As we journey into the New Year, the most common and popular health-related goals are:
1. Get more exercise
2. Lose weight
The common thread in these goals is the idea of more exercise and a healthy diet can result in positive health outcomes and weight loss. This article will start to extend our thought of what exercise means and how to think of training as a plan to achieve health-related goals.
Exercise vs. Training:
Exercise is defined as “activity requiring physical effort carried out to sustain or improve health and fitness." Exercise can include a wide range of activities from walking to yard work and walking up and down the stairs - the goal being to improve or sustain fitness. The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommend a minimum of 150 minutes of physical activity per week to support overall health. Bottom-line, exercise is something we should strive to make a part of a healthy lifestyle.
Training defines the goals and purpose of our exercise. Training is a systematic plan or program to measure performance and progress to achieve a specific goal.
Whether your goal is to lose weight, increase strength or some other fitness-related goal, the best way to achieve this goal is through training.
Tips to Start a Training Program:
- Consult with your doctor or health care professional
- Set realistic and achievable goals (stay away from any programs that emphasize short-term or quick results)
- Incorporate training into your daily routine (make it fun!)
As a part of a total-body training regimen, be sure to incorporate exercises that support flexibility and mobility.
