The weight management benefits of exercise are undeniable. That’s why incorporating regular physical activity that you enjoy is an important component of the TAIslim System.
By Rick Handel, Chief Product Officer
Following holiday celebrations, thoughts often turn to the New Year and getting in shape. That means getting active. Regular physical activity over months and years produces long-term health benefits and reduces the risk of many diseases. The weight management benefits of physical activity are undeniable. That’s why exercise is such an important part of the TAIslim Total Body System.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), adults can gain substantial health benefits from 2½ hours a week of moderate intensity aerobic physical activity. For most people, light daily activities such as shopping, cooking, or doing the laundry don’t count toward the guidelines. Why? Your body isn’t working hard enough to get your heart rate up. Moderate-intensity aerobic activity means you’re working hard enough to raise your heart rate and break a sweat. One way to tell is that you’ll be able to talk, but not sing, the words to your favorite song.
There are plenty of ways to get the benefits of moderate aerobic exercise. One easy way is to walk at a brisk pace for 30 minutes per day as we recommend in the TAIslim System. Other great aerobic exercises include water aerobics, riding a bike on level ground or with few hills, and playing doubles tennis. You don’t even need to do all 30 minutes at once; you’ll get good benefits even if you break up your exercise into two 15-minute sessions.
Those of you who are mathematically inclined may have already figured out that 30 minutes per day works out to 3½ hours per week, which is an hour more than the CDC guidelines. I suppose you could choose to take the weekend off, but if you’re really committed to your weight loss, the extra hour of weekly exercise will pay big dividends for your TAIslim success!
Another way to help your weight loss efforts is by doing activities at least two days a week to strengthen muscles, as muscle helps you to burn more calories every day. These activities should work all the major muscle groups of your body (legs, hips, back, chest, abdomen, shoulders, and arms). There are many ways you can strengthen your muscles, whether it’s at home or the gym. You’ll also be helping to strengthen your bones and joints.
The CDC suggests that you try some of these muscle-strengthening activities:
- Heavy yard work (lifting, carrying, and snow shoveling)
- Push-ups on the floor or wall
- Sit-ups
- Working with resistance bands (long rubber strips that stretch)
- Lifting hand-held weights
Whatever forms of exercise you choose, make sure to pick activities that you enjoy. Track your time and progress in a journal, and try to find someone to exercise with so you’ll keep each other motivated.
The CDC has also found that children aged 6 years and older benefit from an hour or more of physical activity every day. Most of the hour should be either moderate or vigorous aerobic physical activity and should include vigorous physical activity at least three days a week. The other part of the hour should include weight-bearing exercise to strengthen bones and muscles on at least three days per week.
To learn more about the many health benefits of physical activity, please visit the CDC website.
Before starting the TAIslim Total Body System or any weight-control program, it is advisable to consult a physician.
