This is the third of a four-part series on physical activity.  The first two entries were dedicated to children (ages 5-11) and youth (ages 12-17).  This one is geared towards adults (ages 18-64).

One of the drawbacks to being an adult is you can have a lot of responsibilities, and juggling them can be pretty time-consuming.  Whether it’s work, school, or taking care of the kids, sometimes there just don’t seem to be enough hours in the day.  But regardless of how busy you are, exercising is one thing that should not be overlooked since it’s an important part of leading a healthy lifestyle.  In a given week, try to aim for about 2.5 hours of exercise that includes both aerobic and strength-training activities.[1]

For aerobic exercises, you’re looking for activities that will increase your heart-rate, like biking or roller-blading, for example.  Where strength-training is concerned, look for activities that create resistance to your bones and muscles, like weight-lifting or push-ups, for example.

Exercising doesn’t necessarily mean spending hours of your time in a gym and paying monthly fees to maintain one’s well-being.  Running, swimming or even just climbing the stairs at work during your break are easy and relatively cheap ways to keep active too.  If you’re looking for something you feel might be a little more enjoyable, look to fast-paced sports like basketball or soccer to accomplish your fitness goals.

Staying active can have many rewards, but leading a healthy lifestyle is as important as any.  Exercise helps reduce the risk of a number of illnesses such as heart disease, stroke and osteoporosis.  On a more positive note, physical activity can help increase your energy levels and even your self-esteem.

For more information on this topic, please contact the health professionals at Kew Gardens Health Group.

Part four will cover seniors (ages 65+).

Written by Stephen Colomvakos for Kew Gardens Health Group