Physical Activity
Physical activity and your health
Transforming Communities - PRO WALK/PRO BIKE 08
September 2-5, 2008 Westin Seattle Hotel
Join bicycle, pedestrian, active living and climate change advocates, elected and appointed officials, bike/ped specialists, transportation experts, land-use planners, safe routes to school coordinators, public health practitioners, and many more who want to make our cities and communities more walkable and bicycle-friendly places. Register online.
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Performing Tai Chi exercises
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Physical activity is good for every body and is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. The benefits of physical activity are well-documented:
- Stronger bones
- Lower blood pressure
- Better balance
- Better sleep
- Better mood
- Fewer aches and pains
- More energy
- Healthier heart and lungs
- Reduce the risk for diabetes and some types of cancer
Aim for 30 minutes of physical activity a day on most days of the week. Your activity can be spread out through the day. Try for 10 minutes at a time, but even a few minutes counts.
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Woman lifting weights
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Bodies are made to move and when they don’t move enough, health can suffer. Health problems related to not getting enough physical activity:
- Stiff joints
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Weight gain
- Low energy
- Depression
These are just a few problems related to inactivity. If you are not getting any physical activity now, even a few minutes a day could make a big difference in the way you feel.
What kind of activity counts?
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Kids swimming in lake
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There are many different ways to get the physical activity your body needs. It doesn’t have to be strenuous to be good for you: swimming, gardening, biking, dancing, yoga, walking, skating, mowing the lawn, doing housework or playing catch - they all count!
The important thing is that you find something you like to do and get started today.
*Image of elders participating in Tai-Chi exercises and African American woman lifting weights courtesy of the University of Washington Health Promotion Research Center
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check it out
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Watch this video as a King County woman tells how she learned to add physical activity to her daily routine.
*Requires the Real Media Player installed on your computer. Download and install the free Real Player Basic.
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Walking maps in King County
 For good health every person should do 30 minutes or more of moderate-intensity physical activity throughout the day on five or more days of the week.
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“Live outside the box”
Stressing the health benefits of reducing TV and screen time.
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 Healthy Eating for Lifetime
What we choose to eat can have a direct affect on our ability to enjoy life to its fullest. This is true for everyone, despite his or her age and current health.
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 Healthy Aging Parnership
As an active partner to the Health Aging Partnership, Public Health - Seattle & King County helps to promote healthy aging through community partnerships.
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King County Asthma Resources
 An estimated 22,209 King County children under 18 have asthma. It is the second leading cause of hospitalization in children in King County.
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