The more physically active you are, the more your body will benefit.

General Information

Living an active lifestyle will give you a wide range of health benefits.  The amount of exercise you need every week depends on your age.  Most adults need at least 2½ hours of moderate exercise each week to achieve health benefits. It’s okay for you to start small and work towards a full exercise routine that can provide you with lifelong benefits.

Find an activity that works for you and your lifestyle! Some examples include:  jogging or walking, attending a yoga class, dancing, “exergaming” (Wii Fit or Just Dance), participating on a sports team and much more.

Exercising does not always have to cost money and can be gradually added to your daily activities.  Take the stairs instead of elevators or park further away from entrances.  There are even apps you can download on your phone or tablet to help you work towards your fitness goals.

Remember! It’s always important to practice safe exercise routines and to talk to your doctor if you have any concerns.

Resources

YMCA of Maine has over seventeen locations across the state. The YMCA offers sliding scale membership fees which makes this an affordable choice for a variety of exercise and health services.  Find a YMCA in your community at www.ymcasofsouthernmaine.org

Want to find local exercising events you can join or additional resources on being physically fit? Visit Maine in Motion at www.maineinmotion.org.

Find tips on getting active at www.heart.org. This is a place to get good information on getting started with exercising and ways you can make working out more enjoyable for yourself.  You can even take a “Getting Fit” Quiz!

Every step counts! Go to www.choosemyplate.gov and select their “Healthy Eating Tips” tab to find their “Tips for Increasing Physical Activity”; a list of exercising tips that you can build into your day-to-day life.