It is no surprise that working out will benefit us physically. Unfortunately, this time of the year is when those New Years Resolutions to workout start to fade out. Complacency sets in and we go back to our original habits.
Have you ever taken the time to look at fitness as a way to benefit you financially as well? According to an article featuring Peter Brubaker, professor of health and exercise science at Wake Forest University, a regular workout routine can reduce your risk for heart disease, stroke, diabetes, colorectal cancer, breast cancer, bone and joint conditions and sleep apnea. Not only do you rest better and feel better, you can also prevent visits to the doctor! Fewer doctor visits can reduce your out-of-pocket costs which may make your benefits plan less costly. Working out can also help to fight off other health concerns such as stress and depression. When you feel better, you work better, and this can lead to an increase in your productivity at work! These benefit you AND your employer!
Here are some suggestions from Brubaker to increase daily physical activity:
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Set a goal of 30 minutes a day of physical activity.
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Walk. For most people, the easiest and most efficient activity is simply walking.
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Wear a pedometer. Recent studies have shown that people wearing pedometers increase their activity level by 25 percent.
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Build activity into your daily routine. Get up from your desk to deliver a message. Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
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Record daily physical activity in a journal.
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Don’t worry so much about weight loss. Realize if you are regularly active you can get significant health benefits even if you never lose a pound. People
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Find activities you enjoy and feel good about doing.
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Get the support of friends and family.
Finally, the biggest obstacle to successful lifestyle change is expectation. Set realistic expectations and recognize that any time is a good time to make a commitment to change your lifestyle.
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To listen to a podcast on how your company can promote health on a budget, go to http://ehstoday.com/podcasts/health_promotion/
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