This information is excerpted from the book, Recapture Your Health, by Walt Stoll, M.D. and Jan DeCourtney, C.M.T. Feel free to use up to 10 tips in an article or story as long as you quote the source and ordering information for the book (at bottom).

Health Tip No. 5: Regularly Enjoy the Right Exercise for You

If exercise ranks as an activity that you avoid, it may be the single most important thing you can do for your health. This is because people tend to avoid doing the very thing that would help them the most. The important ting is just to begin exercising regularly, even if you choose something simple and easy. Today, with all the different kinds of exercise available (even some you can do while sitting on the couch watching TV), you have many choices for starting an exercise program. Most people who begin one kind of exercise eventually become interested in adding other types. After becoming aware of how good it makes them feel, and the other encouraging messages they receive from their muscles and body, they want more.

Many people hold a deep and ingrained belief that vigorous exercise is the only really healthy kind of exercise. But it is not necessarily best for meeting all health goals. Non-aerobic exercise (anaerobics) includes activities that don t get your heart going fast, like gentle rebounding (mini-trampoline), progressive strength exercise, non-aerobic walking, t ai chi, yoga, stretching, and Alexander Technique. Much variety exists, so you may select one or several types of exercise that are right for you.

Choose one or more activities that you enjoy. Get a good book and become knowledgeable about it, take a class, etc. Start slowly, especially if you are older, have been ill, or are overweight. Regular exercise is best, every day or three times a week, in 20 minute intervals. But do whatever you can. Listen to your body and slow down or change exercises if necessarily. Be sure to have fun with this and really enjoy the time you exercise!

Walt Stoll, MD, and Jan DeCourtney, CMT, are co-authors of the book, Recapture Your Health: A Complete Step-by-Step Program to Reverse Your Chronic Symptoms and Create Lasting Wellness, (ISBN 0965317129), available at local and online bookstores, and from Sunrise Health Coach Publications, 1-877-357-9355 or www.sunrisehealthcoach.com.