No Excuse Not to Exercise, Run In the Water

If you can stand up or walk, or move your arm, or breath, you are a candidate for an exercise program.  I believe that anyone can exercise.  In my 12 years of patient care I have never heard an acceptable excuse.  Don't tell me you are too tired.  I don't want to hear about how it hurts.  Whatever your problem save it.  (Cue little violins…)

You can exercise.  If you can contract any muscle, you can exercise.  If you are bed ridden and can only move your eyes, you can exercise.  You see, exercise is simply taking the function that you do have and using it.  Then pushing the limits to improve that function.

If it is painful for you to walk because you have been carrying a lot of extra weight.  There’s good news…fat floats.  You can walk in a pool. 

A nice little study came out this week about exercise.  Researchers studied fifty-seven physically inactive, overweight, and obese men with an average age of 44.  These guys were randomly assigned to exercise three times per week for 12 weeks on either a treadmill or in a pool.  Body composition was measured and there was absolutely no difference between the two groups.

So throw off the excuses and move your body.

You may also like to read:

• Even modest fitness may extend lifespan
• Runners World: How to Run in a Pool

Source: Comparative Efficacy of Water and Land Treadmill