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20th May 2010
Maintain fitness levels to beat recession blues - Quinn-healthcare offers tips for keeping active without paying gym membership fees
According to Sarah O’Neill, Occupational Health Advisor (RGN, RM, OHA) with Quinn-healthcare: ‘Many people are put off physical activity because they believe that only vigorous exercise, actively attending a gym or playing sport counts as healthy activity. But, in fact, substantial health benefits can be achieved from regular activity without the need to pay gym membership, or have sporting ability.’
She continued: ‘Moderate intensity physical activity– equivalent to brisk walking for 30 minutes per day on most days of the week – is enough to bring about real benefits in terms of promoting health and preventing illnesses. Regular activity can also improve the way you look and feel. In combination with a balanced diet, regular activity can help to maintain a healthy weight. It can even boost self-confidence and reduce the risk of depression.’ By making simple changes to your everyday routine, it is possible to achieve your 30 minute target without joining the gym or paying club membership fees.
According to Sarah, ‘’For an adult, regular, moderate intensity activity means using up about an extra 200 calories per day, most days of the week. This equates to about 30 minutes of activity - such as a two-mile brisk walk that should make you feel warm and mildly out of breath. If you have previously been inactive and 30 minutes of activity per day sounds like a tall order, the good news is that separate sessions of ten minutes can count towards the total.‘’
Despite the strong case for staying active, many people find it difficult to adapt their daily routine to incorporate physical activity. Staying motivated is often a problem as not everyone sees exercise as fun, and doing something you find boring just because it’s good for you is difficult to sustain. According to Sarah O’Neill: ‘The key to getting fit is finding an activity that you enjoy. Exercise with a friend or try activities that are set to music such as dance or aerobics which can help motivate you.’
Evidence shows that regular exercise can:
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Increase levels of “good” cholesterol