearing activities like jobbing, aerobics, and long-distance walking. So, your doctor may recommend a lower-impact exercise for you like swimming, rowing, or biking.

* After a complete exam, your doctor may want to refer you to an exercise physiologist who has the training to design a custom physical fitness program for you.

* Even if you’re already an active person who gets regular exercise, a visit to your doctor to discuss possible changes or improvements in your fitness program would be a good idea. Consulting your physician can help avoid serious problems and injuries, particularly as we age.

Exercise and physical fitness doesn’t have to be a chore or a bore, but a daily exercise routine is essential for good health. You can keep it as simple as taking a brisk walk after dinner, walking the dog twice a day, or choosing the stairs over the elevator. What’s important is that you avoid being a sedentary disease-magnet and become an active, vital adult. Even the smallest efforts are progress, and you can make a lot more progress than you realize by thinking about what you’re doing and how it will affect your health in the long run.