Get in Shape
Get in Shape | Aerobic Exercise | Walking | Strength Training | 5 Quick Tips

Dear Dr. Suzy,   

Q. I know that working out with weights and doing other forms of strength training is supposed to be good for your health. Exactly why is it so important to be strong and fit?

A. When it comes to getting in shape and being healthy, most of the time—deep down—you instinctively know what the right choice is. The challenge that we all face is having the willpower to make the right decision and ultimately follow the path to optimal health and physical fitness.

It is important to remember that it is not what you do occasionally that makes you healthy, but rather, what you do consistently.  The trick to getting in shape and permanently staying fit, strong, lean, and healthy is maintaining a steady momentum.  We all know how hard it is to start eating healthier after the holidays or start an exercise program after stopping for an extended period of time.  It is much easier if we maintain a slow steady pace rather than stop and start frequently.

As superficial as it may seem, a strong, healthy body can increase one’s chances of success in today’s highly competitive world.  An attractive, healthy looking body can be an extremely valuable asset and can affect how others view you in the business and social arena. 

There are numerous scientific reasons why strength training can be an integral part of a healthy lifestyle, but my favorite reason is the least scientific. It’s really quite simple.  I have found that when I work out on a regular basis, I feel stronger, more focused, and considerably more energetic.  

Our amazing bodies were designed to be active, and everything in them, including the joints, bones, and organs simply functions better when we keep moving on a regular basis.  If you are having trouble staying motivated to exercise, please keep the following information in mind.

The Surgeon General’s  Executive Summary on Physical Activity and Health recently confirmed what most of us have known all along, that lack of physical exercise  and activity is detrimental to your health. The key finding of this report is that people of all ages can improve the quality of their lives through a lifelong practice of moderate physical activity.  The report also concludes that regular physical activity enhances mental health, greatly reduces the risk of dying from coronary heart disease, and also decreases the risk of developing diabetes, hypertension, and colon cancer. As recent research indicates, being inactive and unfit is nearly as significant a risk factor for death as smoking.

Exercise, nutrition, positive thinking, and staying active are all integral components of the overall goal of maintaining a firm healthy body, inside and out.  Making each of these aspects a permanent part of your healthy lifestyle is the key to getting in shape for life.