Be Active
- Do you want good health for you and your family?
- Do you want more energy to get you through the day?
- Do you want to reduce your risk of serious problems like obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain types of cancer?
If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, there are two easy things you can do every day:
- Get at least 30 minutes of physical activity.
- Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.
Why is it good to be physically active?
Physical activity can be a real lifesaver. It can:
- Give you more energy.
- Lower stress and help you relax.
- Help you get to and keep a healthy body weight.
- Lower the risk of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and certain types of cancer.
- Help build and keep healthy bones, muscles, and joints.
- Help you concentrate better at work.
- Help your child focus better at school.
How much physical activity?
- To take care of your health and reduce the risk of serious health problems, you need at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity every day.
- To keep weight under control, you need 60 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity on most days of the week.
- If you lost weight and want to keep it off, you need 60 to 90 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity every day.
- Children need at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day to maintain their health.
What is moderate-intensity physical activity?
It gets you up and moving, and makes your heart beat faster. Examples include:
- Brisk walking
- Biking
- Taking the stairs
- Dancing
- Raking leaves
What is vigorous-intensity physical activity?
It makes you breathe hard and sweat. Examples include:
- Running or jogging
- Playing soccer or basketball
- Fast dancing
- Fast biking
- Swimming
There are lots of fun ways to get physical activity throughout your day. Check out these tips to get your family moving.