Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Adults gain substantial health benefits from two and a half hours a week of moderate aerobic physical activity, and children benefit from an hour or more of physical activity a day, according to the new Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. The comprehensive set of recommendations for people of all ages and physical conditions was released today by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
The guidelines are designed so people can easily fit physical activity into their daily plan and incorporate activities they enjoy.
Physical activity benefits children and adolescents, young and middle-aged adults, older adults, and those in every studied racial and ethnic group, the report said.
“It’s important for all Americans to be active, and the guidelines are a roadmap to include physical activity in their daily routine,” HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt said. “The evidence is clear -- regular physical activity over months and years produces long-term health benefits and reduces the risk of many diseases. The more physically active you are, the more health benefits you gain.”
Regular physical activity reduces the risk in adults of early death; coronary heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, colon and breast cancer, and depression. It can improve thinking ability in older adults and the ability to engage in activities needed for daily living. The recommended amount of physical activity in children and adolescents improves cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness as well as bone health, and contributes to favorable body composition.
The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans are the most comprehensive of their kind. They are based on the first thorough review of scientific research about physical activity and health in more than a decade. A 13-member advisory committee appointed in April 2007 by Secretary Leavitt reviewed research and produced an extensive report.
Key guidelines by group are:
Children and Adolescents -- One hour or more of moderate or vigorous aerobic physical activity a day, including vigorous intensity physical activity at least three days a week. Examples of moderate intensity aerobic activities include hiking, skateboarding, bicycle riding and brisk walking. Vigorous intensity aerobic activities include bicycle riding, jumping rope, running and sports such as soccer, basketball and ice or field hockey. Children and adolescents should incorporate muscle-strengthening activities, such as rope climbing, sit-ups, and tug-of war, three days a week. Bone-strengthening activities, such as jumping rope, running and skipping, are recommended three days a week.
Adults -- Adults gain substantial health benefits from two and one half hours a week of moderate intensity aerobic physical activity, or one hour and 15 minutes of vigorous physical activity. Walking briskly, water aerobics, ballroom dancing and general gardening are examples of moderate intensity aerobic activities. Vigorous intensity aerobic activities include racewalking, jogging or running, swimming laps, jumping rope and hiking uphill or with a heavy backpack. Aerobic activity should be performed in episodes of at least 10 minutes. For more extensive health benefits, adults should increase their aerobic physical activity to five hours a week moderate-intensity or two and one half hours a week of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity. Adults should incorporate muscle strengthening activities, such as weight training, push-ups, sit-ups and carrying heavy loads or heavy gardening, at least two days a week.
Older adults -- Older adults should follow the guidelines for other adults when it is within their physical capacity. If a chronic condition prohibits their ability to follow those guidelines, they should be as physically active as their abilities and conditions allow. If they are at risk of falling, they should also do exercises that maintain or improve balance.
Women during pregnancy -- Healthy women should get at least two and one half hours of moderate-intensity aerobic activity a week during pregnancy and the time after delivery, preferably spread through the week. Pregnant women who habitually engage in vigorous aerobic activity or who are highly active can continue during pregnancy and the time after delivery, provided they remain healthy and discuss with their health care provider how and when activity should be adjusted over time.
Adults with disabilities -- Those who are able should get at least two and one half hours of moderate aerobic activity a week, or one hour and 15 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity a week. They should incorporate muscle-strengthening activities involving all major muscle groups two or more days a week. When they are not able to meet the guidelines, they should engage in regular physical activity according to their abilities and should avoid inactivity.
People with chronic medical conditions -- Adults with chronic conditions get important health benefits from regular physical activity. They should do so with the guidance of a health care provider.
For more information about the “Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans,” visit www.hhs.gov
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
HHS Announces Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
iGoogle...Do you?
Be sure to add the GoFitCoach Google Gadget to your homepage for M-F health and fitness tidbits. Sometimes a small nugget is all you need to get you through the day!
Sunday, October 12, 2008
The Answer is Productivity
This is from Carl's Blog. I think that it is very relevant!
We are surrounded by the news of financial meltdown. The credit crisis has yet to find its way through the system to the majority of us. And while I'm no economist, I believe that as the effects of the current crisis and the tight debt markets find their way to "Main street", there will be another wave of defaults, but this time in credit card debt, and we'll be looking at another series of "bail out" scenarios.
So you might be thinking, "What the heck do I do to survive this?"
The answer is, get productive. I have read many accounts of people who managed to build fortunes during recessions, even during the depression era. That's the safety of working with creativity, especially in an area that people truly need no matter what the financial picture.
That's what we have at Beachbody. Our product is not frivolous - this is something that will change the quality of life for everyone who participates. The health care crisis, which costs us billions upon billions of dollars, can be traced to choices, not to economics. When we lead healthier lives, we reduce the cost of health care to ourselves and our society. That is not something that will disappear during a rough economy, but something that will become even more important.
And to be in a position of offering that kind of opportunity for just $39.95, an opportunity that can generate hundreds if not thousands of dollars a month if you work it hard, is ideal - especially when times are tough.
Fortune favors persistence, regardless of the environment around us. We will continue to be smart and creative. And we will continue to help people. When anyone wonders why you are feeling so good and your financial situation is so solid when everyone else is struggling, tell them that you never quit, and you never stopped believing that helping people was worth the effort.
Now is the time to be productive!
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Calling all PERSONAL TRAINERS!
We are looking for PERSONAL TRAINERS to join our GoFitCoach Team with Beachbody!
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Monday, October 6, 2008
Beachbody Network News
I have been featured on this week's BNN!!!!!! Thank you to everyone for your comments!!!!!
Update...too funny...it must have been last week's episode because they changed it today!!! Hope you got to see it!