‘Move It To Lose It.’ I love this phrase because it is so true. Successful weight loss happens when you eat healthy and engage in regular physical activity. The 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines (PAG) from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is as follows:
150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity combined with muscle-strengthening activities on 2 or more days a week
OR
75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity per week combined with muscle-strengthening activities on 2 or more days a week
OR
An equivalent mix of moderate- and vigorous-intensity aerobic activity combined with muscle-strengthening activities on 2 or more days a week
Facts about Physical Activity from the CDC:
- 1 in 5 adults meet the recommended physical activity guidelines.
- People who are physically active tend to live longer and have lower risk for heart disease, stroke, Diabetes, Depression and some cancers.
- Inactive adults have a higher risk for early death, heart disease, stroke, Diabetes, depression and some cancers.
- More non-Hispanic white adults (23%) meet the physical activity guidelines than non-Hispanic black adults (18%) and Hispanic adults (16%).
- Men (54%) are more likely than women (46%) to meet the physical activity guidelines.
- Younger adults are more likely to meet the physical activity guidelines.
- Adults with more education are more likely to meet the physical activity guidelines.
- Adults whose family income is above the poverty level are more likely to meet the physical activity guidelines.
If losing weight and getting fit are two of your 2016 New Year’s resolutions, keep in mind that adults need 30 minutes of moderate physical activity 5 days per week to maintain a healthy weight. In other words, you’ve got to “Move It To Lose It.’