Why fitness matters

Exercise is an important part of a lifetime of good health! Exercising is also fun and is something you can do with friends. It also can help you:

    * Feel less stressed

    * Boost your self-esteem

    * Feel more ready to learn in school

    * Keep a healthy weight

    * Build and keep healthy bones, muscles, and joints

There are many ways it can help you, both today and in the future

Short-term, long-term benefits

Short-term benefits of exercise are the body's responses right after starting. The long-term benefits are improvements that occur over weeks, months, and years from regular exercising or training.

Some short-term benefits include:

    * Helps you feel good about yourself

    * Relaxes and refreshes your body

    * Gives you a break from daily routines and worries

Some long-term benefits include:

    * Lowers high blood pressure

    * Helps you lose weight and gain strength the healthy way by lowering body fat and increasing muscle

    * Lowers risk of cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and osteoporosis (bone loss)

Most people can benefit from exercise. In fact, making physical activity a regular part of your life early on is one of the most important things you can do to improve your health. If you have an injury or think there is a health reason why you may not be able to exercise safely, talk with your doctor before starting a new exercise program or sport. You should also talk with a doctor first if you have:

    * Asthma

    * High blood pressure

    * Heart trouble

    * Dizzy spells

    * Extreme breathlessness after physical activity

    * Arthritis or bone problems

    * Severe muscle, ligament, or tendon problems

    * Fatigue or feel tired most of the time

Get moving!

The more time you spend in front of the television or playing video games, the less time you have to be active. Not being active is called sedentary (say: sed-un-tair-ee). Leading a sedentary lifestyle can cause weight gain and even obesity (dangerously high weight), which can lead to type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol levels, and high blood pressure. These three health issues can hurt your heart and make it easier for you to get certain diseases. Make physical activity a regular part of your life. It can help you protect your health!

How do you know if your weight is at an unhealthy level or if you are dealing with obesity? You can measure your Body Mass Index (BMI).