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Many people feel they don't have time for regular physical activity, or they're too tired. But being physically active every day is one important aspect of a healthy lifestyle. Increasing your heartbeat, strengthening your muscles, and increasing your flexibility contribute to physical fitness. Being physically fit has a number of health benefits in both the short-term and the long-term.
Research shows that regular physical activity can promote psychological well-being and aid in reducing feelings of mild to moderate depression and anxiety. On a day that you're feeling a bit tired, down, or stressed, consider taking a brisk walkit can help you.
Leading a physically active lifestyle can also help maintain a healthy weight and prevent weight gain. Expending calories through physical activity can help balance the calories you take in as food. Just remember, don't counteract all the physical activity you do by eating a lot of unhealthy foods.
People with higher levels of physical activity are at lower risk for developing chronic disease. Regular physical activity can reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, stroke, coronary artery disease, type 2 diabetes, colon cancer, and osteoporosis.
Different intensities and types of activity provide different benefits. Generally, if you are able to talk while performing the physical activity, it's moderately intense. But if you're breathing hard and it's hard to hold a conversation, the activity is vigorously intense. Vigorously intense activity burns more calories per unit of time.
For most people, moderately intense physical activities include:
For most people, vigorously intense activities include:
Gender | Age (Years) | Sedentaryb | Moderately Activec | Actived |
---|---|---|---|---|
Child | 2 - 3 | 1,000 | 1,000 - 1,400e | 1,000 - 1,400e |
Female | 4 - 8 | 1,200 | 1,400 - 1,600 | 1,400 - 1,800 |
9 - 13 | 1,600 | 1,600 - 2,000 | 1,800 - 2,200 | |
14 - 18 | 1,800 | 2,000 | 2,400 | |
19 - 30 | 2,000 | 2,000 - 2,200 | 2,400 | |
31 - 50 | 1,800 | 2,000 | 2,400 | |
51+ | 1,600 | 1,800 | 2,000 - 2,200 | |
Male | 4 - 8 | 1,400 | 1,400 - 1,600 | 1,600 - 2,000 |
9 - 13 | 1,800 | 1,800 - 2,200 | 2,000 - 2,600 | |
14 - 18 | 2,200 | 2,400 - 2,800 | 2,800 - 3,200 | |
19 - 30 | 2,400 | 2,600 - 2,800 | 3,000 | |
31 - 50 | 2,200 | 2,400 - 2,600 | 2,800 - 3,000 | |
51+ | 2,000 | 2,200 - 2,400 | 2,400 - 2,800 |
HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
Reduce your risk for chronic disease.
Do at least 30 minutes of moderately-intense physical activity, above
usual activity, on most days of the week. You don't need to do
it all at onceit's all right to break up your physical
activity into three, 10-minute times throughout the day. And, increasing
the intensity or the amount of time that you are physically active
can have even greater health benefits.
Help manage body weight and prevent weight gain.
You may need at least 60 minutes of moderately to vigorously intense
activity, above usual activity, on most days of the week to manage
your weight. At the same time, watch the calories in the food
you eatyou can figure out the right number of daily calories
for you on the Estimated Calories Needed table on page 1. To sustain
weight loss, about 60 to 90 minutes of moderately intense physical
activity each day may be needed. These levels may seem overwhelming,
but this effective strategy is used by people who have successfully
lost weight and kept it off.
Achieve physical fitness.
This includes cardiovascular conditioning (getting your heart rate
up), stretching exercises for flexibility, and resistance exercises
or calisthenics for muscle strength and endurance. Combining these
different types of exercises can help you be stronger.
WHAT'S STRENGTH TRAINING? |
Strength training exercises are resistance exercises that can
increase endurance, increase the strength of your muscles, and
maintain the integrity of your bones. They're an important
part of getting physically fit and strong, and it's beneficial
to include them 2 or more days a week. Specifically, strength training makes your body strong and more toned, and has the potential to reduce the risk of osteoporosis. Examples include using free weights, weight machines, or resistance bands. |
FITTING IN FITNESS |
Finding time to exercise can be a challenge. It is important to schedule it in and make it part of your routine. One way to fit it in is to exercise during your breaks throughout the day. Studies show you get the same health benefits from breaking up physical activity into three to six 10-minute or two to four 15-minute intervals throughout the day. As long as you get your heart rate up and keep it up for the whole 10 or 15 minutes, it's your daily total that's important. |
HYDRATION |
Proper hydration is important when participating in physical activity. To avoid dehydration, be sure to drink plenty of water or other fluid (non-alcoholic) both during and after the activity. |
MOTIVATION |
There may be times when you need extra motivation. Leveling-off periods are normal and may signal that it's time to get help from others. You can plan activities with a group, find a buddy to exercise with, record your progress, and feel good about small, consistent changes. |