Week 4
The Importance Of Physical Activity
"The first wealth is health." —Ralph Waldo Emerson

Regular physical activity substantially reduces the risk of dying of coronary heart disease, the nation's leading cause of death, and decreases the risk for stroke, colon cancer, diabetes, and high blood pressure. It also helps to control weight; contributes to healthy bones, muscles, and joints; reduces falls among older adults; helps to relieve the pain of arthritis; reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression; and is associated with fewer hospitalizations, physician visits, and medications. Moreover, physical activity need not be strenuous to be beneficial; people of all ages benefit from participating in regular, moderate-intensity physical activity, such as 30 minutes of brisk walking five or more times a week.

More than 50% of American adults do not get enough physical activity to provide health benefits.                      

Can a lack of physical activity hurt your health?

Evidence shows that those who are not physically active are definitely not helping their health, and may likely be hurting it. The closer we look at the health risks associated with a lack of physical activity, the more convincing it is that Americans who are not yet regularly physically active should become active.

RECOMMENDATIONS
"We are what we repeatedly do." —Aristotle

• There is good news!  Scientific evidence shows that physical activity can produce health benefits.  If people have been sedentary, they can improve their health and well-being with regular, moderate levels of activity each day.
• Adults should engage in 30 minutes of physical activity MOST days of the week.
• It’s never too late to start an active lifestyle!

Stages of Change in Adding Physical Activity into Your Life

Where Are You?

Laurie Jones led over 110 members of Lose and Win in "Moving More" at the Ellsworth Middle School.

At the end of their 3rd week the 45 teams with 382 participants have accumulated a loss of 1,608 pounds, well on their way to losing a ton.

“The Pedominators” won the Victory stick for week #2 but relinquished the stick to “Details in Motion” on week #3. “The Ten Week Wonders” a team from Jackson Lab were only a fraction of a pound away from coming in #1.