Exercise & spinal health
Another important pillar of health is exercise. Yes I tend to be an exercise nut (currently training for marathon #8) and while that may not be the best form of exercise for everyone, you need to be getting 3-5 days of exercise a week. I’m not a big fan of just 3 days, since there are 7 days in a week which is less than 50% (exercising only 3 of 7 days), and that is basically failing! Increase your exercise to 5-6 days a week if you want results.
Exercise should be at least 30-45minutes. While it is better to do it in one session, if you need to walk fast for ten minutes three times a day, then do that. However, whether it is fast walking, biking, swimming, weight training, tennis or aerobics, just get active. The intensity of the workout should at least cause you to break a sweat on the forehead, under the arms, and along the spinal column. This amount of exercise stimulates gastric fire, improves digestion, and relieves constipation. It also induces relaxation and sound sleep. Exercising helps to eliminate toxins, reduces fat (weight control) and just makes you feel good.
Anyone I know who exercises a lot also sleeps well. If you suffer from insomnia — start an exercise program.
If you don’t “have time”, there are several great home programs out there for you to follow — P90X & Chalean Extreme are two to name a few. Call me and I’ll put you in touch with someone who can help you with those programs.
As a side note: Aerobic exercise helps keep you heart and lungs healthy. Resistance training helps build strength and endurance. Over-exercising may cause dehydration and breathlessness, even chest pain and muscle aches, eventually leading to arthritis, sciatica or heart conditions.
No matter what you do, just make sure you do it. You are only going to stick with an exercise program that you like, so make sure you like it. Don’t run if you hate running because you will eventually quit. Don’t lift weights if you hate it, because you will eventually quit. Find something you like and stick with it.
It will literally save your life.
