How to Be Active for Health << Staying Active and Eating Healthy << womenshealth.gov

How to Be Active for Health

You have probably heard by now that physical activity is good for you. An active lifestyle helps you manage your body weight and prevent gradual weight gain. Being active may also have these benefits:

Lower your risk of getting heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, breast and colon cancer, type 2 diabetes (the most common form of diabetes), osteoarthritis (the most common form of arthritis), and osteoporosis (a disease that weakens bones)

Lower high blood pressure in people who already have high blood pressure

Reduce the risk of a second heart attack in people who have already had one heart attack

Help control joint pain and stiffness from arthritis

Reduce feelings of mild to moderate anxiety and depression

Improve your mood

Increase feelings of well-being

Help you handle stress

Help you quit smoking

Increase your energy and endurance

Help you sleep better

Reduce falls among older adults

Reduce the risk of mental decline among older adults

Yet with all the benefits of being physically active, maybe you haven't quite gotten around to starting a regular activity routine. If you are having trouble becoming physically active, you are not alone. In fact, less than half of U.S. adults get the minimum recommended level of physical activity each week.

If you're having trouble getting started with a regular physical activity routine, this section is for you. Here you will find descriptions of the different types of physical activity and guidelines for how much of each type of activity you should aim to do each week. You will also find physical activity tips for women who are overweight or obese and women with disabilities.

Additional Resources

Publications

2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans - The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion provide Americans with the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for everyone to use to get healthy and stay healthy. The publication also discusses the recommended amount of physical activity that adults and children should do weekly and how this will benefit their health.

http://www.health.gov/paguidelines/faqs.aspx

Exercise for Your Bone Health - This publication contains information on why exercise is an essential factor in an osteoporosis prevention and treatment program.

http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Bone/Bone_Health/Exercise/default.asp

Exercise: A Guide from the National Institute on Aging - This 80-page illustrated booklet provides healthy older people with scientifically accurate recommendations about exercise. In addition to providing sample exercises, the booklet explains the benefits of the exercises, how to stay motivated, and how to track your progress.

http://www.niapublications.org/exercisebook/ExerciseGuideComplete.pdf

Frequently Asked Questions - Physical Activity (Exercise) - This publication contains information on the benefits of exercise, why it is important, when to check with your healthcare provider, and how exercise can help people of all ages.

http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/exercise.htm

HealthierUS.gov - With a focus on physical fitness, nutrition, preventative screenings, and avoiding risky behaviors, HealthierUS.gov is a source of credible, accurate information to help Americans live healthier lives.

http://www.healthierus.gov

Healthy Eating and Physical Activity Across Your Lifespan: Young at Heart: Tips for Older Adults - This booklet contains tips for older adults on eating healthy, getting active and losing weight.

http://win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/young_heart.htm

Physical Activity Guidelines - This fact sheet summarizes the latest knowledge about activity and health, with depth and flexibility targeting specific population subgroups, such as seniors and children. This effort is inspired by President Bush's personal dedication to physical fitness and his desire that every American have access to science-based guidelines.

http://www.health.gov/paguidelines/Default.aspx

Pump Fiction: Tips for Buying Exercise Equipment - The Federal Trade Commission advises work-out "wannabes" to exercise good judgment when evaluating advertising claims for fitness equipment.

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/products/pro10.shtm

Why Should I Be Physically Active? (Copyright © AHA) - This American Heart Association fact sheet demonstrates the health benefits of living a more physically active life and explains how to appropriately exercise.

http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3009620

Organizations

= Indicates Federal Resources

Content last updated June 17, 2008.