Exercise can greatly reduce your risk of many chronic diseases and improve your overall health. For many people, however, getting more physically active -- or sticking with it -- is difficult. How can you make regular exercise a part of your life?

This guide is designed to help people, step by step, put a successful exercise plan into place. The health benefits will begin almost immediately!

I. Let's Get Started
Step 1: Welcome
Step 2: The benefits of exercise
Step 3: Before you begin
II. Intensity and Type
Step 4: How much exercise is enough?
Step 5: Types of exercise
Step 6: Why use weights?
III. Safety and Comfort
Step 7: Warm up, cool down, and stretch
Step 8: Stay safe
IV. Motivation
Step 9: Just getting out the door
Step 10: Overcoming roadblocks

Learn More

Dress appropriately

Exercise equipment

Exercise and motherhood

Exercise reduces falls among the elderly

Help your child stay active

How do I find my target heart zone?

Make exercise fun

The stages of change - where are you?

Stretches

Types of exercises

Weather-related tips


Helpful Handouts

My exercise motivation - worksheet


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Review Date: 6/28/2011
Reviewed By: Jeffrey Heit, MD, Internist with special emphasis on preventive health, fitness and nutrition, Philadelphia VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
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