Let’s Get Moving!

“My idea of exercise is a good brisk sit.”   Phyllis Diller

…A pretty funny line, but the Surgeon General thinks otherwise.

According to his report, here are his major conclusions:

• People of all ages, both male and female, benefit from regular physical activity
• Low levels of activity, resulting in fewer calories used than consumed, contribute to weight gain and the high prevalence of obesity
• Significant health benefits can be obtained by including a moderate amount of physical activity on most days of the week
• Additional health benefits can be gained through greater amounts of physical activity
• Physical activity reduces the risk of premature mortality in general, and of coronary heart disease, hypertension, colon cancer, and diabetes mellitus in particular
• Physical activity may favorably affect body fat distribution
• Physical activity also improves mental health and is important for muscles, bones and joints.

“Exercise is good for your mind, body, and soul. Not to mention your wallet.”    Tom Hopkins

Different things motivate different people to make a change in lifestyle.  This one is for those who are motivated by the almighty dollar.  According to recent studies, physically active individuals had lower annual direct medical costs than did inactive people, with a cost difference of $330 per person.

According to Centers for Disease Control:

• Physically active people require fewer hospital stays and physician visits and use less medication than physically inactive people.

• If all inactive American adults became physically active, the potential savings could amount to around $76.6 billion dollars.

• Americans 15 years and older who engaged in regular physical activity (minimum of 30 minutes of moderate or strenuous physical activity three or more times a week)  had average annual direct medical costs of $1,019 versus costs of $1,349 for those  who were inactive.

This is some great motivation for us to “get moving” as opposed to the “brisk sit” that we all can grow accustomed to.