Nobody was particularly surprised when the Director of the Center for Disease Control recently declared that obesity, caused by lack of physical fitness and poor eating habits, has just about caught up to tobacco smoking as the largest preventable cause of death in the United States today. While the general population is worried about Swine Flu, AIDS, and bioterrorism as possible causes of death, being overweight seems to be a larger threat than any of the aforementioned items. So here’s the quandary: no one is claiming that sedentary living is acceptable, yet most children and adults remain basically inactive. Why is it that some people dedicate themselves to exercising and taking care of their health, while others don’t?
Let’s take a look at seniors, children, and adults and see who is more likely and less likely to make an effort to stay fit and healthy. We all know that fitness involvement tends to decline with age. This creates great societal concern for people over 65 years of age. A Canadian study shows that active seniors tend to be male, highly educated, unmarried and they possess a strong social support network. Because of their activity, they are less overweight and less stressed than their inactive counterparts. Many seniors don’t participate in fitness programs because of fear of falling, illness and weather considerations. Seven separate studies have also shown the psychological benefits of exercise. Among them are improved neurocognitive functions, higher self-esteem, less depression and improved mental health. Therefore, by creating social support, lessening fears and supplying basic information about the benefits of exercise, we can encourage more seniors to participate in a healthier lifestyle.
The rising rate of obesity among children and teens bodes poorly for the health and wellness of the coming generation. One study compared 15 minutes of watching videos with 15 minutes of aerobic exercise in 10-year-old children. The increase in positive moods and decrease in negative moods in the exercisers were precisely the reverse for the video watchers. The sedentary activity of TV watching or playing on the computer for extended periods of time has a negative impact, but if you take that same amount of time and use it toward exercise, it boosts the children’s moods and decreases their negative feelings. It is important to allow kids to choose the activities they like and to encourage families to find family alternatives to TV watching.
Although studies show differences between men and women, for the average adult, time seems to be a major issue. For men, it’s usually work-related and for women, it’s because of household responsibilities and raising the children, in addition to their careers. Just as with seniors, however, people who are better educated and of a higher socio-economic bracket tend to make the time for exercise. One way to overcome the time constraint problem is to encourage people to break up their sessions throughout the day. 10 minutes here and there is very valuable, particularly for stress relief and for improving one’s mood. Research has also shown that for ladies in particular, making exercise part of their social life is of great importance.
Making exercise a priority will bring both physical and mental health benefits and will “add hours to your day, days to your year and years to your life.”
Alan Freishtat is an A.C.E. CERTIFIED PERSONAL TRAINER and a LIFESTYLE FITNESS COACH with over 12 years of professional experience. He is the co-director of the Jerusalem-based weight loss and stress reduction center Lose It! along with Linda Holtz M.Sc. and is available for private consultations, assessments and personalized workout programs. Alan also lectures and gives seminars and workshops. He can be reached at 02-651-8502 or 050-555-7175, or by email at [email protected] See the Lose It! website at www.loseit.co.il
(Alan Freishtat – YWN)
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One Response
Thank you, Mr. Freishtat, for your continuing educational pieces on this website. I can bear personal testimony to the value of your advice. Since last June I’ve been running five miles each morning, except, of course, on Shabbos and Yom Tov. The result? The exercise regimen, together with a radically modified diet, has allowed me to lose thirty pounds. Today my weight is only ten pounds more than when I was 18 years old, in 1972. And for those sedentary souls who abhor physical activity, I also abhor it! There’s not one day that I feel like running, but the same self discipline required by Torasainu Hakadosha for kiyum mitzvos drags me out the door every day. No one says you have to enjoy exercise. Force yourself! The same “shlita” you use to stay fit will make you a better ovaid Hashem in all areas of Yiddishkeit. Chazak v’amatz!