Forming the Exercise Habit

I am concerned about the link between lack of exercise and various diseases and want to form some new habits to improve my health. Heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, the three major diseases in the United States have been reported to be the result of physical inactivity, overeating, and the ingestion of harmful substances. A sedentary lifestyle is especially associated with coronary heart disease mortality, somewhat more for men than for women, and this risk apparently can be minimized or reversed with a sensible exercise program. It seems that physical activity can be a protective factor against coronary heart disease, a finding known since Morris published a report in The Lancet almost 40 years ago which showed that highly active conductors on the London buses had significantly fewer heart attacks than their coworkers, the bus drivers.

It is known that overall aerobic exercise, especially reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, aerobic exercise including activity that is continuous and rhythmic, making use of the large muscle groups, and requiring extra oxygen for long periods of time. This type of workout requires the heart to work harder in order to supply the body with the additional oxygen (Hummer, 1993, p. 35). Although I have internal emotional and mental resistance for starting this type of program in my own life, I do understand that excellent health begins with a personal decision to make changes in my lifestyle and behavior.

Related Essays

Ancient Greek Virtrues and Modern Film .... The impulse to exercise rational faculties in the service .... the complex of general ideas forming the imperishable .... The habit of mind honoring reason that emerged .... (6010 24 )

The Gothic cathedral movement .... required this type of mental exercise, but the .... Panofsky's argument that the mental habit of Scholasticism .... urban centers many adapted by forming themselves into .... (3155 13 )

Methodological Eclecticism in Tesol .... discussion among teachers", though valuable, is often a futile exercise in the .... The Silent Way challenged the idea that language learning equates habit forming. .... (4188 17 )

Eclectic Approach to Teaching English .... discussion among teachers", though valuable, is often a futile exercise in the .... The Silent Way challenged the idea that language learning equates habit forming. .... (4128 17 )

Kant's Ethical Philosophy .... In Aristotle's view, training in ethical habit, or virtue .... sense, because it is the actual exercise of complete .... on the mind's experience of forming an ethical .... (4659 19 )

ort in this area. I decide to form a closer relationship with a neighbor who has indicated a similar interest in making a lifestyle improvement. Her children are about the same ages as mine. They go to the same school, and she and I have many things in common. If I had only one significant person who would support me in my exercise aims, I know I will do fine (Godin, Valois, & Lepage, 1993, p. 98). I acquaint myself with mental techniques to increase awareness of thoughts and automatic actions that follow the unproductive thoughts. I try to identify situations, moods, and people that trigger my old ways. No longer can I sit down on the couch with a snack and the TV remote control at the end of a demanding day, simply because I have thought for years that this is the thing to do at the end of the day. I feel a little nervous as I contemplate making major changes in my habits, but I recognize that this anxiety is normal when making drastic changes in my routine. I take a thorough look at my background and lifestyle and agree to share this information with my trusted support person. This person could just as well be a physician, counselor, or trainer, but I have no severe physical or emotional limitations, and this person

Category: Medical - F