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Why is it harder to stay fit now?
In the new millenium, everyone has a fixation on being fit and in shape. People are constantly finding new ways to stay in shape. Whether it's by exercising or eating healthier, every one's got fitness on the brain. But it wasn't always that way. Even with the new obsession with fitness, obesity rates in America are skyrocketing. And only 3% of Americans follow 4 of the 5 American Dietary Guidelines! What can we do now to make sure we're healthy?
How people stayed fit in history
What plays a role in fitness?
Ideas for staying fit
Benefits of staying healthy
The Food Pyramid: Eating Healthy
In history, people were much more active. There were no cars or public transportation so people had to walk places or ride horses, which was a source of exercise. Furthermore, there was no T.V. --the Victorians weren't coach potatoes! In Ancient times, sporting events were very highly regarded. For example, in ancient Greece and Rome the Olympics were a major event which all people wanted to participate in. The Olympics required that people be in good physical shape. They also ate very balanced meals with proper and nutritional food. Whereas, nowadays, fatty snacks like chips, cookies and cakes are a favorite for Americans.
Many people divide fitness into two parts : food and exercise. However, there are many more components which add to our physical fitness than those two alone.
Other things which play a role in our fitness :
Nutrition
Pollution
Stress
Addiction
To maintain a healthy diet, a 15 year old girl who does approximately 30-60 minutes of exercise daily should eat daily:
| Grains |
Vegetables |
Fruits |
Milk |
Meat and Beans |
| 6 ounces |
2.5 cups |
2 cups |
3 cups |
5.5 ounces |
Here is a picture of the food pyramid taken from THE FDA
If you're inactive, doing anything is better than nothing! Studies show that people who have a low fitness level are more likely to die early than people who are moderately fit. If you want to exceed a moderate level of fitness, you need to exercise for 30 to 60 minutes, on most days of the week.
Stop smoking or other addictive substances
Eat breakfast
Take the Stairs instead of the elevator
Walk home from work or school
Ride your bike to town instead of driving your car
Devote at least 10 minutes a day to fitness
Skateboard
Roller blade
Bike or walk to your friend's house instead of taking a cab
Walk your dog
Make sure you are eating a balanced group of foods, including carbohydrates, fats, and fruits and vegetables
Get plenty of exercise --> as adults we should get at least 30 minutes of moderate activity 5 days a week or 45 minutes of vigorous activity on 5 days o fthe week.
Instead of snacking when you are taking a break from work, take a walk
Go dancing one night
Use a treadmill or stationary bike while you watch T.V.
Staying fit and keeping your body healthy has proven to have great effects on people's lives. The benefits of keeping a healthy lifestyle :
Longer Life
Becoming stronger and more muscular
Prevents colon, breast, and prostate cancer
Prevents fatigue
Helps quit smoking
Prevents being overweight and eventually obesity
Prevents high cholesterol
Prevents heart disease and dangerously high heart rate
Exercise relieves stress
Fitness improves the body's immune system helping you to effectively fight off disease
Your body will be well nutritioned and feel better
Women benefit even more than men from staying fit. Physically fit women have reduced chances of heart disease Women who don't exercise have twice the chance of dying from heart disease as women who do exercise.
Here are the sources I used:
FDA
Blue Cross Fitness
New Dietary Guidelines
Last updated 4.11.06
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