Stand and Shine Magazine Autumn 2015 | Page 35

Whydo I need this much physical activity? The  way  you  use  your  body  and  treat   your  body  NOW  will  have  a  huge  im-­‐ pact   on   your   body   when   your   older.   Meaning,   if   you   take   care   of   your   body   when   you’re   young,   then   you   will   have   much   greater   chances   of   having  a  healthier  and  stronger  body   when   you’re   older.   And   sadly,   physi-­‐ cal   inac7vity   is   a   MAJOR   risk   factor   ➡ ➡ ➡ ➡ ➡ ➡ ➡ ➡ ➡ Improves  your  sleep Fuels  your  brain Gives  your  body  an  energy  boost Improves  your  aItude Longer  life  expectancy Reduces  risk  of  diabetes  and  some  cancers Creates  higher  self-­‐esteem Reduces  blood  pressure   Helps  maintain  a  healthy  weight for  many  preventable  diseases. The  AHA  shares  these  benefits  of  an   ac7ve  lifestyle:   Who has the time to exercise this much? We   know   that   your   life   is   already   filled   with   homework,   jobs,   church   ac7vi7es,   family   responsi-­‐ bili7es,  and  more.  But  you  are  probably  more  physically  ac7ve  than  you  think!  Do  you  have  a   gym  class  at  school?  Do  you  play  on  a  sports  team?  Do  you  walk  or  ride  your  bike  to  school?   Do  you  have  younger  siblings  that  you  chase  around  the  yard?  Do  you  have  a  dance  class?  You   are   probably   more   physically   ac7ve   than   you   think,   you   just   haven’t   been   paying   aZen7on.   And   don’t   worry   about   par7cipa7ng   in   a   consecu7ve   60   minutes   of   physical   ac7vity   -­‐   a   20   min-­‐ ute   walk   here   plus   40   minutes   at   dance   would   create   your   daily   total!   You   can   break   it   up   into   smaller  increments  and  s7ll  reach  the  needed  amount! 35