Today we celebrate National Women’s Health Week by reminding our green queens to exercise! Make it your mission to get active today. Take the pledge, and get your body into gear. The National Women’s Health Information Center has information on why physical fitness is important to us women.
The Maxim Hygiene team is celebrating by going to Zumba together after work today! You know how we love Zumba!
Getting your Zumba on, or going to the gym is good for many reasons. Cardiovascular activity is a preventative measure against heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, unhealthy cholesterol levels, type II diabetes, colon and breast cancer, and even depression.
Working out is so great for my mental health. It helps me sweat out any bad vibes. It’s all about building muscle and confidence. By getting fit, I gain self-assurance.
It’s just a healthy hobby!
Take today as an opportunity to challenge yourself even further! If you don’t work out much, why not go on a light walk, or dance around your house. For the more seasoned exercisers, try taking it up a notch. Today is a perfect reminder to push yourself to stay fit!
Physical Activity
An active lifestyle can lower your risk of early death from health problems like heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer, and depression. It can also prevent unhealthy weight gain, improve muscular fitness, and, for older adults, improve mental function.
You gain health benefits from doing the following each week:
– 2.5 hours of moderate intensity aerobic physical activity
or
– 1 hour and 15 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity
or
– A combination of moderate and vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity
and
– Muscle-strengthening activities on 2 or more days
Moderate activity means your heart rate goes up, but you should still be able to talk easily. Vigorous activity means your heart rate goes up a lot and you breathe hard enough that it’s hard to carry on a conversation.
Take steps to prevent injury. These include:
– Starting with short sessions
– Warming up
– Drinking plenty of fluids
– Stopping if you don’t feel well
It may be harder to be physically active if you’re large or disabled, but it is possible. Talk to your doctor to create a plan that works for you.
Find ways to fit physical activity into your busy schedule. Don’t let small challenges prevent you from being active.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans (2008), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Phone number: 800-336-4797
Internet Address: http://www.health.gov/paguidelines
Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Phone number: (770) 488-6042
Internet Address: http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/
Food and Nutrition Information Center, U.S. Department of Agriculture
Phone Number: (301) 504-5414
Internet Address: http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/
HealthierUS.gov
Phone number: (301) 565-4167
Internet Address: http://www.healthierus.gov/exercise.html
Weight Control Information Network, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Phone number: (877) 946-4627
Internet Address: http://www.niddk.nih.gov/health/nutrit/win.htm
The President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports
Phone number: (202) 690-9000
Internet Address: http://www.fitness.gov/
American Council on Exercise
Phone number: (888) 825-3636
Internet Address: http://www.acefitness.org/
womenshealth.gov
1-800-994-9662 • TDD: 1-888-220-544