USF-COM
Department
of Family Medicine
Patient Education Information on...
Index of
Patient Education Topics
Introduction
Regular exercise can be one the most important ways you can improve your
health. Regular exercise will decrease your chance of developing
diabetes, or heart disease, and can help lower your cholesterol.
If you’re overweight, exercise and diet are important ways to lose weight.
Exercise conditions the heart and lungs and will increase oxygen to all
the organs of your body.
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Goals
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Most importantly, START SLOW, this is to be a modification in your
lifestyle. So start with even a few minutes every day and increase
once comfortable.
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Set realistic expectations - you won’t shed pounds instantly and
your endurance may take a while to build up, it is important to make exercise
part of your routine.
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Do what you like. Not everyone is made the same, and people
have many different interests, if you enjoy running, walking, biking, swimming,
just to name a few, it is important to keep active and keep doing it.
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Exercise with a partner, having someone to motivate you can be important
as well as a safety factor.
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Hints to better health
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Find ways to work exercise into your busy schedule:
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Use stairs instead of elevator
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Park farther from door and walk.
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Make plans on weekends to do something physically active.
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Consider walking to the store
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Change to different exercises occassionally to keep from getting bored.
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Schedule time for your health
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Get off bus one stop early and walk
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