Activity or Exercise: Adding Movement to Your Day

Regular exercise can lower your risk for heart disease, diabetes, and even some forms of cancer. We hear daily that exercise is important and that we should do it. If we already do it, we are told we should do more of it. What is the deal? Every resource in the country has offered their take on how important exercise is, but why is it so important? How does exercise help our bodies?

Physical Activity and Exercise help us improve all components of physical fitness:
• Enhance cardio-respiratory endurance
• Muscular strength and endurance
• Increase and maintain flexibility

Now that you see the components of fitness that activity and exercise help improve, you know how good it is for you to be more active. Who doesn’t want to have more endurance, strength and flexibility? We all want these things and we get them by moving our bodies. While movement is good, not all movement is created equally. There is a difference between exercise and activity. Let’s talk about the difference between the two:

Exercise

A deliberate movement usually at higher intensity and specifically done for the purpose to improving physical health or competing in a game or sport.

Activity

Any movement that can elevate heart rate and keep your body moving. This includes tasks that are done for work, play or simple household duties as long as they require movement.

Both exercise and activity are important to a healthy lifestyle. Many people think that they don’t have time for exercise or don’t have the ability to take part in many of the common forms of it. We are here to tell you that activity is just as important as exercise. You can get and stay healthy simply by making an effort to add activity to your day. Here are some ideas to get more activity each day:

1. Park farther away: Walking from the farthest corner of the parking lot will burn a few calories. If it’s a parking garage, head for the roof and use the stairs.

2. Play more: Kids play all the time. Adults shouldn’t miss a chance to jump into the fray if kids are playing on a playground or in the yard. Playing along is not only a good way to get activity and set a good example, but it’s FUN too!

3. Clean the house: Vacuuming, dusting, straightening up around the house, even in just a few rooms can make a big impact on your daily activity. (15 min. burns up to 80 calories)

4. Use the buddy system: Adding a social element to exercise helps many people stick with it. The accountability of a partner helps you get there and their company can help you enjoy it more.

5. Take the stairs: it’s good for your legs and heart and gets you where you needed to go minus the wait for an elevator.

Everyone is busy and it takes a lot of time to get “exercise”. This list shows us that we can be more active without carving out time for exercise. It just takes a little imagination and a focus on your health that will help you add it where it can be added. You don’t have to be active all day either. Even trying these options here and there throughout the day can make a big difference in your day to day calorie output. Start small and give yourself credit for making slight changes. Even a little movement is going to make an impact. Have a healthy and active summer!