Be Active and Stay Healthy! Fitness is Fun!

Regular physical activity can reduce your risk of diabetes, heart disease, and other serious illnesses.  Being active is one of the best things you can do for your health. Any amount of regular physical activity is better than none at all. Every bit counts!  In addition, physical activity does not have to be strenuous or exhausting to be beneficial. 

To be healthy, all adults should be physically active for at least 30 minutes a day on 5 or more days each week. If you have not been active for a long time, you may need to start slowly and then work your way up as you become more fit. For instance, if you do not feel up to being active for 30 minutes, try being active for 10 minutes. Then increase your activity time by 5 minutes each week until you reach 30 minutes a day.

Think about what you already like to do and look for ways to make those activities more physical. If you enjoy spending time with your family, play with your children. If you enjoy outdoors, work in your garden. If you love spending time with your dog, turn his daily walk into your workout. Social time with friends can be activity time. Take a fitness class such as belly bancing or Zumba. You can go bowling, play tennis, try golf, take a hike, or go kayaking.

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.

Visit the Fun Stuff page to learn more about places to play in Charlotte County.

Visit the biking page for bike safety tips and local places to ride.