There’s a whole new world of better health waiting for you. Here’s how to take confident steps toward starting to exercise to stay healthy.

Many view exercise as another unwanted stress, with concerns over associated financial costs, slow progress, and injury among many other factors negatively affecting public opinion. The truth is that you must exercise to stay healthy!

You may be among the crowd who are discouraged at the thought of working out because you think you’re too old, tired, or busy. The happy fact is that it’s never too early or too late to start making a positive, whole-body difference, whether this involves hitting the gym to try weight training, or simply committing to more aerobic activity in your daily routine. This guide will explain how regular exercise can be a powerful method of preventative care and a highly effective management tool for a host of medical conditions.

Note: Remember, exercise requires intelligently structured repetition. It’s important to seek medical advice and discuss any exercise plans with your healthcare provider before beginning. They will help create an effective, medically approved program which avoids any styles that may be detrimental for you.

The personal cost of lack of exercise

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lists “lack of exercise” as one of the four main risk factors in preventable chronic diseases. The statistics are concerning: three out of four Americans don’t get enough physical activity, nor do four out of five high school students. Here’s what to know:

• This lack increases the risk of chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes, cancer, obesity, and heart diseases developing or worsening.
• The government is aware of how important it is for the public to exercise to stay healthy. This overview of the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans is a summary of complete edition and details best exercise practices for all age groups.
• The guidelines also contain comprehensive advice for those managing chronic conditions, pregnancy, or disabilities. Common exercise questions like ideal time increments, exercise styles, and safety advice to prevent injuries are also answered in detail.

The many benefits of establishing a regular exercise program are highlighted in the CDC’s physical activity basics which highlights the holistic health advantages for our brains and bodies ranging from clearer mental processes and better sleep to lower blood pressure and improved metabolism.

Exercise to stay healthy can also have a positive psychological and emotional effect. These two outcomes can help with managing another chronic disease that can strike at any age: depression.

How exercise can ease depression

• Depression can be classified as a chronic condition and one of the biggest barriers toward exercise for the more than 17 million Americans suffering most seriously from it. In fact, adults showing symptoms of depression are 64 percent more likely to develop coronary artery disease. When depression is coupled with anxiety (which affects a further 40 million Americans) it becomes even harder to enter a gym or select a walking or running route.

A home exercise program can help by providing privacy along with results. It’s a terrific way to raise the heart rate and develop strength, tone, and definition. Some muscle strengthening programs do not require any equipment, although you may want a soft surface – such as a padded mat, or some light dumbbells, or resistance bands depending on the type of exercises being performed.

Many resistance training exercises can be started without specialist equipment, with resistance added as strength increases. For example, beginners can try push-ups, crunches, lunges and squats, all of which may be practiced without equipment to improve mobility, build the upper-body, boost core strength and improve lower-body and lower back strength. Over time, resistance can be added gradually as muscle strength improves.

Exercise to stay healthy for strength, cardio, and balance

The Mayo Clinic recommends a strength training program targeting all major muscle groups to potentially unlock multiple benefits. These include:

• Greater bone density
• Body weight reduction
• Better management of many chronic conditions (e.g. high blood pressure and high cholesterol)
• Better balance
• Improved mood
• Improved relationships

Developing greater balance is to everyone’s benefit, but can be crucial in life quality for many. Some home balance exercises are designed to help people of various age groups, physical fitness levels, or who may be managing chronic conditions. Home cardio is equally possible without equipment and can be paired with strength and balance training, which is known as “multicomponent physical activity.”

Any form of exercise, even moderate-intensity activity such as brisk walking will release endorphins, help redirect mental focus toward a positive outcome, and improve your mood and sense of wellness. Those able to exercise outdoors or in a gym can reap extra health benefits, two of which are increased exposure to vitamin D from sunlight and stronger social ties.

Social interaction can also forge positive new relationships built on mutual support, increase personal accountability, and decrease the loneliness and seclusion which are at the root of many people’s depression. You might consider group exercise online as a viable social alternative.

How ModRN Health can help on your road to better health

Saving money on prescriptions can play a key role in freeing up finances to join a gym to work on strength exercises or invest in a fitness program with a personal trainer. We also offer a regularly updated knowledge base that keeps our readers informed about important health-related issues, details on medical conditions, and information on how to manage them as you grow through your fitness journey.

ModRN Health is dedicated to finding the best medication prices at pharmacies near you. That way you don’t have to burn too much energy picking up your medications after a productive exercise session! Open a free account today to learn more about the other benefits.