Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mississippi

Make Exercise Part of Your Life

If you're already practicing good eating habits, it’s also time to get moving! Exercise can often get bumped to the bottom of our daily “to do” lists when it comes to priorities. However, exercise should be a top priority since it offers invaluable health benefits and has often been called the best medicine for your health. It helps manage weight, can prevent and manage certain health conditions, increase your energy, improve your mood and can even help you sleep better.

Ideally, most healthy adults should be active for 30 minutes on most days of the week. If you’re trying to lose weight or maintain weight loss, more may be necessary. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has published its Physical Activity Guidelines for people of all ages which can help you determine how much and what type of activity you need.

So make your health a priority this year with regular exercise – here are some tips to help make it a part of your life.

Exercise at Home

Wake up 30 minutes early.
Getting up just 30 minutes early to get your workout in can ensure you don’t miss out at the end of the day. It can also give you that extra energy boost to help you be more productive. You can try walking around your neighborhood or try out that new fitness video you’ve been interested in.

Exercise while watching TV.
If you can’t miss your favorite shows, take advantage of this time to get your workout in. There are countless activities you can enjoy right in your living room like jumping rope, jumping jacks, pushups, sit ups, stretching and more.

Make it a family affair.
If your usual after dinner ritual includes sedentary activities with the computer or television, take the family for a post-meal walk instead. It can be an excellent time to bond, reconnect and share the day’s news.

Exercise at Work

Take the stairs.
Using the stairs rather than the elevator is a great way to incorporate activity into your day. Also, walking up and down the stairs during your breaks can provide an opportunity for a calorie burning cardio session.

Walk at lunch.
Eat a quick and healthy lunch then invite your coworkers to join you for a midday walk. It will energize and refresh you and you can support one another in your efforts to be healthy!

Track your progress.
What’s more motivating than seeing progress? Maybe it’s fitting into a pair of pants you thought you’d never wear again or having more energy throughout the day. Whatever your inspiration may be, always remember the lasting benefits exercise will have on your health.

Be healthy! Make exercise part of your life today!

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