Fitness: Fitness and Exercise Introduction

Today, there is a growing emphasis on looking good, feeling good and living longer. Increasingly, scientific evidence tells us that one of the keys to achieving these ideals is fitness and exercise. But if you spend your days at a sedentary job and pass your evenings as a "couch potato," it may require some determination and commitment to make regular activity a part of your daily routine. Equal Opportunity Benefits

Exercise is not just for Olympic hopefuls or supermodels. In fact, you're never too unfit, too young or too old to get started. Regardless of your age, gender or role in life, you can benefit from regular physical activity. If you're committed, exercise in combination with a sensible diet can help provide an overall sense of well-being and can even help prevent chronic illness, disability and premature death. Some of the benefits of increased activity are:

Improved Health

* increased efficiency of heart and lungs

* reduced cholesterol level

* increased muscle strength

* reduced blood pressure

* reduced risk of major illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease

* weight loss

Improved Sense of Well-Being

* more energy* less stress

* improved quality of sleep

* improved ability to cope with stress

* increased mental acuity

Improved Appearance

* weight loss

* toned muscles

* improved posture

Enhanced Social Life

* improved self-image

*increased opportunities to make new friends

* increased opportunities to share an activity with friends or familymembers