Some days watching the Biggest Loser on television and walking to the kitchen for a snack is the closest we get to actual physical activity.
Studies have shown that busy lifestyles can lead people to eat more food and exercise less.
Anyone with a busy family life knows that it’s nearly impossible to find time to workout, yet we know just how important it is for the whole family to stay fit.
According to the government, on average we should get two and a half hours of exercise per week which could be something as simple as walking the dog.
But before you lace up your walking shoes and leash up the family dog for a nice leisurely walk, consider this: A recent study claims that more vigorous exercise may keep your cells from aging.
The German study looked at fifty-year-olds who were endurance athletes and found that their appearance seemed biologically more youthful. Physically fit and younger looking – a win-win, right?
Not so fast. Before you double knot those sneakers and run a marathon, mull this over. A study recently presented at the Radiological Society of North America’s annual meeting says that high levels of physical activity could put us at risk of osteoarthritis and knee damage.
Fortunately there’s a new study by the American Council on Exercise that asserts the Wii Fit is not a vigorous workout at all. So you get to move around a little and not worry so much about those knees while playing with the kids who, according to the government, need even more exercise than the average adult.
So with all these mixed messages what should we do?
Maybe we should stop reading studies and just stick with our original idea. Grab the kids, the spouse, and the family pooch because a study by Bob Martin, a British pet healthcare company, found that the average dog walker exercises more than those who frequent the fitness club.
The study found that the average dog gets walked for just over eight hours a week while gym-goers average a mere one hour and twenty minutes per week. And that’s nothing to bark at.
While adding regular exercise to your daily routine may add to your already jam-packed day, it may just reduce some stress and can help you lose a little weight. A good thing, too, because a study just published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition claims that exercise can actually make us feel hungrier.
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