A physical therapy facility in my town uses the slogan, "Movement Is Life." Obviously, movement is good for you if you want to lose weight and maintain a loss. But movement is beneficial in other ways. It gives you flexibility and elasticity, which make you more resilient so you can withstand change and injury.
Be honest with yourself. How often do you exercise? As I look around at people who are my age, only a tiny, tiny number of them actually exercise. It's no wonder so many end up with aches, pains, and depression. Because of their lack of movement, their tissues become like old, cold rubber. Rubber is supposed to be flexible, but when it's old and cold, it loses its elasticity and becomes more prone to cracking.
The good news is it's never too late to warm up your muscles and improve your overall health. If you're at work right now and you're allowed to take a break, get up from in front of your computer and go for a walk. Go up and down the stairs a couple times or go outside and walk around. Or, if you're home, grab a family member or friend and go for a brisk walk around your neighborhood. If the weather is bad and you can't go outside, turn on some music and dance. Then, after you get a little aerobic exercise, gently stretch your muscles.
Small victories eventually add up to larger victories. So, if you haven't exercised in a while, check with your physician about your limitations, and start low and go slow so you don't get hurt by doing too much too fast. Gradually build up your endurance, and, soon, you'll begin to show signs of life again.
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