HealthyLife Articles

Category: Fitness

Healthy Exercise Tips For Children

Fitness

* Set a good example. Be active and get your family to join you. Have fun together. Play with the kids or pets. Go for a walk. Tumble in the leaves. Play catch.

* Take the President’s Challenge as a family. Keep track of physical activities each of you does. Earn awards for active lifestyles atwww.presidentschallenge.org.

* Get into a routine. Set aside time each day as activity time. Walk, jog, skate, cycle, or swim. Adults need at least 30 minutes of physical activity most days of the week. Children need 60 minutes everyday or most days of the week.

* Have an activity party. Make the next birthday party centered on physical activity. Try backyard Olympics or relay races. Have a bowling or skating party.

* Set up a home gym. Use things you have in the house. Use canned foods for weights. Use stairs for stair machines.

* Move it! Limit TV watching and computer time. When you watch TV, exercise or at least get up and move during TV ads. When you talk on the phone, lift weights or walk around.

* Give activity gifts. Give gifts that promote physical activity. Give sporting equipment or active games.

* Promote group sports. Children get regular exercise during practice and during games. Being part of a team can be good for children’s self-esteem, too.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Test Your Fitness Level

Fitness

How do you measure the success of your fitness program? By how much weight you lose? How many inches you trim off your waistline or hips? How well you sleep at night? How energetic you feel?

These are all worthwhile criteria. Another way to evaluate your fitness level-and assess your progress-is to keep track of your resting heart rate (that is, your pulse rate when you’re least active).

The idea is, the lower your resting heart rate, the better shape your heart is in. So as you become more fit, your resting heart rate should drop.

Here’s how to measure it.

1. Take your pulse as soon as you wake up in the morning, before you get out of bed.

2. Count the number of beats for 10 seconds and multiply by six. This will give you your pulse in beats per minute.

3. Repeat the following morning. Then calculate the average of the two. (That is, add the two numbers together and divide by two.) This is your resting heart rate.

Calculate your resting heart rate every three months, as conditioning takes some time to have an effect.

Take the “Talk Test”

No, this isn’t a suggestion that you audition to guest host “The Tonight Show.” It’s just a simple way for you to tell if you’re overdoing it when you exercise. If you’re too out of breath to comfortably carry on a conversation with another person as you dance, run, or slam-dunk your way to fitness, you’re probably working too hard and should slow down. (On the other hand, you should be working hard enough to break a mild sweat.) And of course, any unusual sign of physical distress (such as chest discomfort, pain of any kind, or dizziness) is a signal to slow down to a stop.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Encourage Exercise In Others

BE FIT

Sticking to an exercise routine can be hard. But sometimes getting support from another person can help you get started. If you’ve been able to work out regularly, you can help a loved one do the same. Be a positive force in their life by supporting them, not forcing them. Try these strategies that can encourage them without pressure.

* Make it doable. Don’t suggest signing up for difficult classes or workouts right away. A walk in the evening or doing push-ups while watching TV can be less overwhelming.

* Try something new. A new walking route, different stretches or a fun strength program may help them get motivated. Get away from the same old routine that may not have worked in the past.

* Let them pick. See if they are interested in any local exercise classes or programs – and go with them.

* Plan a meetup time. Many people find exercising right after work is helpful. This may be easier than trying to go back out after you’ve come home to relax. Some people are able to stick to a lunchtime walk if they work in the same place.

* Be consistent. Try to make your exercise routine a regular part of your week. For instance, two times each week is a doable but consistent way to start.

* Be an early riser. If the person lives with you, see if you both can get up 30 minutes earlier for a walk first thing in the morning.

* Ditch the car when you can. If the store or coffee shop is close by, you can walk or bike there together.

* See things from their point of view. It’s hard to get started with exercise. Try to understand how challenging it can be. Ask them how you can best support them.

A positive mindset

When it comes to exercise, the mind is as important as the body. When starting a new healthy habit or helping someone else, remember to:

* Celebrate small efforts. Be happy about seeing an improvement – no matter how small – in strength or fitness level.

* Don’t let setbacks take over. If you miss a week or even two, get back to it. Tell the person you’re not giving up, and help them try again.

Remember that every little bit of exercise is a step in the right direction!

Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Knees Hurt During Exercise?

BE FIT

Knee pain can happen for many different reasons. But if you notice pain in the front of the knee during sports, jumping or running, you could have patellofemoral pain syndrome, also known as runner’s knee.

What does runner’s knee feel like?

Runner’s knee usually has one or more of these symptoms:

* The kneecap hurts when you touch it.

* It feels like the kneecap is grinding or clicking when you move it.

* The kneecap or front of the knee hurts after you’ve been active.

What causes it?

Runner’s knee is common in athletes, especially young adults and females. It may be caused by:

* Tight muscles in the legs, especially the hamstrings and Achilles tendons

* A kneecap that is slightly out of place

* Thigh muscles that are too weak

* Wearing shoes with poor support during exercise

* Exercising too hard or too long

What to know about runner’s knee

Runner’s knee often feels better with home care. Try these tips:

* Use ice packs on the knee for up to 20 minutes, several times a day.

* Replace the activity that hurts the knee with lower impact activities.

* Lightly wrap the knee in an elastic bandage.

* Rest the knee when you can, lifting it up higher than the heart.

* Take ibuprofen or naproxen for more bothersome pain, but ask a doctor before taking it more than seven days.

Prevention matters

You can help prevent runner’s knee if you:

* Stretch all your muscles, especially the legs, before and after exercise.

* Do a warm-up before you start vigorous workouts.

* Increase your exercise slowly.

* Maintain a healthy weight to reduce knee stress.

See a doctor if knee pain doesn’t get better with a few days of rest and home care. Your doctor can recommend physical therapy, shoe inserts or other treatments to help. Always ask your doctor before starting a new exercise program.

Source: American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Boost Your Exercise With Caffeine

BE FIT

Caffeine does more than just give you energy. It can improve exercise performance too. And if you are someone who struggles with motivation, caffeine may give you the mental boost you need to get moving.

Caffeine may help you get just a little more out of your exercise session. It may improve:

* Muscle endurance

* Speed of movement

* Muscle strength

* Aerobic endurance

* Alertness and focus

Make caffeine work for you:

* Consume a dose of caffeine an hour before you exercise.

* 1-3 mg caffeine per pound of body weight has been shown to be most effective.

* One cup of coffee has about 100 mg of caffeine.

* Energy drinks and other forms of caffeine can also work. But be wary of what else may be in them and read the label carefully.

* Talk to your doctor before taking any supplements.

* Don’t overdo it! More is not better and won’t give any additional benefit.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Dance With Or Without The Stars

Fitness

Tone, tighten & shrink your body with constant movement.

You may never earn a spot on Dancing With the Stars, but you can get the same benefits they’ve been touting – tight, toned bodies and noticeable weight loss – simply by moving to your own groove or learning a new one.

Be forever young.

With so many varieties of dance – each with different tempos, moves, music and styles, it’s good exercise for people of all ages and all fitness levels. Those with physical limitations can alter movements to work with their mobility challenges. Start with a few minutes of stretching and practice a few moves to warm up your muscles. Begin with slower, less demanding rhythms and build up to faster tempos. If you feel fatigue or shortness of breath, sit out a number.

Dance the night away.

If you just want to bust a move, head to the nearest nightclub to show off your be-bopping, hip-hopping or belly-flopping moves. Or turn on the jams at home and get footloose.

Benefits of dancing

* Strengthens muscles and bones. This lowers the risk of arthritis, sprains, and broken bones.

* Increases stamina

* Burns calories (150 to 200 per 30 minutes, depending on tempo)

* Lowers blood pressure and improves cholesterol levels

* Increases flexibility, improves balance, and lowers the risk of falls

* Benefits cardiovascular system and lung capacity

* Releases stress and tension

* Boosts self-confidence

* Elevates mood

Action Step

If you are having trouble picking a dance style, think about the kind of music you like. If it’s country, step into line, square dancing, or swing dancing. YouTube has lots of how-to videos to start you off on the right foot.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
How To Buy Sports Shoes That Fit

Fitness

A carpenter needs a saw, a painter needs a brush, and an accountant needs a calculator. And anyone who’s serious about fitness needs a good pair of shoes (or several, if you’re active in more than one activity besides swimming). The right shoes can make the difference between comfort and discomfort, between safety and injury, between performing well and not performing well.

Consider these factors before you buy activewear shoes.

* Are the shoes suitable for the sport or activity for which you intend to wear them? Walking, hiking, racquetball, tennis, aerobics, and so forth require differently designed footwear. But you may want to consider cross-training shoes, suitable for several different activities.

* Can you wiggle your toes in the shoes while sitting and standing? (You should be able to.)

* Does the widest area of your foot correspond to the widest area of the shoe? (To find out, try this: Stand on a piece of paper, bend down, and trace a line around each shoe with a pencil. Then slip off your shoes, stand in the same place, and trace a line around each foot with a different colored pencil. If at any point the outline of your feet is larger than the outline of your shoes, you’re squeezing some or all of the bones, ligaments and muscles in each foot.)

* Do the inner seams rub against your foot? (They shouldn’t.)

* Does the shoe have a firm heel cradle and arch support?

* Does the shoe provide adequate shock absorption?

* Are the shoes comfortable when you move from side to side or when you walk or jump? Test these movements before you buy.

Good shoes don’t need to be “broken in.” The shoes you buy should be comfortable from the start.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Time To Get Physical

Fitness

Get fit and stay fit.

“Fitness: if it came in a bottle, everybody would have a great body.”

– Cher

Having six pack abs doesn’t come from drinking a six pack, and you don’t need to have six pack abs to be fit. Get fit by making exercise and healthy eating a regular part of your life.

How much exercise do you need?

Each week, adults should do:

A. At least two hours and 30 minutes of moderate aerobic activity, such as brisk walking…OR

B. One hour and 15 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity, such as jogging, aerobic dancing, and jumping rope…OR

C. A combination of activities from A and B

For increased fitness or to lose weight or keep lost weight off, do:

* Five hours of moderate physical activity a week…OR

* Two hours and 30 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity a week

Tips for aerobic activity

* Warm up. Spend five to 10 minutes stretching or doing the aerobic activity at a slower pace. For example, walk at a slower pace if your aerobic activity is brisk walking.

* Aerobic activity. To be aerobic, the activity needs to use large muscles of the lower body and be steady and nonstop for at least 10 minutes at one time. During this time, you should reach your target heart rate. (See chart on this page.)

* Cool down. Choose a slower pace of the activity you were doing or stretch for about five minutes.

Target Heart Rate Zone

Age

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

55

60

65+

Beats per 10 Seconds

20-27

19-26

19-25

18-25

18-24

17-23

17-23

16-22

16-21

15-20

Action Step

In addition to aerobic exercise, do muscle strengthening and stretching exercises on two or more days a week.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Exercise Lowers Breast Cancer Risk

BE FIT

In just 30 minutes a day, a woman can lower her risk of breast cancer. You don’t need special equipment or a gym. Power walking is a good choice to make a difference!

Exercise lowers breast cancer risk by:

* Helping you get to a healthy weight. Being overweight raises the risk of getting breast cancer. This is because fat cells make estrogen that can allow some types of breast cancer cells to grow.

* Boosting your immune system. This could help stop or slow the growth of cancer cells.

Source: National Breast Cancer Foundation

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Know Your Fitness Goals

BE FIT

The reason you exercise and move is unique to you. Knowing your fitness goals will help you stay focused on the types of movements that will provide you the most benefits for your physical, mental, and emotional health.

Fitness goals

* Increased energy

* Better sleep

* Weight loss

* Stress reduction

* Improved strength

* Better balance

* Reduced disease risk

* Joint health

* Increased mobility

* Recovery from injury

* Maintain independence as you age

Identify needs

Reflect on these questions:

* How do I feel when I don’t move or exercise?

* How do I feel when I get more movement?

* Are there parts of my body that cause me pain?

* How might exercise reduce any current or future health problems?

* What do I want my health to look like in the next 5 to 10 years?

Prioritize goals

* Choose 2-3 goals as your main focus.

* Find activities that match your goals.

* Don’t compare yourself to others.

* Connect with other people who have similar goals.

* Reevaluate your goals over time.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026